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to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat
and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your
fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques.
Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men
that they may learn self-restraint. 195196197198199200
195 Men and women are each other's garments: i.e., they are for mutual support, mutual comfort, and mutual protection,
fitting into each other as a garment fits the body. A garment also is both for show and concealment. The question of
sex is always delicate to handle: here we are told that even in such matters a clear, open, and honest course is better
than fraud or self-deception. The sex instinct is classed with eating and drinking, an animal thing to be restrained, but
not to be ashamed of. The three things are prohibited during the fast by day, but permitted after the fast is broken at
night till the next fast commences. (2.187)
2:221 - Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters) until they believe; a slave woman who
believes is better than an unbelieving woman even though she allure you. Nor marry (your
girls) to unbelievers until they believe: a man slave who believes is better than un unbeliever
even though he allure you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the fire. But Allah beckons by
His grace to the Garden (of Bliss) and forgiveness and makes His Signs clear to mankind: that
they may celebrate His praise. 246
246 Marriage is a most intimate communion, and the mystery of sex finds its highest fulfilment when intimate spiritual
harmony is combined with the physical link. If religion is at all a real influence in life to both parties or to either party, a
difference in this vital matter must affect the lives of both more profoundly than differences of birth, race, language, or
position in life. It is therefore only right that the parties to be married should have the same spiritual outlook. If two
person love each other, their outlook in the highest things of life must be the same. Note that religion is not here a
mere label or a matter of custom or birth. The two persons may have been born in different religions, but if, by their
mutual influence, they come to see the truth in the same way, they must openly accept the same rites and the same
social brotherhood. Otherwise the position will become impossible individually and socially. (2.221)
2:222 - They ask thee concerning women's courses. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution; so keep
away from women in their courses and do not approach them until they are clean. But when
they have purified themselves ye may approach them in any manner time or place ordained
for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who
keep themselves pure and clean. 247248
247 Azan: hurt, pollution. Both aspects must be remembered. Physical cleanliness and purity make for health, bodily and
spiritual. But the matter should be looked at from the woman's point of view as well as the man's. To her there is
danger of hurt, and she should have every consideration. In the animal world, instinct is a guide which is obeyed.
Man should in this respect be better: he is often worse. (2.222)
248 Haithu: A comprehensive word referring to manner, time, or place. The most delicate matters are here referred to in
the most discreet and yet helpful terms. In sex morality, manner, time, and place are all important: and the highest
standards are set by social laws, by our own refined instinct of mutual consideration, and above all, by the light shed
by the highest Teachers form the wisdom which they receive from our Maker, Who loves purity and cleanliness in all
things. (2.222)
2:223 - Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will. But do
some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear Allah and know that ye are to meet Him (in
the Hereafter) and give (these) good tidings to those who believe. 249250
249 Sex is not a thing to be ashamed of, or to be treated lightly, or to be indulged to excess. It is as solemn a fact as any
in life. It is compared to a husbandman's tilth; it is a serious affair to him; he sows the seed in order to reap the
harvest. But he chooses his own time and mode of cultivation. He does not sow out of season nor cultivate in a
manner which will injure or exhaust the soul. He is wise and considerate and does not run riot. Coming from the
simile to human beings, every kind of mutual consideration is required, but above all, we must remember that even in
these matters there is a spiritual aspect. We must never forget our souls, and that we are responsible to God. (2.223)
250 Our highest spiritual ambition should be the hope of meeting God. To uphold such a hope is to give glad tidings to
people of faith. It would only be unrepentant sinners who would fear the meeting. Note how the most sensuous
matters are discussed frankly, and immediately taken up into the loftiest regions of spiritual upliftment. (2.223)
2:226 - For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives a waiting for four months is
ordained; if then they return Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.
2:227 - But if their intention is firm for divorce Allah heareth and knoweth all things. 253
253 Verses 225-27 should be read together with verse 224. The latter, though it is perfectly
general, leads up to the other three. (2.227)
2:228 - Divorced women shall wait concerningthemselves for three monthly periods nor is it
lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs if they have faith in Allah and
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