The Cow

Before Islam, some husbands would swear not to have romantic relations with their wives for months or even years.

This practice, called *ila'*, was very difficult for women, because they couldn't enjoy their husbands or marry someone else.

However, verses 226-227 put a limit to *ila'*, making it only 4 months.

So, if a husband swears not to touch his wife, let's say for 2 months, then keeps his word, he doesn't have to make up for a broken

oath.

But if he has a romantic relation with her during those 2 months, he should feed 10 poor people or fast 3 days.

If the *ila'* period continues for over 4 months, the wife has the right to ask for divorce.

*Ila'* should be avoided altogether.

If the couple has issues in the marriage, they should seek counseling or professional help.

If they choose to separate, the rulings for proper divorce (mentioned in verses 228-233) should be followed.

{Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}

The Prophet (PBUH) reported that Iblis sets his throne on water, then sends his troops off.

Those who cause the most trouble become the closest to him.

They come back one by one, saying 'I did this,' or 'I did that.

' But Iblis will say, 'You have done nothing.

' Then one of them comes and says, 'I didn't leave that man until I separated him and his wife.

' Iblis brings him closer and says, 'You have done well!

' (Imam Muslim) Some scholars say that Iblis is not excited when his minions tell him that they have caused someone to steal or cheat, because these actions

affect only individuals.

But he feels happy when they tell him that they have caused couples to divorce, because this affects families.

If enough families fall apart, the whole society will collapse.

Islam aims at protecting Muslim families.

Divorce is allowed only as the last option.

Couples are encouraged to seek help if they go through issues in their marriage.

If they can't make peace, they are advised to separate properly.

Divorce rules can be a bit technical, so here is an easy summary of proper Islamic divorce (talaq):

1.

A husband shouldn't divorce his wife during her period or after they have a romantic relation.

2.

When it's the right time, he should give her only 1 out of 3 counts of divorce, not all 3 at once.

3.

If he's extremely angry to the point that he doesn't know what he's saying, divorce doesn't count.

4.

Divorce counts during pregnancy, but they can get back together any time before childbirth.

This means that if the husband divorces his 2-month pregnant wife, he still has around 7 months to take her back.

5.

If he divorces her properly and she's not pregnant, then they have 3 monthly cycles to get back together.

If he takes her back during this waiting period, then they are still husband and wife (but they have lost 1 out of 3 counts of divorce).

If this period expires without getting back together, she has the right to marry anyone - including him - with a new contract and marriage gift.

6.

If he divorces her for the 2nd time, then they can get together during the 3-month waiting period.

Or if this period expires, she can marry him or someone else with a new contract and marriage gift.

7.

If he divorces her for the 3rd time, then he can't take her back.

8.

When her 3-month waiting period is over, she can marry another man.

If she and her new husband decide to separate after living together, she can re-marry her ex-husband after 3 monthly cycles.

We need to understand that if someone is divorced, it doesn't mean he or she is a bad person.

In many cases, both the husband and wife are good, but things didn't work out between them.

In any case, divorce should happen properly and kindly, as Allah says in this surah.

After divorce, the couple shouldn't become enemies, spreading negative information about each other, especially if they have children.

The husband should provide for his wife during her 3-month waiting period as well as his children moving forward.

If a husband divorces his wife after living together or having a husband-wife relationship, then she deserves all of her marriage gift.

However, if divorce happens before living together or having a romantic relationship, she deserves half of the marriage gift they have agreed on.

If they haven't agreed on a gift, then she should give her something suitable according to his financial ability.

Someone may ask, 'Why are verses 238-239 (which talk about salah) mentioned here within the verses that cover marriage and divorce?

' According to Imam Ibn 'Ashur, perhaps:

1.

Allah wants to remind couples to always keep Him in mind during their marriage and after their divorce, so that no one will be treated unfairly.

The Quran (29:45) teaches us that sincere salah should stop people from doing what is wrong.

2.

Couples are reminded that their relationship with Allah is more important than the money and issues mentioned in the previous verses.

In other words, their personal problems shouldn't distract them from salah.

3.

People are advised to secure a place in Jannah by praying, just like they try to secure their rights in marriage.

Scholars of fiqh (Islamic rulings) have different opinions on what is meant by the 'middle salah,' which is mentioned in verse 238.

Many scholars agree that it's one of the 5 daily prayers.

For Imam Malik (the head of one of the 4 major fiqh schools), it's Fajr salah.

According to Imam An-Nawawi and many scholars, most likely it's 'Asr salah (the late afternoon prayer), based on an authentic hadith reported by Imam Muslim.

Someone may ask, 'Why are there 4 fiqh schools in Islam and why do they have different opinions on the same issues?

' These are brilliant questions.

Consider the following points:

The goal of the Islamic schools of fiqh was to put together practical legal rulings based on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

The 4 major schools of fiqh were established by: Imam Abu Hanifah (d.

150 after Hijrah, A.

H.

), Imam Malik (d.

179 A.

H.

), Imam Ash-Shafi'i (d.

204 A.

H.

), and Imam Ahmad (d.

241 A.

H.

).

There were other important schools established by Imam Al-Awza'i (d.

157 A.

H.

), Imam Sufyan Ath-Thawri (d.

161 A.

H.

), Imam Al-Laith ibn Sa'd (d.

175 A.

H.

), and others.

However, their students were not as active in promoting their teachings as the students of these 4 major scholars.

The Hanafi mazhab (fiqh school) is practiced by many Muslims, mostly in Türkiye, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and many Asian countries.

The second most popular school is the Shafi'i mazhab, which is practiced mostly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and East Africa.

As for the Maliki mazhab, it's practiced mainly in Central and Northern African countries like Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, etc.

The Hanbali mazhab is mainly practiced in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Two or more mazhabs may be followed in the same country.

For example, the Hanafi and Shafi'i mazhabs are widely practiced in Egypt.

These mazhabs don't disagree on the foundations of Islam.

For example, they would never argue if Muhammad ﷺ is the last Prophet, salah is 5 times a day, Maghrib is 3 rak'ahs, Ramadan is the month of

fasting, and so on.

However, they may disagree on smaller issues.

For example, praying 2 optional rak'ahs before sunset, giving zakatul-fitr (at the end of Ramadan) as money, moving your finger in tashahhud, and so on.

If a ruling is mentioned clearly in the Quran or the Sunnah, then usually there is no disagreement.

They all stated that if any of their rulings went against an authentic hadith from the Prophet ﷺ, people should go with what the Prophet ﷺ said.

If the ruling is not mentioned in the Quran, they may have different opinions because:

1.

They may disagree on whether or not the hadith is authentic.

2.

They may disagree on whether or not the ruling mentioned in a hadith was replaced by another (naskh).

3.

They may disagree on the meaning of an authentic hadith.

For example, if the Prophet ﷺ said, 'Do this!

', for some it may mean 'You must do it!

', while for others it means 'It's good if you do it.

' The same is true for 'Don't do that!

' It may be understood as 'It's haram,' or 'It's better not to do it.

'

4.

Maybe each of 2 schools has an authentic hadith on the same issue, because the Prophet ﷺ did something in 2 different ways to show us that both

are correct.

For example, one hadith says that he ﷺ prayed 10 rak'ahs sunnah in total before or after the 5 daily prayers, whereas another puts the number at 12.

Both hadiths are correct because each of the companions reported what he or she saw.

You can practice any of these mazhabs because all of them follow closely in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ, the Imam of all imams.