When it comes to flipping the scripture to suit men’s ego, Islam is no different than Christianity, Judaism or other faiths. Instead of looking down upon ourselves, we need to find ways to restore Islam to what Quraan guides us.
I wrote an article on the deviant practice of triple Talaq that cause my friend Mohammad Irtaza to compile verses from Quraan. Those who are familiar with American laws of divorce find them in tune with Quraan; serving justice to both men and women.
As a habit, I have randomly checked the translations provided and have doubled on some with translations from Muhammad Asad. After debating and chasing a few Neocons for nearly a decade, and managing the Quraan conference in 2010, I have come to practice what I preach – read the actual Quraan, and check at least three different translations to ensure that it makes sense. Quraan is a common sense book of guidance to me.
If the words don’t make sense, then the problem is translations and not the word of God. Men and women are each other’s garments, declares the Quraan. Meaning both are equally responsible for each other’s joy, care, kindness and happiness. No one was burdened more than the other.
Mike Ghouse committed to nurturing the pluralistic values of Quraan and Islam. Please visit our mother site – www.IslamTogetherfoundation.com
Garment verse
Foundation of marriage
Marriage is a bond between man and woman. God Almighty discourages divorce as understood from many verses of the Quran.
God Almighty dictates a pre-divorce interim for four months and the reason is stated very clearly in the Quran.
[2:226] Those who intend to divorce their wives shall wait four months (cooling off); if they change their minds and reconcile, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.
2:226 (Asad) Those who take an oath that they will not approach their wives shall have four months of grace; and if they go back [on their oath] -behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
[2:227] If they go through with the divorce, then GOD is Hearer, Knower.
2:227 (Asad) But if they are resolved on divorce -behold, God is all-hearing, all-knowing.
[4:35] If a couple fears separation, you shall appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family; if they decide to reconcile, GOD will help them get together. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
4:35 (Asad) And if you have reason to fear that a breach might occur between a [married] couple, appoint an arbiter from among his people and an arbiter from among her people; if they both want to set things aright, God may bring about their reconciliation. Behold, God is indeed all-knowing, aware.
[30:21]. Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think.
God Almighty also dictates a post-divorce interim and the reason is stated very clearly. Additionally, woman's right after divorce is reserved!
[2:228] The divorced women shall wait three menstruations (before marrying another man). It is not lawful for them to conceal what GOD creates in their wombs, if they believe in GOD and the Last Day. (In case of pregnancy,) the husband's wishes shall supersede the wife's wishes, if he wants to remarry her. The women have rights, as well as obligations, equitably. Thus, the man's wishes prevail (in case of pregnancy). GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
[65:5] This is GOD's command that He sends down to you. Anyone who reverences GOD, He remits his sins, and rewards him generously.
[2:231] If you divorce the women, once they fulfill their interim (three menstruations), you shall allow them to live in the same home amicably, or let them leave amicably.Do not force them to stay against their will, as a revenge. Anyone who does this wrongs his own soul. Do not take GOD's revelations in vain. Remember GOD's blessings upon you, and that He sent down to you the scripture and wisdom to enlighten you. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is aware of all things.
2:231 (Asad) And so, when you divorce women and they are about to reach the end of their waiting-term, then either retain them in a fair manner or let them go in a fair manner. But do not retain them against their will in order to hurt [them]: for he who does so sins indeed against himself. And do not take [these] messages of God in a frivolous spirit; and remember the blessings with which God has graced you, and all the revelation and the wisdom which He has bestowed on you from on high in order to admonish you thereby; and remain conscious of God, and know that God has full knowledge of everything.
[2:232] If you divorce the women, once they fulfill their interim, do not prevent them from remarrying their husbands, if they reconcile amicably. This shall be heeded by those among you who believe in GOD and the Last Day. This is purer for you, and more righteous. GOD knows, while you do not know.
[2:233] Divorced mothers shall nurse their infants two full years, if the father so wishes. The father shall provide the mother's food and clothing equitably. No one shall be burdened beyond his ability. No mother shall be harmed on account of her infant, nor shall the father be harmed because of his infant. (If the father dies), his inheritor shall assume these responsibilities. If the infant's parents mutually agree to part, after due consultation, they commit no error by doing so. You commit no error by hiring nursing mothers, so long as you pay them equitably. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is Seer of everything you do.
[65:6] You shall allow them to live in the same home in which they lived with you, and do not make life so miserable for them that they leave on their own. If they are pregnant, you shall spend on them until they give birth. If they nurse the infant, you shall pay them for this service. You shall maintain the amicable relations among you. If you disagree, you may hire another woman to nurse the child.
65:6 (Asad) [Hence,] let the women [who are undergoing a waiting-period] live in the same manner as you live yourselves, In accordance with your means; and do not harass them with a view to making their lives a misery. And if they happen to be with child, spend freely on them until they deliver their burden; and if they nurse your offspring [after the divorce has become final], give them their [due] recompense; and take counsel with one another in a fair manner [about the child's future]. And if both of you find it difficult [that the mother should nurse the child], let another woman nurse it on behalf of him [who has begotten it].
[65:7] The rich husband shall provide support in accordance with his means, and the poor shall provide according to the means that GOD bestowed upon him. GOD does not impose on any soul more than He has given it. GOD will provide ease after difficulty.
A post-divorce interim is not required in the following situation.
[33:49] O you who believe, if you married believing women, then divorced them before having intercourse with them, they do not owe you any waiting interim (before marrying another man). You shall compensate them equitably, and let them go amicably.
God Almighty discourages divorce and divorce may be retracted twice.
Marriage is a sacred bond between man and woman and therefore, should be taken very seriously! The couple may not get another chance to remarry each other after third divorce, because of the condition they need to meet as stated in verse 2:230 below!
[2:229] Divorce may be retracted twice. The divorced woman shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. It is not lawful for the husband to take back anything he had given her. However, the couple may fear that they may transgress GOD's law. If there is fear that they may transgress GOD's law, they commit no error if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are GOD's laws; do not transgress them. Those who transgress GOD's laws are the unjust.
[2:230] If he divorces her (for the third time), it is unlawful for him to remarry her, unless she marries another man, then he divorces her. The first husband can then remarry her, so long as they observe GOD's laws. These are GOD's laws; He explains them for people who know.
2:230 (Asad) And if he divorces her [finally], she shall thereafter not be lawful unto him unless she first takes another man for husband; then, if the latter divorces her, there shall be no sin upon either of the two if they return to one another-provided that both of them think that they will be able to keep within the bounds set by God: for these are the bounds of God which He makes clear unto people of [innate] knowledge.
My (Mike Ghouse) understanding – God prefers the couple to be married for good, and does not like divorce. In the situation 2:230, it was to discourage men and women to divorce and recognize the consequences of such eventuality. Going through the hoops could do two things – establish that they really want each other and are willing to go through the difficult process, or if there is no such strength in the relationship, it will end there anyways.
People who do not seek guidance from the Quran and follow scholar's opinion are addressed by the following verses.
[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.
[9:34] O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people's money illicitly, and repel from the path of GOD. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of GOD, promise them a painful retribution.
[63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
The Quran is a perfect, complete and fully detailed book for us to follow. The Quran is the only Hadith to be obeyed!
[11:1] A.L.R. This is a scripture whose verses have been perfected, then elucidated. It comes from a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.
[41:3] A scripture whose verses provide the complete details, in an Arabic Quran, for people who know.
[45:6] These are GOD's revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?
Proposed changes in Indian Muslim Personal Laws on Triple Talaq, the article is published at:
