DAY 487: Baqarah 226-230

•  Those who swear not to have intercourse with their wives must wait for four months. If they change their mind, then Allah is certainly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.  But if they settle on divorce, then Allah is indeed All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Divorced women must wait three monthly cycles ˹before they can re-marry˺. It is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs, if they ˹truly˺ believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands reserve the right to take them back within that period if they desire reconciliation. Women have rights similar to those of men equitably, although men have a degree ˹of responsibility˺ above them. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.  Divorce may be retracted twice, then the husband must retain ˹his wife˺ with honour or separate ˹from her˺ with grace. It is not lawful for husbands to take back anything of the dowry given to their wives, unless the couple fears not being able to keep within the limits of Allah. So if you fear they will not be able to keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame if the wife compensates the husband to obtain divorce. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah, they are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.  So if a husband divorces his wife ˹three times˺, then it is not lawful for him to remarry her until after she has married another man and then is divorced. Then it is permissible for them to reunite, as long as they feel they are able to maintain the limits of Allah. These are the limits set by Allah, which He makes clear for people of knowledge.
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  This section deals with oaths of abstinence from wives, divorce, waiting periods (iddah), reconciliation, and the limits of Allah.
  These verses are deeply practical and humane. They address the difficult realities of marital breakdown, but always with a door open for reconciliation, and with clear justice for women. The Quran does not shy away from divorce — it regulates it, limits it, and surrounds it with dignity and mercy.
  
  226    Oath of abstinence from wife — four month waiting period. If he returns, Allah is Forgiving.    No indefinite cruelty. Time limit. Door open for reconciliation.
  227    If they resolve on divorce — Allah hears and knows.    Divorce is permitted when marriage cannot be saved.
  228    Waiting period — three cycles. Women have rights similar to men. Husbands have a degree (responsibility).    Legal equality in marriage. Rights and responsibilities balanced.
  229    Divorce twice — keep with kindness or release with goodness. Cannot take back dowry unless she ransoms herself.    Limits on divorce. Protect women financially. No endless back-and-forth.
  230    Third divorce — she is forbidden until she marries another and that marriage ends.    Final divorce is final. Prevents abuse of divorce as a weapon.
  
  An oath of abstinence from your wife has a four month limit — then either return or divorce; divorced women wait three cycles, and they have rights similar to men; divorce is twice — keep with kindness or release with goodness; do not take back her dowry unless she ransoms herself; after the third divorce, she is forbidden until she marries another; these are the limits of Allah — do not transgress them.
  
  
  )