The Koran
CHAPTER LXV.
ENTITLED, DIVORCE; REVEALED AT MEDINA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
O PROPHET, when ye divorce women, put them away at their appointed term;
and compute the term exactly and fear God, your Lord. Oblige them not to
go out of their apartments, neither let them go out, until the term be
expired, unless they be guilty of manifest uncleanness. These are the statutes
of God: and whoever transgresseth the statutes of God, assuredly injureth
his own soul. Thou knowest not whether God will bring something new to
pass, which may reconcile them, after this. And when they shall have fulfilled
their term, either retain them with kindness, or part from them honorably:
and take witnesses from among you, men of integrity; and give your testimony
as in the presence of God. This admonition is given unto him who believeth
in God and the last day: and whoso feareth God, unto him will he grant
a happy issue out of all his afflictions, and he will bestow on him an
ample provision from whence he expecteth it not: and whoso trusteth in
God, he will be his sufficient support; for God will surely attain his
purpose. Now hath God appointed unto everything a determined period. As
to such of your wives as shall despair having their courses, by reason
of their age; if ye be in doubt thereof, let their term be three months:
and let the same be the term of those who have not yet had their courses.
But as to those who are pregnant, their term shall be, until they be delivered
of their burden. And whoso feareth God, unto him will he make his command
easy. This is the command of God, which he hath sent down unto you. And
whoso feareth God, he will expiate his evil deeds from him, and will increase
his reward. Suffer the women whom ye divorce to dwell in some part of the
houses wherein ye dwell; according to the room and conveniences of the
habitations which ye possess: and make them not uneasy, that ye may reduce
them to straits. And if they be with child, expend on them what shall be
needful, until they be delivered of their burden. And if they suckle their
children for you, give them their hire; and consult among yourselves, according
to what shall be just and reasonable. And if ye be put to a difficulty
herein, and another woman shall suckle the child for him, let him who hath
plenty expend proportionably, in the maintenance of the mother and the
nurse, out of his plenty: and let him whose income is scanty, expend in
proportion out of that which God hath given him. God obligeth no man to
more than he hath given him ability to perform: God will cause ease to
succeed hardship. How many cities have turned aside from the command of
their Lord and his apostles? Wherefore we brought them to a severe account;
and we chastised them with a grievous chastisement: and they tasted the
evil consequence of their business; and the end of their business was perdition.
God hath prepared for them a severe punishment; wherefore fear God, O ye
who are endued with understanding. True believers, now hath God sent down
unto you an admonition, an apostle who may rehearse unto you the perspicuous
signs of God; that he may bring forth those who believe and do good works,
from darkness into light. And whoso believeth in God, and doth that which
is right, him will he lead into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to remain
therein for ever: now hath God made an excellent provision for him. It
is God who hath created seven heavens, and as many different stories of
the earth: the divine command descendeth between them; that ye may know
that God is omnipotent, and that God comprehendeth all things by his knowledge.
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