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an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man
slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire.
But God beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That
they may celebrate His praise.
002.222 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 God. For God loves those who turn to Him constantly
and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.
002.223 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 God. And know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings
to those who believe.
002.224 And make not God's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace
between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things.
002.225 God will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and
He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.
002.226 For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained; if then they
return, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
002.227 But if their intention is firm for divorce, God heareth and knoweth all things.
002.228 Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to
hide what God Hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in God and the Last Day. And their husbands have the
better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the
rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And God is Exalted
in Power, Wise.
002.229 A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together on equitable terms,
or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you,(Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when
both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by God. If ye (judges) do indeed fear that they
would be unable to keep the limits ordained by God, there is no blame on either of them if she give something for her
freedom. These are the limits ordained by God; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by
God, such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others).
002.230 So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), He cannot, after that, remarry her until after she has married
another husband and He has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they re-unite, provided they
feel that they can keep the limits ordained by God. Such are the limits ordained by God, which He makes plain to those
who understand.
002.231 When ye divorce women, and they fulfil the term of their ('Iddat), either take them back on equitable terms
or set them free on equitable terms; but do not take them back to injure them, (or) to take undue advantage; if any one
does that; He wrongs his own soul. Do not treat God's Signs as a jest, but solemnly rehearse God's favours on you, and
the fact that He sent down to you the Book and Wisdom, for your instruction. And fear God, and know that God is well
acquainted with all things.
002.232 When ye divorce women, and they fulfil the term of their ('Iddat), do not prevent them from marrying their
(former) husbands, if they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, who believe in
God and the Last Day. That is (the course Making for) most virtue and purity amongst you and God knows, and ye know
not.
002.233 The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term.
But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater
than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir
shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation,
there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye
pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do.
002.234 If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: