They ask you about fighting in the sacred month. Say, “Fighting in it is a grave matter, but blocking people from Allah’s way, rejecting Him, barring access to the Sacred Mosque, and driving its people out are even graver with Allah. Persecution is more serious than killing.” They will continue fighting you until they turn you away from your faith, if they can. Whoever among you turns away from their faith and dies rejecting it, their deeds will come to nothing in this world and the Hereafter. They are the people of the Fire, remaining there.
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “In both is great sin and some benefit for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you what they should spend. Say, “What you can spare.” In this way Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may reflect
on this world and the Hereafter. And they ask you about orphans. Say, “Improving their affairs is best. If you mix your affairs with theirs, they are your brothers and sisters. Allah knows the one who causes harm from the one who sets things right. Had Allah willed, He could have made things difficult for you. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
Do not marry women who associate others with Allah until they believe. A believing enslaved woman is better than a woman who associates others with Allah, even if she impresses you. And do not marry your women to men who associate others with Allah until they believe. A believing enslaved man is better than a man who associates others with Allah, even if he impresses you. They invite to the Fire, while Allah invites to Paradise and forgiveness by His permission. He makes His signs clear to people so that they may take heed.
They ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is a state of discomfort, so refrain from sexual intercourse with women during menstruation and do not approach them for intercourse until they are clean. When they have purified themselves, then approach them in the way Allah has permitted you. Allah loves those who constantly repent and those who purify themselves.”
Your wives are a place of cultivation for you, so approach your place of cultivation as you wish, and send good ahead for yourselves. Be mindful of Allah and know that you will meet Him. Give good news to the believers.
Do not use Allah’s name in your oaths as an excuse against doing good, being mindful of Him, and making peace between people. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Allah will not hold you accountable for unintentional oaths, but He will hold you accountable for what your hearts have earned. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Forbearing.
Divorced women should wait by themselves for three menstrual periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. Their husbands have a greater right to take them back during that period if they desire reconciliation. Women have rights similar to the obligations upon them, according to what is fair, while men have a degree of responsibility over them. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Divorce may be retracted twice. Then either keep the marriage honorably or release the wife with kindness. It is not lawful for you to take back anything you have given them, unless both fear they cannot keep within Allah’s limits. If you fear they cannot keep within Allah’s limits, there is no blame on either of them if she gives something to secure her release. These are Allah’s limits, so do not cross them. Whoever crosses Allah’s limits are the wrongdoers.
If he divorces her a third time, she is not lawful for him afterward until she marries another husband. If the latter divorces her, there is no blame on the former couple if they return to one another, if they believe they can keep within Allah’s limits. These are Allah’s limits, which He makes clear for people who know.
When you divorce women and they reach the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or release them honorably. Do not retain them to harm them and transgress. Whoever does that has wronged themselves. Do not treat Allah’s signs as a joke. Remember Allah’s favor upon you and the Scripture and wisdom He sent down to instruct you. Be mindful of Allah and know that Allah has full knowledge of everything.
When you divorce women and they complete their waiting period, do not prevent them from marrying their former husbands if they mutually agree in a fair manner. This instruction is for whoever among you believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is purer and cleaner for you. Allah knows, and you do not know.
Mothers may nurse their children for two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing period. The father is responsible for providing for and clothing them fairly. No soul is burdened beyond its capacity. Neither mother nor father should be made to suffer because of their child. The same duty falls upon the heir. If both parents decide, by mutual consent and consultation, to wean the child, there is no blame on them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by another woman, there is no blame on you as long as you pay fairly what you agreed. Be mindful of Allah and know that Allah sees all that you do.
Those among you who die and leave wives behind, their wives should wait by themselves for four months and ten days. When they complete their waiting period, there is no blame on you for what they reasonably decide for themselves. Allah is fully aware of what you do.
There is no blame on you for indirectly expressing interest in marrying these women or keeping that intention within yourselves. Allah knows that you will think of them. But do not make secret promises to them, except to speak in an honorable way. Do not resolve on the marriage contract until the prescribed waiting period reaches its end. Know that Allah knows what is within yourselves, so be mindful of Him. And know that Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Forbearing.
There is no blame on you if you divorce women before consummating the marriage or setting a bridal gift for them. But provide for them, the wealthy according to their means and the one with limited means according to theirs, a fair provision, a duty upon those who do good.
If you divorce them before consummating the marriage but after setting a bridal gift, then give half of what you specified, unless they waive it or the one who holds the marriage bond waives it. To waive is closer to mindfulness of Allah. Do not forget graciousness between yourselves. Allah sees all that you do.
Those among you who die and leave wives behind should make provision for their wives for a year without forcing them from their homes. But if the wives leave, there is no blame on you for what they reasonably decide for themselves. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.