The Cow
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.[2:228]
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.
* v.228 : Islam tries to maintain the married state as far as possible, especially where children are concerned, but it is against the restriction of the liberty of men and women in such vitally important matters as love and family life. It will check hasty action as far as possible and leave the door to reconciliation open at many stages. Even after divorce a suggestion of reconciliation is made, subject to certain precautions (mentioned in the following verses) against thoughtless action. A period of waiting (iddat) for three monthly courses is prescribed, in order to see if the marriage conditionally dissolved is likely to result in issue. But this is not necessary where the divorced woman is a virgin: Q. xxxiii. 49. It is definitely declared that women and men shall have similar rights against each other.
* The difference in economic position between the sexes makes the man’s rights and liabilities a little greater than the woman’s Q. iv. 34 refers to the duty of the man to maintain the woman, and to a certain difference in nature between the sexes. Subject to this, the sexes are on terms of equality in law, and in certain matters the weaker sex is entitled to special protection.