Day 19; HQ 2: 231-237; pages 37+38

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

The subject matter of yesterday’s reading is ongoing today. Some of you who did the Reading in Arabic may have noticed that the ‘waiting-period’ of widows/divorcees to remarry was NOT called ‘iddat’  "عِدة in these verses, although that is the term commonly used among Muslims, (Yusuf Ali put ‘Iddat’ between brackets).  To better understand the concept we call ‘Iddah,’ we should seek guidance from the Qur’an.

COMMENTS:

1.      The term ‘Iddat’  "عِدة"-actually appears in the Qur’an 7 times: twice with regard to the number of days one should make up for in Fasting Ramadan (HQ 2:184, 185), twice in informing us of the ‘number’ of months in a year (HQ 9:36, 37), once regarding a certain number of angels (HQ74:31), and twice with regard to the number of months to count before a divorcee is free to remarry(HQ 33:49; 65:4). 

In other words, ‘Iddah’ means ‘a tally, a number, a calculation.’

2.      As for the terms used in yesterday’s and today’s reading, the Qur’an uses two words: ‘tarabbus*’ literally meaning ‘to wait,’ and ‘ajal*’ meaning end of term, both very well-explained by Muhammad Asad: (See HQ2: 228 "يتربَّصن"/ 2:231, 232: "أجلهن"/2:234: "يتربَّصن" & "أجلهن" (.

What does that mean? 

It means that when we use the word ‘Iddat,’ we give it a much broader connotation than the Qur’an.  ‘Iddah’-‘tarabbus’-‘ajal’ mean quite simply, keeping tally of the exact number of days/months a widow or divorcee should wait before she can remarry (or be spoken for).  The number is 4 months & ten days for a widow, 3 menstrual cycles (if she menstruates) or else 3 months for a divorcee, and childbirth for a pregnant widow or divorcee (who could arrive at the end of her term within hours or in nine months).

The Qur’an does not elaborate further on this matter, and much of what widows or divorcees ‘should or shouldn’t do’ has been relegated to Tradition.  Nevertheless, it would be sound advice for any of us, to rise to the higher standards of a fair-minded, God-conscious community.  It is Community which ultimately upholds the honor and dignity of its members.

3.      Some of you who did the Reading in Arabic may also have noticed that these verses are in large part addressed to authoritative figures who can help with divorce OR reconciliation, whether parents of the estranged couple, or members of the community who hold the couple’s best interest at heart, or even judges who might enforce rulings.  They are not all addressed to husbands.  This is more apparent in Yusuf Ali’s translation of these verses than in Muhammad Asad’s because at least Ali puts what he understands between brackets (‘your wives’ in this instance).  This is helpful since the Qur’an spoke in general terms and did NOT, in fact, say ‘your wives’ here, or limit the address to husbands.  Despite that, we find in Muhammad Asad’s translation of 229:

“…And it is not lawful for you to take back anything of what you have ever given your wives unless both (partners) have cause to fear that they may not be able to keep within the bounds set by God…”

Some might ask:  What’s so important about such small inaccuracies? 

The answer is that every word in the Qur’an is important because inaccuracy results in the misapplication of instruction, which could lead to grave wrongdoing in God’s name.  We draw attention to this issue here only as an example; NOT seeking to detract from our commentators’ and translators’ admirable work, but to highlight the fact that we are all human and will, indeed, make mistakes.  It is OUR human mistakes which have reflected negatively upon our wonderful Faith, but with the Qur’an, in its original Arabic, we can make amends.  It is, after all, our ultimate source of Guidance.

4.      Muhammad Asad shows us in Verse 234 that it is the community who is addressed, and not the husbands alone, and he quotes Zamakhshari in note 222.

5.      Verse 233 deals with mothers nursing their babies after divorce, and states that suckling may continue upto the complete two year term, with full paternal support.  Here we read this beautiful Qur’anic principle for the first time:

“….No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear…” (Y.Ali)

The next time we read this principle will be at the very end of this Chapter.

6.      The last verse in today’s reading calls for generosity and Awareness between divorcing couples, as well as a call to act with grace towards each other, for God sees all.

Enough said!

Tomorrow’s reading is from verse 238-248.

Peace unto all!

* ربص:  الراء والباء والصاد أصلٌ واحدٌ يدلُّ على الانتظار. من ذلك التربُّص.

*الأَجَل: غاية الوقت في مَحَلِّ الدَّين وغيره... والاسم الآجِل نقيض العاجل والأجيل المُرْجأ، أي المؤخَّر إلى وقتٍ.

*عد: العَدّ: إحصاء الشيء. تقول: عددت الشيءَ أعُدُّه عَدّاً فأنا عادٌّ، والشيء معدود. ومن الباب العِدَّة من العَدّ.

Day 18; HQ 2: 220-230; pages 35+36

Welcome Friends:  Ahlan wa sahlan!

In yesterday’s Reading we dealt briefly with important Qur’anic concepts that DO deserve more scrutiny, most important among them is the difference between concept of ‘tahreem- تحريم’ or ‘prohibition,’ and other commands, so we’ll try to recap before we comment on today’s reading.

RECAP & COMMENTS:

1.    We often hear people offering reasons for the ‘tahreem/prohibition’ of Pork and certain meats, but what many of us do not realize, is that obedience to ‘tahreem’ IS in itself an act of worship that enhances our Awareness and does NOT require any further explanation or ‘raison d’être’.  You either believe and observe, or you don’t (as in the rites of Fasting, for example).  Indeed the most important distinction between what is ‘Ithm’ and what is ‘muharram/forbidden’ is that, in the latter, there is no argument. 

2.     In comparison, we will notice that, in the case of ‘khamr/intoxicants/drugs’ and ‘meyssir/easy gain, the Qur’an gives us reasons.  It tells us that, although there is some advantage to them, the disadvantages of their ‘Ithm’ outweigh the advantages.  It tells us that these practices result in aggression and hatred (HQ 5:90), and prevent us from the remembrance of God and from maintaining proper relationships with each other, and with Him (the root-verb of ‘Salaat’ is ‘silah’ or connection/relationship).  The Qur’an also tells us that we would be following the footsteps of ‘Satan,’ perhaps warning us that ‘khamr’ (which we should steer clear of) is not unlike the tree which Adam was told not to approach.

3.     Finally, we must highlight a General Qur’anic Principle:

God, throughout this Message - delivered by His Messenger (S)- has indeed sanctioned for humanity all of that which is wholesome (الطيبات), and has forbidden us only from that which is foul.. (الخبائث)  as stated in HQ 7:157.  This is highlighted in the Qur'an as a general guideline, one which should ease the burden which followers of previous Revelations have incurred (especially the Jews: HQ 3:50; 3:93; 6:146).  In fact, this 'sanctioning' of what was previously 'forbidden,' and the guiding-back to the Divine Message, were also the integral part of Jesus' mission, peace upon him!  We have not forgotten what we read earlier (HQ 2:185): God intends for us ease, not hardship.

4.     Verse 220 is about treatment of orphans.  Kindness and generosity with them is often mentioned in the Qur’an (it’s been mentioned 3 times so far: 2:83; 2:177; 2:215).

5.     It is more likely that verse (HQ 2:221), like so many others in the Qur’an, addresses the Muslim community of men and women, rather than men alone, as is commonly understood.  Indeed, there is a valid reading of the words (تنكحوا المشركات) as ‘tunkihu’(تُنْكِحوا)   -meaning to marry off these women, rather than to marry them yourselves- which supports this broader understanding of the verse (as explained by Zamakhshari). 

6.     The remaining verses are about the spousal relationship, well-explained by Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad, and the subject continues in tomorrow’s reading.

7.     Verses 224-226 relate to oaths and means for atonement, while Verses 227-230 relate to divorce.  The discussion continues tomorrow.

Enough said!

Tomorrow’s reading is from verse 231-237.

Peace unto all!