Surah 2

Surah Al-Baqarah: The Heifer

Revealed at Madinah

2:221
And do not marry the idolatresses until they believe; while a believing maid is better than an idolatress, even though she allures you. And do not give in marriage to idolaters until they believe, while a believing slave is better than a polytheist even though he allures you. These invite to the Fire, while Allah calls to the Garden and forgiveness with His authority; and He makes clear His Messages for mankind that perhaps they may mind.


2:222
And they ask you concerning the menstruation. Say: “It is harmful; so keep aloof from women during the menstruation, and do not approach them until they are clean. But when they have cleansed themselves you come to them in any manner as Allah has ordained you.” Allah certainly loves the turners, and He loves the strivers to purification.

2:223
Your wives are a farm for you; so come to your farm as-and-when you please, and take steps for yourselves. And revere Allah; and know that you are going to meet Him. And give glad tidings to the Believers.

2:224
And do not make Allah the butt of your oaths for your acting righteously, and your practicing reverence, and making peace between mankind. And Allah is all-Hearing, all-Knowing.

2:225
Allah does not catch you for what is vain in your oaths; but He catches you for what your hearts have earned, for Allah is most Forgiving, Forbearing.

2:226
Those who swear off from their wives,— they have to wait for four months; but if they resolve, then Allah is surely most Forgiving, most Rewarding.

2:227
But in case they have resolved on divorce, then Allah is surely all-Hearing, all-Knowing.

2:228
And the divorced women must keep themselves waiting for three courses. And it is not lawful for them to conceal that which Allah has created in their wombs, if they believe in Allah and the Future Day. And their husbands have a better right to take them back in the meanwhile, if they wish for reconci-liation. And they have rights similar to those against them in a just manner. Yet men have a stage above them. And Allah is Exalted in Might, most Wise.

2:229
Divorce may be twice; then there should be keeping with fairness or leaving with goodness. And it is not lawful for you to take back any part of what you have given them, except when both fear that they cannot remain within the bounds of Allah. But if you fear that they cannot remain within the bounds of Allah there is no blame on them by what she becomes free. These are the bounds of Allah, therefore do not exceed them; and whoever exceeds the bounds of Allah, these then are themselves the wrongdoers.

2:230
But if he divorces her, then she is not lawful for him until after she has married a husband other than him. Now if he divorces her, then there is no blame on them both if they turn to each other, provided they think that they can keep within the bounds of Allah. And these are the bounds of Allah, He makes them clear for a people who know.

2:231
And when you divorce women and they complete their term, then retain them in kindness or set them free with kindness. And do not detain them wrongfully,— so that you may transgress; and whoever does that he has indeed done injustice to his soul. And do not take the commandments of Allah as a mockery, rather remember the favor of Allah upon you, and what He has revealed to you of the Scripture and the Wisdom, He admonishes you by it. And revere Allah, and know that Allah is Knower of all things.

2:232
And when you divorce women and they complete their term, then do not hinder them from marrying their husbands, when they have agreed among themselves with fairness. Thus is admonished with this he who among you believes in Allah and the Future Day. This is cleaner for you and purer. And Allah knows while you do not know.

2:233
And the mothers should suckle their children for two full years, for him who wishes to complete the suckling. And it is on the father— to him their food and their clothing with fairness. No soul will be burdened but to its capacity; neither will a mother be made to suffer injury on account of her child, nor the father— on him be on account of his child; and on the heir is the like of that. But if they both desire weaning by agreeing between them and counseling, then there is no blame on them. And if you desire to provide a wet-nurse for your children, there is no blame on you then, provided you agree on what you pay with fairness. And revere Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what you do.

2:234
And those of you who die and leave wives behind, they should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten. So when they have completed their term, then there is no blame on you in what they do for themselves in fairness. And Allah is Aware of what you do.

2:235
And there is no blame on you by what you make an offer of marriage-proposal to women, or you keep it concealed in your minds. Allah knows whether you will remember them, yet do not give promise to them secretly except that you speak an honorable speech. And do not confirm the marriage tie until the prescribed term reaches its end. And know that Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him; and know that Allah is indeed Protector, Forbearing.

2:236
There is no blame on you if you divorce women while yet you have not touched them, nor you have fixed for them a portion. And provide for them— on the well-to-do according to his means, and the straitened according to his means,— a provision with fairness. A duty on the doers of good.

2:237
But if you divorce them before you have touched them while you have already appointed for them a portion, then half of what you have appointed unless they forgo or they forgo in whose hands is the marriage tie. And if you forgo, it is nearer to reverence. And do not forget benevolence between yourselves. Surely Allah is Seer of what you do.

2:238
Be watchful over the Salat, and the most excellent Salat; and stand up before Allah with full devotion.

2:239
But if you are in fear, then on foot or while riding; but when you are safe, then remember Allah as He has taught you what you were not knowing.

2:240
And those of you who die and leave wives behind, a legacy of maintenance of their wives for a year, without turning out. But if they go out, there is no blame on you then with regard to what they do about themselves in a fair manner. And Allah is Exalted in Might, most Wise.