225. ALLAH will not call you to account for such of your oaths as are vain, but HE will call you to account for what your hearts have earned. And ALLAH is Most forgiving, Forbearing. 226. For those who vow abstinence from their wives, the maximum period of waiting is four months. Then if they go back to their normal relationship, surely ALLAH is Most forgiving, Merciful. 227. And if they decide upon divorce, then surely ALLAH is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. 228. And the divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three courses; and it is not lawful for them that they conceal what ALLAH has created in their wombs, if they believe in ALLAH and the Last Day; and their husbands have the greater right to take them back during that period, provided they desire reconciliation. And they (the women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in equity; but men have a degree of advantage above them. And ALLAH is Mighty and Wise. 229. Such divorce may be pronounced twice; then either retain them in a becoming manner or send them away with kindness. And it is not lawful for you that you take anything of what you have given them (your wives) unless both fear that they cannot observe the limits prescribe by ALLAH. But if you fear that they cannot observe the limits prescribed by ALLAH, then it shall be no sin for either of them in what she gives to get her freedom. These are the limits prescribed by ALLAH, so transgress them not; and whoso transgresses the limits prescribed by ALLAH, it is they that are the wrongdoers. 230. And if he divorces her the third time, then she is not lawful for him thereafter, until she marries another husband; and, if he also divorces her, then it shall be no sin for them to return to each other, provided they are sure that they would be able to observe the limits prescribed by ALLAH. And these are the limits prescribed by ALLAH which HE makes clear to the people who have knowledge. |