Woman in Islam — Page 18
18 admonition for him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. ” (65:3). “The prescribed period for those of your wives who have lost all expectation of monthly courses, in case of doubt, is three months, and also in case of those who have not had their monthly courses. In case of those who are with child, the prescribed period is until they are delivered. ” (65:5). “Lodge them during the prescribed period in the houses wherein you dwell, according to your means; and harass them not that you may create hardships for them. If they should be with child, provide for them until they are delivered. Should they give suck to the child for you, pay them their due recompense, and settle the matter between yourselves equitably; but if you run into difficulty between yourselves, then let another woman suckle the child for the father. Let one who is in easy circumstances spend according to his means, and let him whose means of subsistence are straitened spend out of that which Allah has given him. Allah does not require of any one beyond that which He has bestowed on him. For those suffering from hardship, Allah will soon bring about ease. ” (65:7-8). POLYGAMY Plurality of wives is not specifically prohibited by divine command in any religion; nor, except in the case of Islam, is the number of wives restricted. Islam permits a plurality of wives but restricts their number