Woman in Islam — Page 17
17 “In cases of divorce, mothers shall give suck to their infants for two whole years, where it is desired to complete the suckling, and the father of the child shall be responsible for the maintenance of the mother during that period according to usage. No one shall be burdened beyond his capacity. No mother shall be made to suffer on account of her child, and no father shall be made to suffer on account of his child; and the same is the obligation of the heir. If the parents should agree by mutual consultation and consent upon weaning the child, there shall be no blame on them. Should you desire to engage a wet- nurse for your children, there shall be no blame on you, provided you hand over what you have agreed to pay, in a fair manner. Be ever mindful of your duty to Allah, and be sure that Allah sees what you do. ” (2:234). All this is summarized as follows: “O Prophet, when you divorce your wives, observe the period prescribed for making the divorce effective, and reckon the period, and be mindful of your duty to Allah, your Lord. Turn them not out of their homes, nor should they depart there from, during that period, unless they are guilty of manifest indecency. These are the limits set by Allah. Whoso transgresses the limits set by Allah wrongs himself. The waiting period is prescribed as you do not know that Allah may, during that period, bring about something new. ” (65:2). “When they arrive-at the end of the prescribed period then retain them in a suitable manner, or send them away in a suitable manner, and appoint two just persons from among you as witnesses; and bear true witness for the sake of Allah. This is an