The term of probation (‘iddat) - Quran Chapter 2- 234 (Pt-2, Stg-1) (L-305) - درس قرآن

Quran Chapter 2- 234 (Pt-2, Stg-1) (L-305) - درس قرآن

The term of probation (‘iddat)

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

‘A-‘uu-zu  Billaahi minash-Shay-taanir- Rajiim. 
(I seek refuge in God from Satan the outcast.)
 
Bis-Millaahir-Rah-maanir-Rahiim.
(In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.)

 وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْوَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَاتَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ 234
 

234.  And such of you as die and leave behind them wives, they (the wives) shall wait, keeping themselves apart, four months and ten days. Then when they reach the term (prescribed for them) then there is no sin for you in aught that they may do with themselves in decency. And Allah is Aware of what ye do.

234.  Wallaziina  yuta-waffawna  minkum  wa  yazaruuna  ‘azwaajany-yatarab-basna  bi-‘anfusi-hinna  ‘arba-‘ata  ‘ash-hurinw-wa  ‘ashraa.  Fa-‘izaa  balagna  ‘ajalahunna  falaa  junaaha  ‘alay-kum  fiimaa  fa-‘alna  fiii  ‘anfusi-hinna  bil-ma’-ruuf.  Wallaahu  bimaa  ta’-maluuna  Khabiir.

Commentary

yatarab-basna – (they shall wait, keeping apart), it aims that after the death of husband, a widow will keep herself in waiting. Technical name of this period of waiting is ‘The Term’ (‘iddat). The woman who is divorced, her term is complete three months and the widow’s term is four months plus ten days. If the widow is pregnant, then her term is until the delivery of her child. To dress, decorate or embellish (make-up) is not lawful for the woman during the days of “the term”.

Other religions of the world did not show any proper favor for the widow. Moreover, Hinduism ordered the widow to burn alive in the fire (to be sati). Islam has granted the right to the widow to remain alive with full opportunities and determined this command that the women shall wait, keeping themselves apart, just four months and ten days with effect from the dates of their husbands’ death. She should not draw attention towards her next marriage and its related other matters. She must not decorate herself during this term. If she feels that she is pregnant, then her term will change, and she would have to prevent herself from re-marriage until delivery.

When the term of widowhood will end, then there is no objection in sending the message for re-marriage. Here, entire nation has been addressed, that is to say; there is no sin or objection for keeping lawful to re-marry like this matter. It has been cleared also that if any individual commits something unlawful, which is against the precepts of the religion, then it is others’ duty that they should challenge him according to their spirit and power. Otherwise, it will be sin for them too. So, they should look in to the matter that after the term of widowhood, which act will be done by the woman, that should not be against the Divine Law and custom. Remember! God Almighty is fully Aware about your deeds. Your all actions (good or bad) will be reckoned on the Day of Resurrection and you will be rewarded or punished according to your character roll.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif). https://youtu.be/b1gn2XVPAdY