Day Fifteen (A Journey with Quran)

Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayats 225 – 245

225. Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.

226. For those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained; if then they return, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

227. But if their intention is firm for divorce, Allah heareth and knoweth all things.

228. Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods. Nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah Hath created in their wombs, if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period, if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

229. A divorce is only permissible twice: after that, the parties should either hold Together on equitable terms, or separate with kindness. It is not lawful for you, (Men), to take back any of your gifts (from your wives), except when both parties fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah. If ye (judges) do indeed fear that they would be unable to keep the limits ordained by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she give something for her freedom. These are the limits ordained by Allah. so do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong (Themselves as well as others).

230. So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), He cannot, after that, re-marry her until after she has married another husband and He has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they re-unite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by Allah. Such are the limits ordained by Allah, which He makes plain to those who understand.

231. When ye divorce women, and they fulfil the term of their (‘Iddat), either take them back on equitable terms or set them free on equitable terms; but do not take them back to injure them, (or) to take undue advantage; if any one does that; He wrongs his own soul. Do not treat Allah.s Signs as a jest, but solemnly rehearse Allah.s favours on you, and the fact that He sent down to you the Book and Wisdom, for your instruction. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is well acquainted with all things.

232. When ye divorce women, and they fulfil the term of their (‘Iddat), do not prevent them from marrying their (former) husbands, if they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, who believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is (the course Making for) most virtue and purity amongst you and Allah knows, and ye know not.

233. The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

234. If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: When they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do.

235. There is no blame on you if ye make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that ye cherish them in your hearts: But do not make a secret contract with them except in terms Honourable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that Allah Knoweth what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him; and know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.

236. There is no blame on you if ye divorce women before consummation or the fixation of their dower; but bestow on them (A suitable gift), the wealthy according to his means, and the poor according to his means;- A gift of a reasonable amount is due from those who wish to do the right thing.

237. And if ye divorce them before consummation, but after the fixation of a dower for them, then the half of the dower (Is due to them), unless they remit it or (the man’s half) is remitted by him in whose hands is the marriage tie; and the remission (of the man’s half) is the nearest to righteousness. And do not forget Liberality between yourselves. For Allah sees well all that ye do.

238. Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).

239. If ye fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding, (as may be most convenient), but when ye are in security, celebrate Allah.s praises in the manner He has taught you, which ye knew not (before).

240. Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year’s maintenance and residence; but if they leave (The residence), there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves, provided it is reasonable. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

241. For divorced women Maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the righteous.

242. Thus doth Allah Make clear His Signs to you: In order that ye may understand.

243. Didst thou not Turn by vision to those who abandoned their homes, though they were thousands (In number), for fear of death? Allah said to them: “Die”: Then He restored them to life. For Allah is full of bounty to mankind, but Most of them are ungrateful.

244. Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.

245. Who is he that will loan to Allah a beautiful loan, which Allah will double unto his credit and multiply many times? It is Allah that giveth (you) Want or plenty, and to Him shall be your return.

Translation: Abdullah Yusuf

Binge

After Son got divorced from his wife, he went on a shopping binge. He was depressed at the turn his life took. Suddenly he had no money, deep in debts (his ex had carefully planned it, while she was plotting for divorce), no home (that he left to his children, and ex), she got the custody of children, plus all his pay went into paying support. While his debts mounted, his tax return spiraled up since he was single again. Son was in deep misery.

Then he came, and got me to live, and take care of him. I went into despair of my own at the turn his life took. It was totally unexpected. I had to literally pull him from the deep dungeon of sorrow where he was buried, plus keep my own sanity. I aged overnight, and started looking a scarecrow.

Both of us have come a long way from 2015, when it happened. Son would go out, and buy things which he didn’t really need. It was a time when he had to budget carefully, and he was going the opposite way. He was getting mired in more debt, and had stopped caring at what would be the end of it.

He would buy, and I would think of ways to return the items he bought. Thankfully we both try to curtail our spending. I point out when he tries to buy something which is totally unnecessary. He does the same with me. Yesterday I got enamored at a shop with two covered small dishes– one of my weakness is buying crockery I don’t really need, and thought my life would be over if I didn’t get them. Before that I fell in love with a Bonsai plant in another shop. I’m feeling nostalgic, remembering the plant.

I didn’t buy the aforementioned things, cause Son pointed out the futility in case of the dishes as we don’t have any cupboard space in our tiny kitchen. I already have plants which need caring, and are going to get neglected, cause of my absence when I go to visit my daughter. Why subject another one to negligence?

I got the idea, but am getting pangs of heartache at not buying that beautiful bonsai. It would have certainly brightened my world.

Mushroom

A view of Son’s previous home. I had to delete the overall view to keep out its number.

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Son’s house in Sugar Land went to his ex after his divorce. He let it be, because of his three sons. Mushrooms would occasionally show up on the front lawn. I was tempted to gather them, but I didn’t know whether they were safe to eat, so other then to take a photo, or two (looked through photos, I must have deleted them) I didn’t pluck them. 
My late husband’s sis in law K was fond of mushrooms. They grew abundantly on her father’s agricultural land. We tasted those mushrooms, when husband, and I visited with his brother A and his wife. I wish I had asked K for the recipe. The taste was simply divine. I have never come across mushrooms cooked so deliciously. K died in 2004 of breast cancer, while A died recently on November 6. They had no children. A used to go, and lie beside K’s grave for hours on end. He didn’t marry after his wife’s death.

Today is the end of our internet, and Son, and I are leaving on Monday. I will try to post via my phone’s hot spot if it’s possible. It may be a week I will be able to visit my favorite blogs, or write. So bye for now. Be safe, and be happy. Sheen.

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DAILY PROMPT

Mushroom

Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/mushroom/

Joke

A year back my son S sent me a cartoon. I saved it. I thought it hilarious. I never knew that he will be undergoing the same thing (divorce) a year later. We laughed today at his predicament as I showed him the images.

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DAILY PROMPT

Joke

Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/joke/

Carefree

I look at my youngest grandson IB, and my heart bleeds. What is happening in his life is tragic. My only pray is that everything good comes his way.

He plays by himself. Yesterday he made a house for himself on top of the sofa, using the old quilt he carries around with him.  At night time he made a window at the front to watch tv. As I stood in the kitchen, trying to decide what to cook for dinner, IB asks, “Can I help you Dado?

When I asked him what he wanted to do, he wanted to cut the onions and tomatoes for me. 

Yesterday my son and I were looking for a car for me. We asked IB to come along with us, and told him when he grows up and looks for a car of his own the knowledge will help him. His reply, “the cars you are looking at won’t be the same. I will be wasting my time. There will be flying cars by then”. 

Maybe what he says with the innocence of childhood comes true. 

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DAILY PROMPT

Carefree

Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/carefree/