Chapter 2: Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), verses 221-223
Translation:
You shall not wed idolatresses, unless they embrace the faith. A believing slave-girl is better than an idolatress, although she may please you. Nor shall you wed idolaters unless they embrace the faith. A believing slave is better than an idolater, although he may please you. These call you to the Fire; but God calls you, by His will, to Paradise and to forgiveness. He makes plain His revelations to mankind, so that they may be mindful. They ask you about menstruation. Say: ‘It is an indisposition. Keep aloof from women during their menstrual periods and do not approach them until they are clean again. But when they have purified themselves, have intercourse with them in the manner enjoined upon you by God. God loves those who turn to Him in repentance, and He loves those who strive to keep themselves clean.’ Women are your fields: go, then, into your fields as you please. Do good works and fear God. Bear in mind that you shall meet Him. Give good news to the believers (2: 221-23).
Commentary:
To
illustrate the purpose of the matrimonial bond, the relationship between man and
wife may be likened to that of a farmer and his field. This means that it is not
just for selfish enjoyment that a couple takes the marriage vow. Just as a
farmer’s task of planting his fields is a serious matter, so also is the
husband/wife relationship a serious one. Various factors have to be taken into
account, certain guidelines followed.
The
first thing to be taken into consideration when choosing a spouse is belief. The
relationship between a husband and wife is an extremely delicate one, balanced
precariously within a network of social, domestic and psychological factors. For
such a close, intricate relationship to flourish there has to be harmony of
belief. A Muslim who marries someone of another faith may have to compromise on
his beliefs, in which case it will be his faith that suffers; and if he refuses
to do so, it will be his marriage which will founder. Secondly, a husband and
his wife should consort and cohabit according to the pattern of creation. Just
as revelation is an expression of God’s will, so is nature, for it following
divine commands to the letter. Natural laws are for us to follow, just as
revealed laws are to be obeyed. And one should fear God at all times, always
remembering that He knows a person’s inner and outer states, and that
eventually one is going to be brought before Him.
Doing good works means acting with the Hereafter in mind. In the knowledge that there is an eternal side to life, which is more important than the temporal side, it is for eternity that we should strive. Should our actions on earth profit us in this life, but be harmful to our everlasting life, we shall have lived our lives in vain. What we do on earth will be judged after death. We should take care to ensure that our deeds measure up well on God’s scale of justice, for if they fail to do so, there is no way we can avoid His punishment.