—such a man has earned reward, serenity, and a level of character that few can reach; that is Allah’s bounty, which He bestows upon whom He wills.

This patience to which we have been commanded is only required so long as it remains possible. If separation becomes unavoidable and there is no longer room for patience or for keeping the marriage intact, then Allah has permitted the couple to part. Hence His words: “If you desire to replace one wife with another …” (Qur’an 4:20)—that is, there is no sin upon you—but if you have given one of them, whether the former or the later wife, a qintar, meaning a large sum of money, then do not take anything of it back; rather, leave it entirely to them and do not withhold it.

This shows that it is permissible to give women a substantial amount of wealth as a dowry or otherwise, and that it becomes their full property. Nevertheless, the more complete and preferable practice is to be easy-going regarding dowries, in emulation of the Prophet ﷺ, to make marriage and its paths easier, and to clear people of financial burdens.

He then stated the wisdom behind forbidding the husband to reclaim what he had given his wife: “Will you take it back in falsehood and in manifest sin? And how could you take it back after you have been intimately joined together and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?” (Qur’an 4:20–21).

The point is this: before the marriage contract, the woman is unlawful to the man. She consented to become lawful only through that contract and the solemn covenant concluded on the basis of the agreed compensation. After he has entered upon her, lain with her, and enjoyed an intimacy that was previously forbidden, he has received the stipulated benefit; consequently the compensation becomes firmly due from him in full. How can he take the benefit and then go back on the payment? Without doubt, such behavior is reprehensible in law, in reason, and in sound human nature.