Section: Qur’anic Verses on ila’, zihar, and li’an

1. Allah the Exalted says,
   “For those who swear abstinence from their wives, a waiting period of four months is ordained; if they go back, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful (226). But if they resolve upon divorce, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing (227).” (al-Baqarah 2:226–227)
   He also says, “Allah has indeed heard the statement of the woman who pleads with you about her husband …” (al-Mujādilah 1, and the verses that follow), and regarding li’an He says, “And those who accuse their wives …” (al-Nūr 6, and the verses that follow).

Among the well-known rulings that relate to the wife is that the husband may either make an ila’ against her or pronounce zihar concerning her. The distinction between the two is as follows:

• Ila’ is an oath sworn by Allah to abstain from intercourse with one’s wife permanently, or for an extended period longer than four months, while the husband is physically able to engage in intercourse.

If he takes such an oath, one of two situations arises:

– If the wife does not demand her conjugal right, he is left alone. Should he have intercourse within that period, he breaks his oath and must offer the expiation for breaking an oath; if he does not, no expiation is due.

– If she demands intercourse, he is ordered to comply and is granted a deadline of four months. If he reneges and resumes marital relations, that is the desired outcome and the option most beloved to Allah. If he refuses, and the four months pass while he persists in abstaining and she continues to claim her right, he is then compelled to choose between two alternatives: