while she was menstruating. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, informed the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said: ‘Tell him to take her back, then keep her until she becomes pure, menstruates again, and becomes pure again. Then, if he wishes, he may divorce her before having intercourse with her.’ That is the waiting period for which Allah has commanded that women be divorced.” Allah, glorified and exalted be He, knows best.

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Divorce in accordance with the Sunnah, which Allah has commanded and taught His servants, is for a man to divorce his wife once during a period of purity in which he has not had intercourse with her, without following it with another divorce. He then has the right to take her back, whether she wishes it or not, as long as her waiting period has not expired. For Allah, mighty and majestic, says:

“Then, when they have reached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honourably or part with them honourably.” [al-Talāq: 2]

Reaching the appointed term in this verse means approaching it, not actually reaching it. This differs from the verse in Sūrat al-Baqara, where Allah Most High says:

“Then, when they have reached the end of their waiting period, there is no blame upon you for what they do concerning themselves in an honourable manner.” [al-Baqara: 234]

Here, reaching the appointed term bears its literal meaning. In the verse mentioned earlier, however, it means approaching that term. This is established by the consensus that, when her waiting period expires, she becomes separated from her husband, and he no longer has the right to take her back.

Calling something by the name of something closely associated with it occurs frequently in the Quran and in Arabic usage. Allah, mighty and majestic, says:

“When you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.” [al-Nahl: 98]

This means: when you intend to recite the Quran. He also says:

“When you consult the Messenger privately, give charity before your private consultation.” [al-Mujādala: 12]

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “When one of you comes to the Friday prayer, let him bathe.”

The hadith also states: “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, performed the dawn prayer at al-Hudaybiya after samā’ (rain) had fallen during the night.” Rain was called samā’ (sky) because it descends from the sky. Another example is His statement, mighty and majestic:

“Or one of you comes from the low ground.” [al-Nisā’: 43]

Thus, a euphemism was employed by speaking of coming