(226–227) “For those who swear to abstain from their wives, there is a waiting period of four months. But if they return, then surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. * And if they resolve upon divorce, then surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

This is an oath specifically pertaining to one’s wife and concerning a particular matter: the husband’s oath to refrain from sexual intercourse with his wife, whether indefinitely or for a specified period of less than four months or more.

If a man swears to abstain specifically from his wife for less than four months, it is like all other oaths: if he breaks it, he must offer expiation; if he fulfills his oath, nothing is required of him, and his wife has no claim against him in this regard, because he is entitled to a period of four months.

If the oath is indefinite or for a period exceeding four months, a four-month term is set for him from the time of his oath, if his wife requests it, because this is her right. Once that term has elapsed, he is ordered to return to her by having intercourse. If he does so, nothing is required of him except expiation for his oath. If he refuses, he is compelled to divorce her; and if he still refuses, the judge pronounces the divorce on his behalf.

However, returning to his wife and resuming marital relations is more beloved to Allah, Most High. Hence He says, “But if they return,” meaning: if they return to what they had sworn to refrain from—namely, sexual intercourse—“then surely Allah is All-Forgiving”: He forgives them for having sworn the oath because they returned. He is “Most Merciful,” for He prescribed an expiation and a means of release from their oaths rather than making them inescapably binding upon them. He is also merciful to them because they returned to their wives and treated them with tenderness and mercy.

“And if they resolve upon divorce,” meaning: if they refuse to return to their wives, this indicates that they have turned away from them and no longer wish to remain with them. This can only amount to a resolve upon divorce. Either the husband carries out this required act himself, or the judge compels him to do so or carries it out in his stead.

“Then surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” This contains a warning and threat to anyone who swears such an oath intending thereby to cause harm and hardship.

This verse also proves that an oath of abstinence applies specifically in relation to one’s wife, because He says, “from their wives.” It further proves that intercourse is obligatory once every four months, because after four months the husband is compelled either to have intercourse or to divorce her. This could only be because he has neglected an obligation.