a man marries a woman and, once their companionship has grown old, their time together has become long, and she has borne the children she carried, he divorces her without any cause for suspicion.”

I say: In my view, its chain is authentic and continuous, as I had verified in Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl (Quenching the Thirst) (7/42); whoever wishes may consult it. Another route for its first clause has preceded under no. 1666.

His words, “the thread does not even reach her hands,” are an allusion to her young age and poverty. In al-Nihāyah, al-Ḥarbī said: “It means that, because of her youth and lack of means, he bears with her until they both die in old age. What is intended is to urge his Companions to treat women well and to be patient with them—that is, the People of the Book used to do this with their women.”

I say: That was so when they possessed moral character and religious commitment, even if it was an altered religion. Today, however, they prohibit the divorce that Allah has made lawful, and openly permit fornication—and even sodomy.

2872 — “Fulfil your vow, for no vow may be fulfilled if it entails disobedience to Allah, severing kinship ties, or something that the son of Adam does not possess.” (1)

Abū Dāwūd (3313) and al-Ṭabarānī (1/134/1) narrated it through Yaḥyā ibn Abī Kathīr, who said: Abū Qilābah told me; he said: Thābit ibn al-Ḍaḥḥāk told me: During the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, a man vowed to slaughter an animal at Buwānah. He came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: “I have vowed to slaughter an animal at Buwānah.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Was an idol from among the idols of the pre-Islamic period worshipped there?” He said: “No.” He said: “Was one of their festivals held there?” He said: “No.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, then said the words quoted above.