Key to the song "A Malasian Divorce"

Aisha: The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the praying people)." I said, "You have made us (i.e. women) dogs. I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I would slip away. for I disliked to face him" (Hadith).

'When ye ask them (i.e. the wives of the Prophet) for any article, ask them from behind a curtain; that is purer for your hearts and for theirs'' (33:.53, 55).

"O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful" (33.59).

" Allah enjoins you concerning your children:
The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females" (4.11)

"call in to witness from among your men two witnesses; but if there are not two men, then one man and two women from among those whom you choose to be witnesses" (2: 82).

A hadith narrated by Abu Said al-Khudri and Sahih Bukhari explains the connection:
"The Prophet said, 'Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?'
The women said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind'."
al-Llah prefers men and permits women to be beaten into submission in the bed chambers:

"Men stand superior to women in that God hath preferred the one over the other ... Those whose perverseness you fear, admonish them and remove them into bed chambers and beat them, but if they submit to you then do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great" ( 4:34)

Muhammad's statements in hadith express extreme ambivalence about women (Walther):

"I have left behind no temptation more harmful to my community
than that which women represent for men."

"The whole world is delightful, but the most delightful thing in it is a virtuous woman."

"If a man and a women are alone in one place, the third person present is the devil."

"I stood at the gates of Paradise, most of those who entered there were poor,
I stood at the gates of Hell, most of those who went in there were women".

This is consistent with Muhammad's approval of polygyny, including marriage to slaves:

"marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess [slaves]; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course (4.3).

And all married women except those whom your right hands possess (this is) Allah's ordinance to you, and lawful for you are (all women) besides those, provided that you seek (them) with your property, taking (them) in marriage not committing fornication (4.24).

The following passage is ascribed as justifying Mu'ta or temporary marriage: Then as to those whom you profit by [take pleasure from], give them their dowries as appointed; and there is no blame on you about what you mutually agree after what is appointed; surely Allah is Knowing, Wise (4.24).

"You may put off whom you please of them, and you may take to you whom you please, and whom you desire of those whom you had separated provisionally; no blame attaches to you; this is most proper, so that their eyes may be cool and they may not grieve, and that they should be pleased, all of them with what you give them" (33.51).

Under the triple talaq a husband merely has to repeat the oath of divorce three times for it to have immediate effect.Walther further notes that Islamic law permits every man in a healthy mental state to repudiate his wife (talaq) without having to give any reason for it and without consulting a judge.

Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like, and do good beforehand for yourselves, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to the believers (2.223 ).

Those women in Paradise will be fair; not like the dark skinned ones of Arabia. Their beauty will be perfect. Their eyes are wide and large, and their breasts are "Kawa'eb" -"swelling and firm, not sagging."[101]

Allah also said: 'The 'black-eyed' are confined to pavilions' (Al-Rahman 70), that is, they are hidden within, saved for their husbands."

The godfearing shall thus be 'wedded' to women in Paradise. Those women will not look at any one else, except their husbands. They will be restrained in their pavilions.

The Hadith also tells us-

"In Paradise ... every person would have two wives (so beautiful) that the marrow of their shanks would glimmer beneath the flesh and there would be none without a wife in Paradise."[102]

Another Hadith makes the number of wives seventy two. Seventy females are specially created, and two are human females.[103] His earthly wife may be included among his "huris", but in Paradise there will be additional women for him, even up to seventy-two.

The above descriptions are literal, and the relationship between men and their "huris" are physical, and not only spiritual as the following Hadith which is chosen by the compiler of Mishkat al- Masabih shows.

"The Holy Prophet said: 'The believer will be given such and such strength in Paradise for sexual intercourse. It was questioned: O prophet of Allah! can he do that? He said: "He will be given the strength of one hundred persons.'"[104]

Allah also said: 'The 'black-eyed' are confined to pavilions' (Al-Rahman 70), that is, they are hidden within, saved for their husbands."

Divorce may be (pronounced) twice, then keep (them) in good fellowship or let (them) go with kindness; and it is not lawful for you to take any part of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah; then if you fear that they cannot keep within the limits of Allah, there is no blame on them for what she gives up to become free thereby. These are the limits of Allah, so do not exceed them and whoever exceeds the limits of Allah these it is that are the unjust (2.229 ).

So if he divorces her she shall not be lawful to him afterwards until she marries another husband; then if he divorces her there is no blame on them both if they return to each other (by marriage), if they think that they can keep within the limits of Allah, and these are the limits of Allah which He makes clear for a people who know (2.230).

And when you divorce women and they reach their prescribed time, then either retain them in good fellowship or set them free with liberality, and do not retain them for injury, so that you exceed the limits, and whoever does this, he indeed is unjust to his own soul; and do not take Allah's communications for a mockery, and remember the favor of Allah upon you, and that which He has revealed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, admonishing you thereby; and be careful (of your duty to) Allah, and know that Allah is the Knower of all things (2.231).

And when you have divorced women and they have ended-- their term (of waiting), then do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree among themselves in a lawful manner; with this is admonished he among you who believes in Allah and the last day, this is more profitable and purer for you; and Allah knows while you do not know (2.232).

And the mothers should suckle their children for two whole years for him who desires to make complete the time of suckling; and their maintenance and their clothing must be-- borne by the father according to usage; no soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father's) heir, but if both desire weaning by mutual consent and counsel, there is no blame on them, and if you wish to engage a wet-nurse for your children, there is no blame on you so long as you pay what you promised for according to usage; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah and know that Allah sees what you do (2.233).

And (as for) those of you who die and leave wives behind, they should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten days; then when they have fully attained their term, there is no blame on you for what they do for themselves in a lawful manner; and Allah is aware of what you do (2.234).

And there is no blame on you respecting that which you speak indirectly in the asking of (such) women in marriage or keep (the proposal) concealed within your minds; Allah knows that you win mention them, but do not give them a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner, and do not confirm the marriage tie until the writing is fulfilled, and know that Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him, and know that Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing (2.235).

There is no blame on you if you divorce women when you have not touched them or appointed for them a portion, and make provision for them, the wealthy according to his means and the straitened in circumstances according to his means, a provision according to usage; (this is) a duty on the doers of good (to others) (2.236).

And if you divorce them before you have touched them and you have appointed for them a portion, then (pay to them) ha!f of what you have appointed, unless they relinquish or he should relinquish in whose hand is the marriage tie; and it is nearer to righteousness that you should relinquish; and do not neglect the giving of free gifts between you; surely Allah sees what you do.

And whoever among you has not within his power ampleness of means to marry free believing women, then (he may marry) of those whom your right hands possess [slaves] from among your believing maidens; and Allah knows best your faith: you are (sprung) the one from the other; so marry them with the permission of their masters, and give them their dowries justly, they being chaste, not fornicating, nor receiving paramours; and when they are taken in marriage, then if they are guilty of indecency, they shall suffer half the punishment which is (inflicted) upon free women. This is for him among you who fears falling into evil; and that you abstain is better for you, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (4.25).

And they ask you a decision about women. Say: Allah makes known to you His decision concerning them, and that which is recited to you in the Book concerning female orphans whom you do not give what is appointed for them while you desire to marry them, and concerning the weak among children, and that you should deal towards orphans with equity; and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it (4.127).

And if a woman fears ill usage or desertion on the part of her husband, there is no blame on them, if they effect a reconciliation between them, and reconciliation is better, and avarice has been made to be present in the (people's) minds; and if you do good (to others) and guard (against evil), then surely Allah is aware of what you do (4.128).

And you have it not in your power to do justice between wives, even though you may wish (it), but be not disinclined (from one) with total disinclination, so that you leave her as it were in suspense; and if you effect a reconciliation and guard (against evil), then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (4.129).

And if they separate, Allah will render them both free from want out of His ampleness, and Allah is Ample-giving, Wise (4.130).

O you who believe! when you marry the believing women, then divorce them before you touch them, you have in their case no term which you should reckon; so make some provision for them and send them forth a goodly sending forth (33.49).

(As for) those of you who put away their wives by likening their backs
to the backs of their mothers, they are not their mothers; their mothers are
no others than those who gave them birth; and most surely they utter a
hateful word and a falsehood and most surely Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving (58.2).

And (as for) those who put away their wives by likening their backs to
the backs of their mothers then would recall what they said, they should
free a captive before they touch each other; to that you are admonished (to
conform); and Allah is Aware of what you do (58.3).

The Divorce

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
O Prophet! when you divorce women, divorce them for their prescribed
time, and calculate the number of the days prescribed, and be careful of
(your duty to) Allah, your Lord. Do not drive them out of their houses, nor
should they themselves go forth, unless they commit an open indecency; and
these are the limits of Allah, and whoever goes beyond the limits of Allah,
he indeed does injustice to his own soul. You do not know that Allah may
after that bring about reunion (65.1).

So when they have reached their prescribed time, then retain them with
kindness or separate them with kindness, and call to witness two men of
justice from among you, and give upright testimony for Allah. With that is
admonished he who believes in Allah and the latter day; and whoever is
careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will make for him an outlet (65.2),

And give him sustenance from whence he thinks not; and whoever trusts
in Allah, He is sufficient for him; surely Allah attains His purpose; Allah
indeed has appointed a measure for everything (65.3).

And (as for) those of your women who have despaired of menstruation, if
you have a doubt, their prescribed time shall be three months, and of those
too who have not had their courses; and (as for) the pregnant women, their
prescribed time is that they lay down their burden; and whoever is careful
of (his duty to) Allah He will make easy for him his affair (65.4).

That is the command of Allah which He has revealed to you, and whoever
is careful of (his duty to) Allah, He will remove from him his evil and give
him a big reward (65.5).

Lodge them where you lodge according to your means, and do not injure
them in order that you may straiten them; and if they are pregnant, spend on
them until they lay down their burden; then if they suckle for you, give
them their recompense and enjoin one another among you to do good; and if
you disagree, another (woman) shall suckle for him (65.6).