Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
7. Concerning divorce
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she is pregnant. This statutory waiting period of
three months makes her position clear and then the
man is required to pay her additional compensation
if she is expecting his child. But again there is no
question of maintenance for life, for the Qur’an
seeks a natural solution to all human problems. It
would, therefore, be wholly against the spirit of the
Qur’an for a woman to be entitled to life
maintenance from the very man with whom she
could not co-exist. Such a ruling would surely have
created a negative mentality in society. The Qur’an
again has the answer: “If they separate, God will
compensate each of them out of His own
abundance: He is Munificent, Wise.”
137
The munificence of God refers to the vast provision
which God has made for his servants in this world.
In various ways God helps such distressed people.
For example, when a woman is divorced, it is but
natural that the sympathy of all her blood relations
should be aroused. And, as a result, without any
pressure being put on them, they are willing to help
and look after her. Besides, a new will-power is
awakened in such a woman and she sets about
