Quote:
{2:226} For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful.
"not to have sexual relations" is too verbose a translation for the one Arabic word
يؤلون! I like Yusuf Ali's translation "abstention." I suggest,
{2:226} For those who abstain from their wives is a waiting [period] of four months. Then if they go back, then verily, God is much Forgiving and Merciful.Quote:
{2:227} And if they decide on divorce - then indeed, God is Hearing and Merciful.
The translation of
عليم as "Merciful" is obviously a typo or an oversight. It should be "Knowing."
I suggest,
{2:227} Then if they have resolved to divorce - then verily, God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.Quote:
{2:228} Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what God has created in their wombs if they believe in God and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And God is Exalted in Might and Wise.
"Reasonable" is a reasonable translation of
المعروف But I'd use "customary" instead. The word literally means "what is recognized."
I suggest,
{2:228} Divorcées are to monitor themselves [for] three periods, and it is not lawful for them to suppress what God has created in their wombs if they had been believing in God and the Final Day. And their husbands have more right to taking them back in this [period] if they wanted reconciliation. And [due] to them (the wives) is similar to what is upon (expected of) them, per the customary. And for the men over them is a degree. And God is Almighty and Wise.