Quote:
{2:233} Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers' provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear God and know that God is Seeing of what you do.
{2:234} And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And God is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.
Good translations, the way I'd do it
My only comment is that
المولود له has been translated "the father" by everybody. Only Asad followed the Arabic which literally says "the male person for whom the child is born." Why did God not say
الوالد (the male parent) or
الأب (the father)? Whatever the reason is, the special reference needs to be translated or it would be lost. So, I suggest replacing "the father" in 2:233 with "the man for whom the child is born." Verbose, I know, but what other shorter phrase can carry the meaning?
Thus, I suggest,
{2:233} Mothers [may] breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the man for whom the child is born is their (the mothers') provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No soul is charged with more than its capacity. No mother should be harmed because of her child, and no man for whom a child is born should be harmed because of his child. And upon the [man's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the man]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, it is no violation by either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, it is no violation by you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And be watchful of God and know that God is Seeing of what you do.{2:234} And those who are recalled (in death) among you and leave wives behind - they (the wives) are to monitor themselves [for] four months and ten [days]. Then when they have reached their term, then there is no violation upon you for what they do with themselves properly. And God, of what you do, is All-Aware.
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