Surah Al-Baqarah, as one of the most comprehensive chapters of the Holy Qur'an, contains a collection of divine rulings, knowledge, and guidance that have been revealed to lead humanity toward perfection and piety. Ayah 187 of this Surah, which focuses on the rulings of fasting and the relations between spouses during the nights of fasting, emphasises divine flexibility in legislation and the harmony between the outward and inward aspects of religion. This Ayah, while stating the rulings of fasting, calls towards an Islamic mysticism based on love, purity, and affection, standing in contrast to false mysticisms and non-Islamic asceticism. The present exegesis, with a jurisprudential, mystical, and critical approach, offers a detailed explanation of the Ayah and critiques the challenges within religious sciences. The aim of this writing is to provide a systematic and scholarly analysis for specialised audiences and academic settings, ensuring that all details of the original texts are preserved, while using refined and eloquent language to enrich both knowledge and literary expression.
Ayah 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, while stating the rulings of fasting, defines its time frame from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan. In the Holy Qur'an, fasting is initially mentioned in a general manner, as in Ayah 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah: "Fasting has been prescribed for you" (Qur'an 2:183). However, Ayah 187 qualifies this by specifying "the night of fasting," limiting the fasting to the day and excluding the night from the scope of fasting rulings. This qualification demonstrates the divine flexibility in legislation, taking into account human natural needs and establishing a balance between worship and daily life while guiding individuals towards piety.
Key Point: The initial generality of fasting in the Qur'an, when qualified in Ayah 187 to apply only to the daytime, refers to divine flexibility in the rulings and attention to human needs, demonstrating harmony between the outward and inward aspects of religion.
"It is made lawful for you to approach your wives during the nights of fasting. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, but He has turned to you in mercy and forgiven you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread of night. Then complete the fast until the night. And do not have relations with them while you are in retreat in the mosques. These are the limits set by Allah, so do not approach them. Thus Allah makes clear His verses to the people that they may become righteous." (Qur'an 2:187)
The phrase "Then He turned to you in mercy" refers to the lifting of God's wrath, and "He forgave you" refers to the forgiveness of sin and transgression. These two expressions signify the boundless mercy of Allah towards the believers who, due to self-deception (deceiving themselves), had transgressed the boundaries. Allah, through His mercy and forgiveness, not only saved them from punishment but also opened the door for them to lawfully enjoy His blessings. This flexibility in the legislation reflects the divine wisdom in prescribing rulings that align with human nature.
Key Point: "Then He turned to you in mercy and forgave you" demonstrates God's mercy in lifting prohibitions and forgiving sins, emphasizing the harmony between religious rulings and human needs.
The initial generality of the fasting period is transformed into specificity through the statement "So now, have relations with them," which affirms the permissibility of marital relations during the nights of Ramadan. The term "now" refers to a specific moment in time and indicates a shift in the ruling from prohibition to permission. The particle "fa" in "now" signifies a temporal separation, and the definite article "al" refers to the particular time of this ruling.
The phrase "have relations with them" is expressed in a general sense, encompassing all forms of lawful marital relations, from affection and kindness to physical intimacy. This generality underscores the verse's flexibility in accommodating human natural needs while maintaining spiritual purity during Ramadan. Unlike some non-Islamic ascetic practices that prohibit all forms of relationships during sacred times, Islam, through the command "have relations with them," emphasizes the balance between worship and natural life.
Key Point: The generality of "have relations with them" represents divine flexibility in the rulings of fasting, allowing lawful marital relations during Ramadan nights and maintaining a balance between worship and daily life.
The phrase "have relations with them" may outwardly suggest that the authority lies solely with men, thus marginalizing the role of women. However, a psychological analysis of the verse reveals that the address to men is due to their more impulsive and urgent tendencies in matters of desire and passion, not a diminution of female authority. Men, due to their psychological traits, tend to act more quickly in response to sexual urges, whereas women, with their greater patience and self-control, play a balancing role in the relationship.
Key Point: The address "have relations with them" to men, given their psychological differences, underscores the necessity for men to control their impulsive desires, while highlighting the balancing role women play in relationships.
The verse, acknowledging the psychological differences between men and women, implicitly refers to the differences in sexual fulfillment. Men's sexual satisfaction is typically more immediate and quick, while women experience it more gradually and slowly. This distinction is the reason the verse addresses men, as they are more prone to hasty desires and require more guidance in relationships. Women, with their patience and restraint, help maintain chastity and balance in the relationship.
The address "have relations with them" is not a sign of diminishing the authority of women, but rather a response to the more impulsive tendencies of men. The verse, acknowledging psychological traits, calls upon men to control their desires and invites women to maintain their role as protectors and balance-givers in the relationship. This address highlights the divine wisdom in enacting rulings that align with human nature and gender differences.
Key Point: The address to men in the verse emphasizes the necessity for them to train their desires and maintain balance in marital relations, while underscoring the role of women as protectors and maintainers of harmony.
Ayah 187 of Surah Al-Baqarah, considering the psychological differences between men and women, highlights the necessity for men to control their impulsive desires and the role of women in maintaining balance in marital relations. The address
