Ayah 222 of Surah Al-Baqarah in the Holy Quran addresses one of the fundamental jurisprudential, ethical, and spiritual matters within the Islamic system, namely the rulings concerning menstruation. This verse not only elucidates the legal injunctions associated with this natural phenomenon but also, by referring to the concepts of repentance and purification, guides humankind towards spiritual and ethical elevation. Menstruation, as a divine gift, transcends its biological function and encompasses social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions, which are examined herein through a profound and multifaceted lens. This treatise, by aggregating the content of the lecture and the analyses presented, examines the divine wisdom inherent in this verse and systematically elaborates on its jurisprudential, ethical, and social facets for an expert audience.
"And they ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a harm; so keep away from women during menstruation and do not approach them until they are purified. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has commanded you. Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves."
Menstruation is a natural phenomenon designed within the divine system of creation as a sign of God's wisdom and governance. This process, beyond its biological function, aids in maintaining women's physical and psychological health and serves as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and seclusion from conjugal relations. From a biological perspective, menstruation prepares the uterus for reproduction; however, its wisdom is not limited to this role. Like a flower that blooms in a particular season, it allows women to maintain their health and vitality within a natural cycle.
Menstruation acts as a divine shield against continuous exploitation in marital relations. By instituting a period of withdrawal, it grants women respite from physical and emotional stresses, allowing them to maintain freshness and vitality, akin to a flower protected from excessive exposure. This divine wisdom not only promotes women's physical health but also safeguards their human dignity within the familial system.
Jurisprudential Rulings and Expiation
The verse explicitly prohibits intimacy during menstruation, and Islamic jurisprudence associates this act with a significant expiation that varies in severity depending on circumstances. This ruling, beyond its legal dimension, serves to protect the physical and emotional wellbeing of both spouses, as menstruation is a sensitive period medically and emotionally. These rulings, like a gem in the crown of the legal system, emphasise the importance of observing divine limits and preserving human dignity.
Conclusion of Part One
Ayah 222 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by elucidating the rulings concerning menstruation, reveals the divine wisdom embedded within this natural phenomenon. Menstruation, as a divine gift, not only aids womens physical and psychological health but also provides a period of seclusion conducive to spiritual self-development and strengthening emotional bonds within the family. This section underscores the biological, jurisprudential, and spiritual dimensions of menstruation, highlighting its exalted status within the divine order of creation.
Seclusion during menstruation serves not only women but also provides men with an opportunity for spiritual refinement. This period, akin to a spiritual retreat, invites men to exercise self-restraint and cultivate piety. Just as fasting restricts the soul from material pleasures, seclusion calls men to contemplation and worship. This wisdom acts like a beacon on the path of marital life, fortifying the emotional and spiritual ties between spouses.
The Impact of Seclusion on Family Relations
Seclusion, by creating a temporary distance in conjugal relations, contributes to emotional and spiritual equilibrium within the family. This period, like a breeze sweeping dust from tree branches, grants spouses the chance to move beyond exclusive focus on physical pleasures and engage in their spiritual and ethical development. This process, like a mirror reflecting inner truth, enables men and women to reassess their relationships with deeper insight.
Conclusion of Part Two
Seclusion during menstruation, beyond a legal injunction, is an opportunity for spiritual self-development and enhancement of piety for both men and women. By creating space for reflection and worship, it aids emotional and spiritual balance within family relations and serves as a bridge towards perfection, guiding spouses closer to God.
Polygamy and temporary marriage are established within the Islamic system to meet emotional, social, and sexual needs. Nevertheless, the proper application of these rulings requires the ethical and social competence of men and mutual trust in society. In the absence of these conditions, like a garden left untended, these rulings lead not to flourishing but to tension and mistrust.
Women's Suspicion and Lack of Justice
Womens suspicion of men stems from failures to observe justice and chivalry by some men. This mistrust acts like a heavy shadow over family relationships and arises from wrongful behaviours that violate the rights of the first wife. The Holy Quran in Ayah 3 of Surah An-Nisa emphasises the necessity of justice in polygamy and warns:
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry only one.
This wisdom, like a torch in darkness, underscores the imperative to reform social conduct and strengthen trust.
Women's Sensitivity: Jealousy or Mistrust?
Women's sensitivity towards polygamy is not born of negative jealousy but rather from mistrust towards men who fail to administer justice. This sensitivity acts as a guardian protecting family sanctity and is a natural reaction to social conditions. Jealousy, when it means preserving dignity and rights, is positive; however, mistrust caused by mens misconduct exacerbates social tensions.
Modern society, like a city with a complex order, necessitates systematic regulations across all aspects of life, including familial relations. In primitive societies, individuals managed their affairs independently, but today, akin to a caravan needing coordinated movement, lack of clear laws regarding temporary marriage or polygamy leads to disorder and injustice. This reality highlights the responsibility of lawmakers in organising social relations.
Conclusion of Part Three
Polygamy and temporary marriage, when accompanied by justice and ethical competence, can foster societal prosperity; however, challenges such as mistrust and lack of systematic laws constitute serious obstacles. Reforming social behaviours, strengthening trust, and enacting systematic legislation act like clear water nourishing a garden, assisting the realisation of the objectives of these rulings.
Repentance, like a bridge leading a person from the valley of sin to piety, goes beyond verbal apology. It denotes turning away from error and inner transformation that restores one to the divine path. Ayah 222 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by emphasising God's love for those who repent, illustrates that God rejoices in His servants return to truth, like a father delighted by the homecoming of a lost child.
Purification: External and Internal Cleanliness
Purification includes physical cleanliness (such as ritual bathing) and spiritual purification (such as soul purification). Although repentance itself is a form of internal purification, external purification like bathing without the intention of repentance may become a mechanical act. This distinction, like that between body and soul, emphasises the priority of internal purification. Just as bathing without the intention of nearness to God is merely physical washing, repentance without inner transformation bears no effect on approaching God.
Continuous repentance signifies humility and awareness of human imperfection. Gods saints, such as Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him), seek repentance even in their best deeds, recognising that every act, however virtuous, may have deficiencies. This trait, like a stream flowing perpetually towards the sea, invites humans to continuous self-improvement and closeness to God.
Consistent Intention in Deeds
The intention in acts of worship, such as repentance and purification, must be consistent and present throughout all stages of the act. Like a thread connecting all beads of a rosary, the intention of nearness must permeate every moment of life. This consistency, like a flow of light, guides a person towards divine proximity.
Neglect of the True Meaning of Purification
