Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَآئِكُمْ...

2:187. Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives.

... هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ ...

They are your garments. And ye are their garments.

C195. Men and women are each other's garments: i.e., they are for mutual support, mutual comfort, and mutual protection, fitting into each other as a garment fits the body.

A garment also is both for show and concealment.

The question of sex is always delicate to handle: here we are told that even in such matters a clear, open, and honest course is better than fraud or self-deception. The sex instinct is classed with eating and drinking, an animal thing to be restrained, but not to be ashamed of. The three things are prohibited during the fast by day, but permitted after the fast is broken at night till the next fast commences.

... عَلِمَ اللّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتانُونَ أَنفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنكُمْ...

Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you;

... فَالآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُواْ مَا كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَكُمْ...

so now associate with them, and seek what Allah hath ordained for you,

C196. There is difference of opinion as to the exact meaning of this. I would connect this as a parallel clause with the clause "eat and drink", which follows, all three being governed by "until the white thread", etc.

That is, all three things must stop when the fast begins again in the early morning.

Or it may mean: What is permitted is well enough, but seek the higher things ordained for you.

... وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ...

and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread;

C197. Those in touch with Nature know the beautiful effects of early dawn.

First appear thin white indefinable streaks of light in the east; then a dark zone supervenes; followed by a beautiful pinkish white zone clearly defined from the dark.

This is the true dawn; after that the fast begins.

... ثُمَّ أَتِمُّواْ الصِّيَامَ إِلَى الَّليْلِ...

then complete your fast till the night appears;

C198. Till the night appears: From the actual practice of the Holy Prophet, this is rightly interpreted to mean: "Till sunset."

... وَلاَ تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ ...

but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques.

C199. This verse refers to the known Islamic practice called i'tikaf which means retreating to Mosques for devotion and worship. The Prophet (peace be on him) used to retreat to the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan. [Eds].

... تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللّهِ فَلاَ تَقْرَبُوهَا...

Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto.

C200. I construe these limits as applying to the whole of the regulations about fasts.

... كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٨٧﴾

Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men, that they may learn self-restraint.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ...

2:222. They ask thee concerning women's courses.

... قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى ...

Say:

They are a hurt and a pollution;

C247. Adhan: hurt, pollution.

Both aspects must be remembered. Physical cleanliness and purity make for health, bodily and spiritual. But the matter should be looked at from the woman's point of view as well as the man's. To her there is danger of hurt, and she should have every consideration.

In the animal world, instinct is a guide which is obeyed. Man should in this respect be better: he is often worse.

... فَاعْتَزِلُواْ النِّسَاء فِي الْمَحِيضِ وَلاَ تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىَ يَطْهُرْنَ...

so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean.

... فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ اللّهُ ...

But when they have purified themselves ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah.

C248. Haythu: A comprehensive word referring to manner, time, or place.

The most delicate matters are here referred to in the most discreet and yet helpful terms.

In sex morality, manner, time, and place are all important: and the highest standards are set by social laws, by our own refined instinct of mutual consideration, and above all, by the light shed by the highest Teachers form the wisdom which they receive from our Maker, Who loves purity and cleanliness in all things.

... إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾

For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.

Asad’s Version:

2: 187 It is lawful for you to go in unto your wives during the night preceding the [day’s] fast: they are as a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. God is aware that you would have deprived yourselves of this right, and so He has turned unto you in His mercy and removed this hardship from you. Now, then you may lie with them shin to skin, and avail yourselves God has ordained for you, and eat and drink until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of night, and then resume fasting until nightfall; but do not lie with them skin to skin when you are abut to abide in meditation in houses of worship.

Yusuf Ali Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives. They are your garments. And ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men that they may learn self-restraint.

Pickthall It is made lawful for you to go unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are raiment for you and ye are raiment for them. Allah is aware that ye were deceiving yourselves in this respect and He hath turned in mercy toward you and relieved you. So hold intercourse with them and seek that which Allah hath ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and touch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques. These are the limits imposed by Allah, so approach them not. Thus Allah expoundeth His revelations to mankind that they may ward off (evil).

Transliteration Uhilla lakum lailatas siya_mir rafasu ila_ nisa_'ikum, hunna liba_sul lakum wa antum liba_sul lahunn(a), 'alimalla_hu annakum kuntum takhta_nu_na anfusakum fa ta_ba 'alaikum wa 'afa_ 'ankum, fal a_na ba_syiru_hunna wab tagu_ ma_ kataballa_hu lakum wa kulu_ was rabu_ hatta yatabayyana lakumul khaitul abyadu minal khaitil aswadi minal fajr(i), summa atimmus siya_ma ilal lail(i), wa la_ tuba_syiru_hunna wa antum 'a_kifu_n(a), fil masa_jid(i), tilka hudu_dulla_hi fala_ taqrabu_ha_, kaza_lika yubayyinulla_hu a_ya_tihi lin na_si la'allahum yattaqu_n(a).

[ Ruby’s note – I disagree with Ali that sex is treated here the same way as eating and drinking. God did not used the word “ordained” here for eating and drinking. One has to do these in order to live. However, sex is something else. One can live without sex in life, no matter how difficult it could be.

Using the word “ordained” in regard to sex then implies that has a higher nature than it appears to be. Sex has both physical and spiritual aspects. The bonding between two human beings in a state of physical intimacy and closeness is what is implied here. One can feel deep spirituality in the ecstasy and happiness in this state of union. And God has ordained this for human being in order to make life fulfilled and complete. There is no recommendation for celibacy in Islam. I believe this is the reason. God’s love and giving can be experienced and appreciated in this aspect of life and it can contribute towards a fulfilled life and towards reaching its potential.

However, the physical aspect of sex could be overwhelming and can be a distraction in meditation. Therefore it is not recommended while one is trying to be in deep meditation. I see no contradiction in this. These two state involve different kinds of ecstasy and realm. Both are needed in life. ]

[ Asad’s notes: 160 Lit., “and seek that which God has ordained for you”: and obvious stress on the God-willed nature of sexual life.

note 162 – It was the practice of the Prophet to spend several days and nights during Ramadan – and occasionally also at other times – in the mosque, devoting himself to prayer and meditation to the exclusion of all worldly activities; ………..]

[ Ali’s note: 195 Men and women are each other's garments: i.e., they are for mutual support, mutual comfort, and mutual protection, fitting into each other as a garment fits the body. A garment also is both for show and concealment. The question of sex is always delicate to handle: here we are told that even in such matters a clear, open, and honest course is better than fraud or self-deception. The sex instinct is classed with eating and drinking, an animal thing to be restrained, but not to be ashamed of. The three things are prohibited during the fast by day, but permitted after the fast is broken at night till the next fast commences. (2.187)

196 There is difference of opinion as to the exact meaning of this. I would connect this as a parallel clause with the clause "eat and drink", which follows, all three being governed by "until the white thread", etc. That is, all three things must stop when the fast begins again in the early morning. Or it may mean: What is permitted is well enough, but seek the higher things ordained for you. (2.187)

199 Retreat to the Mosques by night after the fast is broken is specially recommended towards the end of Ramadham, so that all carnal temptations may be avoided. (2.187)

200 I construe these limits as applying to the whole of the regulations about fasts. (2.187)

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