Amatulla’s Comment on 2-223:

On the surface this verse may simply imply about no limitation on ‘when or how’ to engage sexually. However, going deeper, this analogy speaks volumes as to the proper mindset a man must maintain in pursuing the sexual relationship with his wife. A man who has to cultivate a land for living, the land is the man’s source of sustenance, the most precious thing in life. If the outcome is bad due to his mishandling or abuse, his stake is high in life as that would affect his entire life and living. Therefore, as fulfillment of and dependency on sexuality in marriage is emphasized, so is the consideration of children, the shape and nature of the family and the entire spectrum of life that sex deeply influence. The physical aspect of the act has to be complemented by bringing the spiritual element in it. The spirituality with respect to sexuality has to take place before one approaches his wife: God’s gift of love, trust and bridge-building with another human being must be borne in mind and appreciated in the whole spectrum of relationship.

Sura-2 [Al-Baqara medina 87]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

نِسَآؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُواْ حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّى شِئْتُمْ وَقَدِّمُواْ لأَنفُسِكُمْ ...

2:223. Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will. But do some good act for your souls beforehand;

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّكُم مُّلاَقُوهُ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٢٣﴾

and fear Allah, and know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.

Asad’s Version:

2: 223

Your wives are your tilth; go, then, unto your tilth as you may desire, but first provide something for your souls [note 211], remain conscious of God, and know that your are destined to meet Him.

Yuksel’s version

2:223 Your women are cultivation for you. So approach your cultivation as you wish towards goodness. Be conscientious of God and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to those who acknowledge.*

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Asad’s notes:- 211 In other words, a spiritual relationship between man and woman is postulated as the indispensable basis of sexual relations.

Ali’s comment –

C249. Sex is not a thing to be ashamed of, or to be treated lightly, or to be indulged to excess.

It is as solemn a fact as any in life. It is compared to a husbandman's tilth; it is a serious affair to him; he sows the seed in order to reap the harvest. But he chooses his own time and mode of cultivation. He does not sow out of season nor cultivate in a manner which will injure or exhaust the soul. He is wise and considerate and does not run riot.

Coming from the simile to human beings, every kind of mutual consideration is required, but above all, we must remember that even in these matters there is a spiritual aspect. We must never forget our souls, and that we are responsible to Allah.

It was carnal-minded men who invented the doctrine of original sin:

"Behold," says the Psalmist, "I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalms 51:5).

C250. Our highest spiritual ambition should be the hope of meeting Allah. To uphold such a hope is to give glad tidings to people of faith. It would only be unrepentant sinners who would fear the meeting.

Note how the most sensuous matters are discussed frankly, and immediately taken up into the loftiest regions of spiritual upliftment.

This is entirely repudiated by Islam, in which the office of father and mother is held in the highest venerations. Every child of pure love is born pure. Celibacy is not necessarily a virtue, and may be a vice.