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It hath been laid down in the &Bayan that marriage
is dependent upon the consent of both parties. Desiring
to establish love, unity and harmony amidst Our
servants, We have conditioned it, once the couple's
wish is known, upon the permission of their parents,
lest enmity and rancour should arise amongst them.
And in this We have yet other purposes. Thus hath
Our commandment been ordained.
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No marriage may be contracted without payment
of a dowry, which hath been fixed for city-dwellers at
nineteen &mithqals of pure gold, and for village-dwellers
at the same amount in silver. Whoso wisheth to
increase this sum, it is forbidden him to exceed the
limit of ninety-five &mithqals. Thus hath the command
been writ in majesty and power. If he content himself,
however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be
better for him according to the Book. God, verily, enricheth
whomsoever He willeth through both heavenly
and earthly means, and He, in truth, hath power over
all things.
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It hath been decreed by God that, should any one
of His servants intend to travel, he must fix for his wife
a time when he will return home. If he return by the
promised time, he will have obeyed the bidding of his
Lord and shall be numbered by the Pen of His behest
among the righteous; otherwise, if there be good reason
for delay, he must inform his wife and make the utmost
endeavour to return to her. Should neither of these
eventualities occur, it behoveth her to wait for a period
of nine months, after which there is no impediment to
her taking another husband; but should she wait
longer, God, verily, loveth those women and men who
show forth patience. Obey ye My commandments, and
follow not the ungodly, they who have been reckoned
as sinners in God's Holy Tablet. If, during the period
of her waiting, word should reach her from her
husband, she should choose the course that is praiseworthy.
He, of a truth, desireth that His servants and
His handmaids should be at peace with one another;
take heed lest ye do aught that may provoke
intransigence amongst you. Thus hath the decree been
fixed and the promise come to pass. If, however, news
should reach her of her husband's death or murder, and be
confirmed by general report, or by the testimony of two
just witnesses, it behoveth her to remain single; then,
upon completion of the fixed number of months, she is
free to adopt the course of her choosing. Such is the
bidding of Him Who is mighty and powerful in His
command.
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Should resentment or antipathy arise between
husband and wife, he is not to divorce her but to bide
in patience throughout the course of one whole year,
that perchance the fragrance of affection may be
renewed between them. If, upon the completion of this
period, their love hath not returned, it is permissible
for divorce to take place. God's wisdom, verily, hath
encompassed all things. The Lord hath prohibited, in a
Tablet inscribed by the Pen of His command, the
practice to which ye formerly had recourse when thrice
ye had divorced a woman. This He hath done as a
favour on His part, that ye may be accounted among
the thankful. He who hath divorced his wife may
choose, upon the passing of each month, to remarry her
when there is mutual affection and consent, so long as
she hath not taken another husband. Should she have
wed again, then, by this other union, the separation is
confirmed and the matter is concluded unless, clearly,
her circumstances change. Thus hath the decree been
inscribed with majesty in this glorious Tablet by Him
Who is the Dawning-place of Beauty.
Continued...
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