Verse 2:238 , what made people think this is to do with "Ritual Prayers" ?
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Peace
Could anyone please explain why 2238 is understood and translated as about "Prayers/Middle Prayer" , particularly when preceding and subsequent verses deal with women , wives and divorce ? Why would god change subject for 2 verses in 2238-239 then , abruptly revert to the subject immediately after up to verse 2242 ?
I am asking this question as I am trying to make sense of 2238-239 regarding "al salat al wusta" and its meanings .
Peace
almarh0m
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Peace
Could anyone please explain why 2238 is understood and translated as about "Prayers/Middle Prayers"
Muslim PBUH
Book 004, Number 1316
Abu Yunus, the freed slave of 'A'isha said 'A'isha ordered me to transcribe a copy of the Qur'an for her and said When you reach this verse" Guard the prayers and the middle prayer" (ii. 23, inform me; so when I reached it, I informed her and she gave me dictation (like this) Guard the prayers and the middle prayer and the afternoon prayer, and stand up truly obedient to Allah. 'A'isha said This is how I have heard from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him).
Book 004, Number 1317
Al-Bara' b. 'Azib reported This verse was revealed (in this way)" Guard the prayers and the 'Asr prayer." We recited it (in this very way) so long as Allah desired. Allah, then, abrogated it and it was revealed" Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer." ......
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2235You do nothing wrong in announcing your engagement to (widowed or divorced) women or keeping it to yourselves. God knows that the community will think about them. But, never make a secret pledge or contract with them. Speak with them honorably and in recognized words. Do not tie the wedding knot nor sign the marital contract until the waiting period has ended. Know that God understands human psyche, and what is in your hearts. Take heed of Him and know that God is Forgiving, Clement.
2236And, there is no blame on you if you nullify the marriage before you have intimately touched the women with whom you have signed the marital contract, and before you have appointed the marital gift. This would be an unexpected situation involving emotional trauma. Therefore, show compassion by giving her as generous a gift as you can afford. This would be an act of equity and it is a binding duty on all those who wish to be counted among the benefactors of humanity.
2237.. And if unexpected circumstances lead you to divorce women before you have intimately touched them, but after the marital gift has been fixed, give them half the amount unless they volunteer to forgo it. If the move for divorce originates purely from you, let her have the whole portion. If you men forgo it, it is closer to righteousness. O People! Never forget kindness among yourselves. This Command is from God Whose Law of Requital ever monitors your actions and the motives behind them.
2238(While describing some important marital Laws), it is reiterated that, your Central Duty remains the guarding of the System in which individuals and families can develop their potentials to the maximum. Stay alert in obedience to God.
2239Whether fear threatens you from without, or you are strolling, riding, relaxing in peace, remember God as He has taught you (the Right and Wrong) that you did not know.
2240Men must testify in a written, legal will that, after their death, their widows will receive one year?s maintenance without their being obliged to leave the house. But, if they leave on their own accord, there is nothing wrong in letting them do whatever they wish to do with their own lives in a lawful manner. And God is Almighty, the Wise (and He grants this permission).
2241The widowed and divorced women must be provided for in kindness and equity. This is a duty for those who wish to live upright.
2242Thus, God makes His revelations clear for you. Now, it is up to you to use your intellect.
This is how it is explained in www.ourbeacon.com
I pray for guidance from our Creator -
2235 There is no blame upon you if you openly propose marriage to these women, or you keep it between yourselves. God knows that you will be thinking of them, but do not meet them secretly, unless you have something righteous to say. Do not consummate the marriage until the required interim is reached in the book. Know that God knows what is in your minds, so be conscientious of Him, and know that God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
2236 There is no blame on you if you divorce the women before having sexual intercourse with them, or before committing to what was agreed for them. Let them have compensation, the rich according to his means, and the poor according to his means. Compensation, which is according to the recognized norms, is a responsibility for good-doers.
2237 If you divorce them before having sexual intercourse with them, but you have already agreed to the dowry, then you must give half of what you have agreed, unless they forgive or the guardian over the marriage contract forgives. If you forgive, it is closer to awareness. Do not forget the favor between you; God is Seer over what you do.
2238 Preserve the contact prayers, and the middle contact prayer, and stand devoutly for God.
2239 But if you are in a state of worry, then you may do so while walking or riding. If you become secure, then remember God as He has taught you what you did not know
Please read the following part of the end note of 2238 from the Reformist Translation
The interruption of the subject on divorce with verses about the contact prayers does not violate textual coherence, since one of the purposes of the prayer is to ask for God's help and guidance during difficult times, and divorce is one of those times. See 245; 2945.
2242 It is such that God clarifies to you His signs/revelations that you may reason.
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