465 
The Arabic word /'umatti'kunna/ is derived from /mut'ah/ and, as it has been
said in the commentary of Sura Al-Baqarah, No. 2, verse 236, its purpose is a
present which is fit with the rank of a woman.
Here the purpose is that he ought to add to the dowry an appropriate sum, or
if there has not been appointed a particular dowry he may give them a worthy
present so that they become content and happy and that their separation would
occur in a friendly environment.
The Arabic word /sarāh)/ is originally derived from /sarh)/ in the sense of a
plant which has leaves and fruit; and the Arabic phrase: /sarah)tul-'abil/ means
'I left the camels to enjoy the plants and the leaves of the trees'. Then, it
has been used in a vaster scope of meaning, with the sense of any kind of
leaving anything and anyone; and sometimes it is also used ironically in the
sense of 'to divorce'.
However, the objective meaning of the Qur'ānic phrase: /sarāh)an jamīlā/ (in
a handsome manner) mentioned in the verse under discussion is: 'To set women
free pleasantly and without any quarrel and wrath.
Here, there are some detailed discussions among the Islamic commentators and
jurists whether the purpose of this statement mentioned in the above verse is
that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) let his wives free between remaining or they
separate, and if they chose separation, it would itself be counted as divorce
and it did not need the formula of repudiation to be recited. Or the purpose has
been this that they would choose one of those two ways. If they chose
separation, the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) would recite the formula of repudiation,
otherwise they would remain in their own state.
| 