And they ask thee of menstruation. Say thou: it is a pollution, so keep away from women during menstruation, and go not in unto them until they have purified themselves. Then when they have thoroughly purified themselves, go in unto them as Allah hath commanded you. Verily Allah loveth the penitents, and loveth the purifiers of themselves. 222 Your wives are your tilth; go, then, unto your tilth as you may desire, but first provide something for your souls, and remain conscious of God, and know that you are destined to meet Him. And give glad tidings unto those who believe. 223 And make not Allah, by your oaths, a hindrance to your being righteous and observing your duty unto Him and making peace among mankind. Allah is Hearer, Knower. 224 God will not call you to account for that which is senseless in your oaths, but only for what is in your hearts; for God is forgiving and forbearing. 225 Those who swear to keep away from their wives (with intent of divorcing them) have four months of grace; then if they reconcile (during this period), surely God is forgiving and kind. 226 but if they resolve on divorce, surely God is All-hearing, All-knowing. 227 Divorced women should wait for three menstrual cycles; it is unlawful for them, if they believe in God and the Last Day, to hide what God has created in their wombs. Their husbands have the right to take them back within that time, if they desire to be reconciled. The wives have rights corresponding to those which the husbands have, according to what is recognized to be fair, but men have a rank above them. God is almighty and all wise. 228