They ask you about women's menses. Tell them, "It is an ailment. Avoid having carnal relations with them until their period is over." Then you may have carnal relations with them according to the rules of God. God loves those who repent and those who purify themselves. 222 Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like, and do good beforehand for yourselves, and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that you will meet Him, and give good news to the believers. 223 Do not use Allah's name for such oaths which are taken to keep back from virtue, piety and the welfare of mankind: 224 God will not take into account your inattentive oath. However, He will question you about what your hearts have gained. God is All-forgiving and Lenient. 225 For those who forswear their women a wait of four months; if they revert, God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate; 226 And if they have resolved on a divorce, then Allah is surely Hearing, Knowing. 227 The divorced women must wait up to three menstrual cycles before another marriage. If they believe in God and the Day of Judgment, it is not lawful for them to hide what God has created in their wombs. Within their waiting period their husbands have the right to resume marital relations, if they want reconciliation. Women have benefits as well as responsibilities. Men have a status above women. God is Majestic and Wise. 228