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at some previous stage, as mentioned in the Qurlan (65,1).
It in the divorces's right to receive back the postponed
dowry that was agreed upon at the time of the marriage. The husband
is obliged to pay his ex-wife the full sum without retaining any
amount if he is initiating the divorce; however. she has the right
to return part or all of her dowry if she wishes to seek the divorce,
as was made clear in the Qurlan (2.229). In the event of divorcing
her husband before consummating the marriage, she is assigned half the
dowry only. However. the husband might grant her the full sum before
consummating the marriage as an act of generosity. If the amount
of dowry has not been specified, it is her right before consummating
the marriage to be given a sum of money in accordance with the
husband's financial situation, Qurlan (2.236). Also. she has the
right to be paid for suckling her own infant if she has any;
"And if they suckle your (offspring) give them their
recompense and take mutual counsel together,
according to what is just and reasonable. And if
you find yourselves in difficulties, let another woman
suckle the child on the father's behalf. " 2
Thus, Islam has imposed the support of an infant on the father,
including the provision of a wet nurse, or a foster mother if the
mother is not willing to breast feed and if it is impossible to find
a good wet nurse. In the case of the child refusing the milk of any
other woman than his mother, the wife is obliged to suckle him in
order to keep him in good health.
However, if another woman is availablel the mother is
under no obligation to feed her children herself since she might
sometimes be unable to do so out of illnesel weakness or lack of milk.
1. al-Hussaini, MUbshir, ll-Marlah wa Huq5'qahi' fi al-Islam, P. 84
2. Q. * 6596
121