The Good Or The Moral Element (10)

In the course of this enumeration, we omitted two articles of the New Testament which seem to contradict the Law of Moses. They concern the divorce and the retaliation.

It is a liberty without restriction which the Pentateuch seems to allow to the husband to repudiate his wife when he finds in her anything: “shameful” or when he feels an “aversion” for her. The Gospel seems to oppose the dissolution of marriage, except for the cause of infidelity.

The same way, against the implacable demand of the murderer's blood and the reparation of any received offence by the like, Jesus teaches the duty not to resist the wicked and to pardon him.

In considering these principles word by word, it seems that Christianity abolished previous laws.  However, in regarding things more closely, we shall see two aspects or two degrees of the same eternal law. The one is called justice and the other charity. Justice assigns human conditions which should not be exceeded if one wants to use his right, whereas one who wants generously to abandon his right, has nothing to be reproached for.

Therefore, in our opinion, the two schemes of the Ancient and the New Testaments, should both be contained and recognized mutually in their alternation, or it should be admitted that they were intended not to govern separately except one restricted group of humanity or a limited period of history.

The true moral rule, then, is that which the two Sacred Books retained apparently each one part, leaving the other part more or less implicit. The Qur’an took charge of proclaiming this integral rule in the most explicit manner and did not omit to emphasize both elements by manifesting their respective value;

“And if you punish, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But, if you endure patiently, verily, it is better... And endure you patiently” (XVI, 126). This is what concerns retaliation and pardon.

As for the right of divorce, we ought to read the Qur’an,

“O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse, and live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good.” (IV, 19),

“And if a woman fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no sin on them both if they make terms of peace between themselves; and making peace is better. And human inner-selves are swayed by greed. But if you do good and keep away from evil, verily, Allâh is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.” (IV, 128),

“If you fear a breach between them twain (the man and his wife), appoint (two) arbitrators, one from his family and the other from her's; if they both wish for peace, Allâh will cause their reconciliation. Indeed Allâh is Ever All-Knower, Well-Acquainted with all things.” (IV, 35),