CAUSE OF THE REVELATION (VERSE NO. 87-89)

      Once the prophet made a speech for the believers about Resurrection Day and final judgement. He explained how dreadful the punishment of the sinners and evil doers in the blazing fire of Hell might be. He also gave a detail of the pleasing rewards that awaits the pious believers in Paradise.

      The speech incited in the audience a sudden surprise with fear by apprehension of the danger, and following that; a group of the prophet's companions decided to abstain from some of the wordly pleasures.

      Then a little later the wife to Othmجn -ibn- Mazun - a prophet's near companion, paid a visit to Aisha, the prophe't's young wife. The visitor who was a real beauty, had her hairs dishevelled, her face unadorned, and her dress not so neat as it should have been!

      The prophet's wife criticized the Muslims woman for being dishevelled, unadorned, and inappropriat in appearance. The young woman said to prophet's wife:-

      ``For who should I adorn and beautify myself, when my husband has abandoned me, and adhered to monasticism? He has abstained from sexual intercourse, and withheld eating good things, and refrained wearing new or neat suit for the fear of Dooms Day! All the time he is fasting and busy in prayer!''

      AISHط reported what the young woman said to the prophet, and next day the prophet made an emergency call of gathering all Muslims together, and made a speech for them saying:-

      ``All of you should know that I will tell you of my methodical way, and practical conducts, and he who does not follow me, he is not mine. (i.e. he is not a Muslim)

      You should know that I sleep a part of the night, and I do have sexual intercourse with my wives; and I do not fast all the days.

      Be you aware that I never order you to leave the lawful pleasures of life, and adhere to monasticism like the Christian priests and monks because such abstention and asceticism is not found in my religion. In Islam monsaticism has been replaced by strive and sacred fight for the cause of Allah.''

      When the prophet said so, some of the believers got up and said:- ``O, Messenger of God! We have sworn to refrain from sexual intercourse, and other worldly pleasures for the sake of God! What happens to our oath and promise then?'' The verses (No. 87-89) were revealed to guide them what was to be done?

TRANSGRESS NOT THE BOUNDARIES

      ``O, you who believe! Do not forbid the wholesome things, which Allah has made lawful to you; but transgress not the limits.''

      In other hand; there is not merit or honour in abstention from using good things. In the worldy pleasures that are declared lawful and wholesome, only excess is blamed and considered bad. Therefore one should take care in that, not to exceed the boundaries and the red lines. In the sight of Islam, monasticism and asceticism is disapproved of. A Muslim should be moderate, but should make use of all kinds of Allah's gifts with gratitude and thanks and as for excess, he should avoid.

      On the other hand, vows of penance, mortification, or abstention, may sometimes be worthless, or even may prevent the vowed from doing a good and virtuous act. Therefore a Muslim should not use God's sacred name in vain and futile oaths, and tie a chain around his feet, to hinder himself from doing a lawful act.

      Of course the solemn oaths, that are deliberately taken, have to be observed, and if some body is not able to carry out his promises, he has to expiate his failure by feeding or clothing ten indigent persons, or buying the freedom of a slave. And if he cannot afford that, he has to fast three days as an expiation.