205 (223) نِسَآؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُواْ حَرْثَكُمْ...

And give gladtidings to the believers (O' Muhammad) ." Commentary: A Means of Protection for the Human Race In this verse wives are likened to a tillage. This metaphor about women may seem heavy in the eyes of some people because Islam has stated such a speech upon half of the population of the world. But there is a thin and delicate meaning in this comparison.

By this statement, in fact, the Qur'an intends to illustrate the necessity of the existence of women in the human crowd as an essential means of protection and maintenace of humankind, not as a means of quenching the lust and venereal desire.

" Your women are a tilth for you, so come into your tilth as you will, ..." Similar to the need of man for nourishment for the continuance of his life, that without farming and producing food stuff this aim cannot be obtained, the same is for the maintenance of human race wherefore, and as one of the reasons that, the existence of women is needed. This meaning is counted as warning to those who consider women as a toy and a means of sensuality.

"...and forward (good deeds) beforehand for yourselves, ..." This phrase again is, indeed, a hint to this matter that the ideal of sexual intercourse is not a mere pleasure and seeking of enjoyment. Believing persons should utilize the gift of conjugal relations for producing and training good and eligible children which is itself a sacred service as a spiritual supply forwarded beforehand for their own coming 206 life in the Hereafter.

Hence, the Qur'an attracts the attentions to this important fact that, in choosing a wife, observe some principles that lead to developing righteous offsprings and supplying this great social and manly treasure.