In the pagan era, woman was a thing of no value in the sight of Pagan Arabs. They had ugly and unfair ways of harming and suppressing their wives and putting them down. One of such a bad ways and customs was famed as: `ellaa' - Sometimes through anger or his caprice, a husband took an oath by God not to approach his wife in sexual affairs. This deprived her of all her matrimonial rights, and at the same time kept her tied to the husband, as a slave girl was tied to her master! She was, in fact, not like a married woman, neither a widow.

      On the other hand the husband was not under any pressure, and had not such shortcomings as the woman, because they usually had several wives in their service! If he was blamed for his act, and was asked to present reasons for his refrain, he would say that his oath of `ELLAA' has bound him! This unfair and unjust custom was suppressed by Islam: ``As for those who take an oath for abstention from their wives, a waiting for four months is ordained - If they changed their minds, Allah is forgiving.''

      In such a serious matter if an oath is put forward as an excuse, the man is told that it is no excuse at all, and God is Forgiving. He can easily return back to his wife with an expiation for his oath which may be an act of charity. The parties are allowed a period of four months, in order to make up their minds, and see if they are seriously determined against reconciliation, then divorce is the only fair and equitable way that is left before them.