[2:236] You would not be at fault if you divorce women while you have not touched them, nor appointed any obligation for them; yet make provision of comforts for them honorably, the one of ample means, according to his means, and the needy man, according to his means - an obligation on the virtuous.
If you have initiated the union with your mates, but then change your mind [before the consummation], there is no fault for you in choosing separation if you wish, for there is only One Whom it is not permissible to choose to separate from. The companionship of human beings with one another is not obligatory but rather is at most prescribed as permissible. But because your name and reputation is now part of theirs, half of the determined amount [of the dowry] must belong to them, for the separation, however it came about, is difficult. So He has appointed what is necessary in compensation to remain with her upon being made to drink the cup of separation. If there was no determined amount, the contract still requires the gift (mutaʿ), for her being made to drink the cup of separation without [some compensatory] comfort is a terrible trial.