يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نَكَحْتُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ طَلَّقْتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ فَمَا لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ عِدَّةٍ تَعْتَدُّونَهَا ۖ فَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ وَسَرِّحُوهُنَّ سَرَاحًا جَمِيلًا 49
Translations
O you who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them [i.e., consummated the marriage], then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu idha nakhahtum al-mu'minat thumma tallaqtumuhunna min qabli an tamassuuhunna fama lakum alayihinna min iddatin ta'tadduunaha famatti'uhunna wa sarrihhuhunna sarahan jamilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the ruling regarding divorce before consummation (before intimate relations): when a believer divorces a believing woman before having sexual relations with her, she incurs no waiting period ('iddah). However, the husband should still provide her with a gift (mut'ah) and release her with kind treatment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this is a merciful ruling that acknowledges the woman's dignity while recognizing that without consummation, the marriage has not fully taken effect, hence no extended 'iddah is required.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ahzab, revealed in Medina during the consolidation of Islamic family law. The broader context addresses marriage, divorce, and women's rights, reflecting the Qur'an's comprehensive framework for protecting women's dignity and ensuring just treatment in marital dissolution. This specific ruling provides clarity on a practical scenario that arose in the early Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The ruling is supported by reports in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the obligation of mut'ah (gift upon divorce). 'Aishah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) established the principle of kindness in divorce proceedings, with various narrations discussing the mut'ah for women divorced before consummation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Islam balances legal justice with mercy: while acknowledging differences in marital status based on consummation, it never permits harsh or unjust treatment of women. This teaches believers to approach family matters with both wisdom and compassion, ensuring kindness even in difficult circumstances.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
Indeed, Allāh confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allāh to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allāh to grant him] peace.
وَلَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن قَبْلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ۚ وَكَانَ عَهْدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسْـُٔولًا
And they had already promised Allāh before not to turn their backs [i.e., flee]. And ever is the promise to Allāh [that about which one will be] questioned.
وَأَنزَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَـٰهَرُوهُم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِن صَيَاصِيهِمْ وَقَذَفَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلرُّعْبَ فَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ وَتَأْسِرُونَ فَرِيقًا
And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ شَـٰهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner