وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًا يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ۖ فَإِذَا بَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ 234
Translations
And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - they, [the wives, shall] wait four months and ten [days]. And when they have fulfilled their term, then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
Transliteration
Wa-alladhina yutawaffawna minkum wa-yadhruuna azwajan yatarabbasna bi-anfusihinna arba'ata ashhurin wa-'ashran fa-idha balaghna ajalahunna fa-la junaha 'alaykum fima fa'alna fi anfusihinna bi-al-ma'ruf wa-allahu bima ta'malun khabir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the 'iddah (waiting period) for widows, requiring them to observe four months and ten days of mourning following their husband's death during which they must remain in their homes and abstain from beautification and remarriage. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this period serves both as a mark of respect for the deceased and, in the case of younger widows, to determine if pregnancy exists. After completing this waiting period, widows are permitted to marry or engage in other lawful activities as they see fit, and Allah is aware of all their actions.
Revelation Context
This verse was revealed in Medina and addresses the legal and social status of widows in the early Muslim community. It follows the broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah's treatment of marriage, divorce, and related matters. The ayah provides specific rulings regarding women's rights and protections during vulnerability, reflecting the Islamic legislative framework for social welfare.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab asked widows about their waiting period, and the Sunnah confirms the four months and ten days ('arba'atu ashhurin wa 'ashrun) as the binding period. Additionally, hadith traditions in Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan Ibn Majah discuss exemptions for pregnant widows, whose 'iddah ends upon childbirth.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah demonstrates Islam's balanced approach to honoring the deceased while protecting widows' dignity and future, teaching believers that Islamic law considers both spiritual and practical aspects of human life with mercy and wisdom.