لَّا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن طَلَّقْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ مَا لَمْ تَمَسُّوهُنَّ أَوْ تَفْرِضُوا۟ لَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةً ۚ وَمَتِّعُوهُنَّ عَلَى ٱلْمُوسِعِ قَدَرُهُۥ وَعَلَى ٱلْمُقْتِرِ قَدَرُهُۥ مَتَـٰعًۢا بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 236
Translations
There is no blame upon you if you divorce women you have not touched nor specified for them an obligation. But give them [a gift of] compensation - the wealthy according to his capability and the poor according to his capability - a provision according to what is acceptable, a duty upon the doers of good.
Transliteration
La junaha alaikum in tallaqtumu an-nisaa ma lam tamassoohunna aw tafridoo lahunna fareedah. Wa matti'oohunna alal-mousai qaduruh wa alal-muqtari qaduruh mataaan bil-ma'roof. Haqqa alal-muhsineen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the rulings regarding divorce before consummation or specification of mahr (dower), establishing that there is no obligation for a full mahr in such cases, though the husband must provide a gift of consolation (mut'ah) according to his means as an act of kindness. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this ruling reflects Islamic mercy toward women, ensuring basic financial consideration even when marriage has not been fully consummated, and that providing mut'ah is obligatory for those of means and recommended for those of limited means.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan legislation on marriage and divorce in Surah Al-Baqarah, revealed to establish just practices in matrimonial affairs during the Prophet's time in Medina. It responds to the broader legislative context of defining women's rights and financial protections in Islamic marriage law.
Related Hadiths
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding divorced women: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives' (Sunan Ibn Majah and Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet's practice of commanding mut'ah for divorced women without specified mahr is attested in multiple hadith collections including Sahih Muslim.
Themes
Key Lesson
Even when marriage relationships end, Islam mandates compassion and financial fairness toward women, reminding believers that treating others with kindness and generosity is both a legal obligation and a moral principle. This ayah teaches that true excellence (ihsan) lies in fulfilling obligations graciously, especially toward the vulnerable.
Related Ayahs
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَـٰجِدَ ٱللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ وَسَعَىٰ فِى خَرَابِهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَآ إِلَّا خَآئِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allāh from being mentioned [i.e., praised] in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment.
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Battle has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allāh knows, while you know not.
يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
۞ أَتَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?