وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًا وَصِيَّةً لِّأَزْوَٰجِهِم مَّتَـٰعًا إِلَى ٱلْحَوْلِ غَيْرَ إِخْرَاجٍ ۚ فَإِنْ خَرَجْنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى مَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ مِن مَّعْرُوفٍ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 240
Translations
And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind - for their wives is a bequest: maintenance for one year without turning [them] out. But if they leave [of their own accord], then there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable way. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Transliteration
Wa alladhina yutawaffawna minkum wa yadhrawna azwajan wasiyyatan li-azwajihim mataʿan ila al-hawli ghayra ikhrajin. Fa-in kharajn fala junaha ʿalaykum fi ma faʿalna fi anfusihinna min maʿruf. Wa Allahu ʿAzizun Hakimun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the obligation of men to make a bequest (wasiyyah) for their wives in case of death, providing them maintenance for one year without being forced to leave the home. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this was a directive of compassion toward widows before the detailed laws of inheritance were fully established. The phrase 'without expulsion' emphasizes the widow's right to remain in the marital home, and if she chooses to leave of her own accord with propriety, there is no blame upon the heirs.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan legislation on family law and inheritance matters revealed in Surah Al-Baqarah. It addresses the rights of widows during a transitional period of Islamic law, establishing both their financial security and housing rights after a husband's death. The subsequent verse (2:241) clarifies inheritance rights more explicitly, indicating this ayah represents an earlier stage of Islamic legal guidance on widows' provisions.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding women's rights: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives' (Jami` at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized honoring one's wife and maintaining family bonds, which relates to the compassionate intent behind this provision for widows.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islam prioritizes the dignity and financial security of vulnerable women, requiring men to plan for their families' wellbeing after death. Modern believers should view estate planning and wills as religious obligations rooted in compassion rather than legal formalities alone.
Related Ayahs
وَلَن تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلْيَهُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۗ وَلَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم بَعْدَ ٱلَّذِى جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
And never will the Jews and the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion. Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allāh is the [only] guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allāh no protector or helper.
وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And fight in the cause of Allāh and know that Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allāh - those expect the mercy of Allāh. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
يَمْحَقُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَيُرْبِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
Allāh destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allāh does not like every sinning disbeliever.