وَلِلْمُطَلَّقَـٰتِ مَتَـٰعٌۢ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ 241
Translations
And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
Transliteration
Wa-lilmutallaqāti matāʿun bil-maʿrūf, ḥaqqan ʿalā al-muttaqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that divorced women have the right to receive maintenance (matāʿ) from their ex-husbands according to what is customary and reasonable (bil-maʿrūf), and this is made an obligatory duty (ḥaqq) upon those who fear Allah (al-muttaqīn). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this provision ensures the dignity and financial security of divorced women during their waiting period (ʿiddah) and reflects Islamic concern for the vulnerable. The phrase 'ḥaqq ʿalā al-muttaqīn' (a duty upon the God-fearing) underscores that providing for divorced women is not merely a recommended act but a binding obligation rooted in piety and social responsibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the comprehensive legislation on divorce (talāq) in Surah Al-Baqarah, revealed in Madinah to address the practical legal needs of the Muslim community. It follows verses detailing divorce procedures and rights, establishing protections for women during marital dissolution—a critical social reform in 7th-century Arabian society.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (5273): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives.' This hadith emphasizes kindness to women, which extends to fair treatment during divorce. Also relevant: Abu Dawud (2226) regarding the obligation to provide maintenance (nafaqah) for divorced women during their waiting period.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true piety (taqwa) is demonstrated through fulfilling financial and social obligations toward those in vulnerable circumstances, particularly divorced women. It reminds us that Islamic law prioritizes human dignity and justice, especially for those whose status changes, and that generosity and fair treatment in difficult situations are marks of God-consciousness.
Related Ayahs
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
Then you turned away after that. And if not for the favor of Allāh upon you and His mercy, you would have been among the losers.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِى نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided.
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِى كَيْفَ تُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن ۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِى ۖ قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ ٱجْعَلْ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِّنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ٱدْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا ۚ وَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead." [Allāh] said, "Have you not believed?" He said, "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied." [Allāh] said, "Take four birds and commit them to yourself. Then [after slaughtering them] put on each hill a portion of them; then call them - they will come [flying] to you in haste. And know that Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise."