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
ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَـٰلَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُۥ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًا
[Allāh praises] those who convey the messages of Allāh and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allāh. And sufficient is Allāh as Accountant.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا
Muḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.
وَأَوْرَثَكُمْ أَرْضَهُمْ وَدِيَـٰرَهُمْ وَأَمْوَٰلَهُمْ وَأَرْضًا لَّمْ تَطَـُٔوهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرًا
And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.