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.