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
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allāh invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses [i.e., ordinances] to the people that perhaps they may remember.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allāh -
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ فَأْذَنُوا۟ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allāh and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.
۞ سَيَقُولُ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَا وَلَّىٰهُمْ عَن قِبْلَتِهِمُ ٱلَّتِى كَانُوا۟ عَلَيْهَا ۚ قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلْمَشْرِقُ وَٱلْمَغْرِبُ ۚ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
The foolish among the people will say, "What has turned them away from their qiblah, which they used to face?" Say, "To Allāh belongs the east and the west. He guides whom He wills to a straight path."