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
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَمَثُوبَةٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ ۖ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
And if they had believed and feared Allāh, then the reward from Allāh would have been [far] better, if they only knew.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلْهُدَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ ٱللَّـٰعِنُونَ
Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allāh and cursed by those who curse,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."