ﱱ ﱲ ﱳ ﱴ ﱵ ﱶ ﱷ ﱸ ﱹ ﱺ ﱻ ﱼ ﱽ ﱾ ﱿ ﲀ ﲁ ﲂ ﲃ ﲄ ﲅ ﲆ ﲇ
O You who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.
Tafsir
Verse range: 33:49
The connection of this verse to what precedes it is that in this Surah, Allah has mentioned noble morals and disciplined His Prophet (peace be upon him), as we have previously detailed. However, Allah the Exalted commanded His believing servants with what He commanded His Messenger. Thus, whenever a virtue or a lesson in etiquette is mentioned for the Prophet, a corresponding instruction is given to the believers.
Just as Allah began disciplining the Prophet (PBUH) by mentioning what relates to his duty to God—saying: "O Prophet, fear Allah" (33:1)—and then followed up with what concerns those under his authority, his wives, saying: "O Prophet, say to your wives..." (33:28), and thirdly, what concerns the general public, saying: "O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness..." (33:45)—similarly, He began guiding the believers by addressing their duty to God: "O you who have believed, remember Allah with frequent remembrance" (33:41). Then, He followed up with what concerns those under their authority: "O you who have believed, when you marry believing women..." (33:24).
Just as He concluded the Prophet's etiquette concerning the community, He concluded the believers' guidance concerning their Prophet: "O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet..." (33:53) and "O you who have believed, send blessings upon him..." (33:56).
In this verse, there are several points of discussion:
Why is the command specifically directed toward women divorced before consummation, given that the preceding verses guide conduct toward those closest to a person?
Answer: This is guidance toward the highest degree of noble conduct, from which lesser degrees are understood.
The explanation is that if a woman is divorced before consummation, the bond of marriage has not been firmly established. This is why Allah says regarding a woman with whom consummation has occurred: "And how could you take it back when you have already gone in unto each other and they have taken from you a firm covenant?" (4:21).
If Allah commands kindness and enjoyment (tamattu') toward one with whom there is no established affection, what do you think about one toward whom affection has developed through consummation, or whose bond has been solidified by the birth of children?
The Qur'an appears brief in its wording, but if one were to derive its meanings, pens would be insufficient, and papers would not suffice. This is like His saying: "So do not say to them [even] 'uff'" (17:23). If He had said, "Do not strike them" or "Do not insult them," one might think the prohibition was specific only to striking or insulting. But by saying, "Do not say to them even 'uff'," many meanings are understood. Similarly here, by commanding kindness toward one with whom there is no established affection, kindness is understood toward the woman with whom consummation occurred, the one not yet divorced, and the one who has borne children to him.
Regarding His saying: "when you marry believing women": This specification guides that a believer should marry a believing woman, as she is a stronger safeguard for his faith.
Regarding His saying: "then you divorce them": This can be used as evidence that conditioning divorce upon marriage is invalid, because divorce in this case can only occur after the marriage. Allah mentions this using the word thumma (then), which implies sequence/delay.
Regarding His saying: "there is no waiting period ('iddah) for them": This clarifies that the waiting period is primarily the right of the husband, although it is not waived by his renunciation, as it involves a right of God.
Regarding His saying: "you count it" (i.e., ta'taddūnahā): This means you (the husbands) complete the count.
Regarding His saying: "then provide for them (famatti'ūhunna)": Some scholars hold that this is specific to the woman whose mahr (dower) was not specified at the time of marriage (the mufawwaḍah). If she is divorced before consummation, she is due mut'ah (a gift of enjoyment). Others hold that it is general. If general, there is a difference of opinion on whether it is obligatory or recommended. Some say it is obligatory, meaning mut'ah must be given along with half the mahr. Others say it is recommended, meaning it is desirable to give her something as mut'ah alongside the mahr.
Regarding His saying: "and release them with a beautiful release (sarāḥan jamīlan)": Beauty in release means not demanding back what was given to her.
"O Prophet, indeed, We have made lawful for you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation, and those whom your right hand possesses of those whom Allah has given you as spoils of war, and the daughters of your paternal uncles, and the daughters of your paternal aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles, and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you, and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet, should the Prophet wish to marry her—[this is] exclusively for you, apart from the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have ordained for them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess, so that there will be no distress upon you. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful."
