Overall meaning : Allah Almighty instructs divorced mothers to breastfeed their children for two full years if one or both parents wish to complete the full term of nursing; and during this period the child’s father is responsible for the maintenance of the mother by providing her with sustenance and clothing in a reasonable manner according to what is just in accordance with established moral norms and without being extravagant or miserly, for Allah does not place on anyone a burden that is greater than he can bear. The mother, Allah warns, must not refuse to breastfeed her child, or to demand the father to pay more than a fair wage to harm him. Similarly, the child’s father must not prevent her from breastfeeding their child to harm her. Allah makes it the duty of the heir of the child whose father has died to maintain the child’s mother and provide her with sustenance and clothing in a fair manner without making her suffer or harm her in any way whatsoever. He also permits the parents to wean the child before the end of the two-year nursing period after mutual agreement and consultation in the child’s best interests. Allah Almighty also permits the father to seek a wet nurse for the child other than his own mother for a bona fide reason without intending to harm her. This is perfectly permissible as long as the father pays the wet nurse her wage in full without any procrastination or delay Allah then commands His servants to observe piety by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids and to be absolutely certain that nothing whatsoever escapes His knowledge.
If the husband dies, his widow must observe a waiting period of four months and ten days, during which time she is prohibited from remarrying, and she is not to wear perfume or any ornaments or to leave the house unnecessarily. That is, if she is not pregnant. If she is pregnant, however, then her waiting period lasts until she gives birth. Once the widow’s waiting period is over, her guardian should not really mind what she does regarding herself, such as wearing perfume and ornaments or entering into a lawful marriage relationship and whatever Allah has permitted her to do. Allah Almighty is fully aware of all their intentions, and so they must abide by His law. Allah will surely repay them according to their actions.
It is not permissible for men to explicitly propose marriage to widows observing the waiting period as they are supposed to refrain from marriage during such a period. However, they will incur no sin if they give a hint of an intended marriage offer to them, or if they keep the intention of resolving to marry them after the expiry of the waiting period to themselves. Allah knows full well whether they will openly express such intention to them or keep it to themselves, and so He has removed such hardship for them and commands them not to resolve on a marriage tie until the prescribed period has come to its end. He also warns those who disobey His command, reminding them that He knows full well their intended desire to marry widows observing the waiting period. He cautions them against intending something that goes against His command and directs them to fear His punishment and seek His reward. They should also be absolutely certain that Allah conceals and forgives His servants’ sins and does not hasten to punish them for committing them even though He can easily do so. Nor should they despair if they violate His command and do something not pleasing to Him, in which case all they have to do is ask Him for His forgiveness.
Men will incur no sin if they divorce women with whom they have made a marriage contract when they have not yet consummated the marriage or fixed any dowry for them. In this case, husbands must, however, make some provision for them anyhow according to their ability and in accordance with established moral norms. This is a duty more incumbent on those who do good to themselves and to others.
Nor will men incur any sin if they divorce women before the consummation of the marriage after having already fixed a dowry for them. In this case, divorced women are entitled to half the specified dowry, unless they freely waive it or their husbands are generous enough to waive the other half and graciously pay the dowry in full. Allah Almighty stimulates the interest of both spouses and encourages them to waive their rights, stating that those who give up their rightful portion are nearer to piety and righteousness, and cautions them against neglecting virtue and kindness by encouraging them to give the other party far beyond what it is entitled to regarding the dowry. Allah is well aware of people’s actions, so those of them who forego their rightful portions will be abundantly repaid by their Lord who will graciously and benevolently reward their benevolence.
The Almighty then commands the faithful to strictly and duly perform the prescribed prayers in general and the late afternoon (‘Asr) prayer in particular, with all their requirements and conditions, to persevere in them with reverence and humility and to leave engaging in any form of talking in them other than reciting the Qur’an and remembering Allah, as He has commanded.
As an exception to the command to perform the prayer in the manner described above, Allah mentions the manner of performing it while in a state of fear or danger. In this case, Muslims may perform the prayer in whatever condition they are, whether on foot or riding animals, and whether facing the direction of the qiblah or not. However, once they are restored to a state of safety, they must offer the prayer in full and in the manner Allah has previously taught them. Having been taught what they did not know before is a blessing that requires them to show gratefulness to Allah, including remembering Him in the prayer and in other acts of worship.
Allah Almighty next mentions that husbands must, before their death, make a will to the effect that their heirs must ensure their widows will be provided with a year’s maintenance and must not be turned out of their husbands’ homes. The deceased’s heirs will not incur any sin if his widow leaves of her own accord and quits mourning by wearing perfume and ornaments and show their desire to remarry, among other things, but in such a way as not to violate the limits of Islamic law and established customs. Allah is All-Mighty—nothing prevents Him from inflicting punishment on whomever disobeys His commands and does what He forbids; All-Wise—for all the laws He has laid down are absolutely perfect.
According to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars, the ruling contained in this verse is abrogated by the verse, “As for those of you who die and leave widows behind, their widows should observe a waiting period of four months and ten days” (2:234). According to another opinion, maintenance mentioned here is abrogated by verse 12 in Surat An-Nisaa’.
The Almighty then requires husbands to make a reasonable provision for their divorcees, such as clothing among other things, in accordance with established moral norms but without violating any of Allah’s laws. This is a duty incumbent upon men who divorce their wives. Just as Allah has clearly made such rulings abundantly clear, so He makes the rest of His verses and rulings perfectly plain so that people may comprehend them and act upon them.