وَٱلَّذِينَ

يُتَوَفَّوۡنَ

مِنكُمۡ

وَيَذَرُونَ

أَزۡوَٰجٗا

يَتَرَبَّصۡنَ

بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ

أَرۡبَعَةَ

أَشۡهُرٖ

وَعَشۡرٗاۖ

فَإِذَا

بَلَغۡنَ

أَجَلَهُنَّ

فَلَا

جُنَاحَ

عَلَيۡكُمۡ

فِيمَا

فَعَلۡنَ

فِيٓ

أَنفُسِهِنَّ

بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ

وَٱللَّهُ

بِمَا

تَعۡمَلُونَ

خَبِيرٞ

٢٣٤

As for those of you who die and leave widows behind, let them observe a waiting period of four months and ten days. When they have reached the end of this period, then you¹ are not accountable for what they decide for themselves in a reasonable manner. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

There is no blame on you for subtly showing interest in ˹divorced or widowed˺ women¹ or for hiding ˹the intention˺ in your hearts. Allah knows that you are considering them ˹for marriage˺. But do not make a secret commitment with them—you can only show interest in them appropriately. Do not commit to the bond of marriage until the waiting period expires. Know that Allah is aware of what is in your hearts, so beware of Him. And know that Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.

There is no blame if you divorce women before the marriage is consummated or the dowry is settled. But give them a ˹suitable˺ compensation—the rich according to his means and the poor according to his. A reasonable compensation is an obligation on the good-doers.

And if you divorce them before consummating the marriage but after deciding on a dowry, pay half of the dowry, unless the wife graciously waives it or the husband graciously pays in full. Graciousness is closer to righteousness. And do not forget kindness among yourselves. Surely Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer¹—and stand in true devotion to Allah.

If you are in danger, pray on foot or while riding. But when you are safe, ˹take time to˺ remember Allah for teaching you what you did not know.

Those of you who die leaving widows should bequeath for them a year’s maintenance without forcing them out.¹ But if they choose to leave, you are not accountable for what they reasonably decide for themselves. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

Reasonable provisions must be made for divorced women—a duty on those mindful ˹of Allah˺.

This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so perhaps you will understand.

Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who fled their homes in the thousands for fear of death?¹ Allah said to them, “Die!” then He gave them life. Surely Allah is ever Bountiful to humanity, but most people are ungrateful.