Transliteration:( Wa in tallaqtumoohunna min qabli an tamassoohunna wa qad farad tum lahunna fareedatan fanisfu maa faradtum illaaa ai ya'foona aw ya'fuwallazee biyadihee 'uqdatunnikaah; wa an ta'fooo aqrabu littaqwaa; wa laa tansawulfadla bainakum; innal laaha bimaa ta'maloona Baseer )
237. And if you divorce them before touching them [584], but you have already set a dowry for them, then half of what you set is due. Unless the wives choose to forgive [585] or the one who holds the marriage tie gives more [586]. And if you give more, it is closer to righteousness [587]. And do not forget to treat each other kindly [588]. Surely, Allah is fully aware of what you do.
If a woman is divorced before consummation (before being “touched”), and dowry (mahr) was already decided, then she is entitled to half of it.
🔹 However, if the husband dies before consummation, the full dowry becomes obligatory, as per other rulings.
🔹 The concept of half dowry applies only when divorce occurs before any physical intimacy.
There are two possibilities of voluntary waiver:
The wife may choose to forgive, accepting less than half or nothing of the dowry.
The husband may choose to pay more, even the full amount, though only half is due.
🔹 This promotes mutual compassion and respectful closure.
This verse reinforces that the authority to dissolve marriage lies with the husband, as he is the one who holds the marital bond.
🔹 In Khula, while the wife requests separation by offering compensation, the husband must still agree for the divorce to be valid.
🔹 The misconception that Khula is automatic if the wife pays is incorrect—husband’s consent is required.
If a husband chooses to give more than what is due, especially at the time of separation, it is a sign of piety and nobility.
🔹 The husband is considered the leader of the relationship, and it is more honorable for a leader to give generously than to demand or minimize.
The verse advises to avoid bitterness, jealousy, or enmity after divorce.
🔹 Former spouses should uphold Islamic etiquette, considering their past relationship and the moral duty imposed by Shari’ah.
🔹 Dignified parting is encouraged as a mark of maturity and taqwa (God-consciousness).
236. There is no sin on you, if you divorce women while yet you have not touched them, nor appointed for them their due (dowry). But give them a Mut`ah (a suitable gift, the rich according to his means, and the poor according to his means, a gift of reasonable amount is a duty on the doers of good.
Allah allowed divorce after the marriage contract and before consummating the marriage. Ibn `Abbas, Tawus, Ibrahim and Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that `touched’ (mentioned in the Ayah) means sexual intercourse. The husband is allowed to divorce his wife before consummating the marriage or giving the dowry if it was deferred.
Allah commands the husband to give the wife (whom he divorces before consummating the marriage) a gift of a reasonable amount, the rich according to his means and the poor according to his means, to compensate her for her loss. Al-Bukhari reported in his Sahih that Sahl bin Sa`d and Abu Usayd said that Allah’s Messenger married Umaymah bint Sharahil. When she was brought to the Prophet he extended his hand to her, but she did not like that. The Prophet then ordered Abu Usayd to provide provisions for her along with a gift of two garments.
(2:237) And if you divorce them before you touch them or settle a bridal gift upon them, then (give them) half of what you have settled unless either the women act leniently and forgo their claim, or he in whose hand is the marriage tie acts leniently (and pays the full amount). If you act leniently, it is closer to God-fearing. And forget not to act gracefully with one another,[261] for indeed Allah sees all that you do.
261. Magnanimity in dealings is essential if human relationships are to remain sound and pleasant. If everyone were to stick strictly to his legal rights and claims, a pleasant social life would he rendered impossible.
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