Transliteration:( Wallazeena yutawaf fawna minkum wa yazaroona azwaajanw wasiyyatal li azwaajihim mataa'an ilal hawlighaira ikhraaj; fa in kharajna falaa junaaha 'alaikum fee maa fa'alna feee anfusihinna min ma'roof; wallaahu Azeezun Hakeem )
240. Those of you who die and leave behind wives should make a will [594] for their wives, ensuring their support [595] for one year, without expelling them. If they choose to leave, then you are not accountable [596] for what they do regarding themselves [597] in a lawful manner. And Allah is Almighty, All Wise.
This verse originally commanded that a deceased husband should leave a will for the support of his wife for one full year.
🔹 However, this ruling has been abrogated by the verses of inheritance revealed later.
🔹 Now, a widow receives her fixed share of inheritance, and the one-year maintenance is no longer obligatory.
All jurists agree this verse is also abrogated by the command of iddat after death:
A widow now observes a waiting period of four months and ten days, or until childbirth if pregnant.
The original rule of mandatory one-year stay and maintenance in the deceased husband’s home no longer applies.
Previously, the widow had the option to:
Remain in her husband’s home for a year with provision and residence,
Or leave by choice, in which case the heirs had no further obligation.
🔹 Although now abrogated, this demonstrates that the wife had autonomy in deciding to leave or stay.
After iddat or once she chose to leave, the widow could:
Beautify herself,
End mourning,
Prepare for remarriage, etc.
🔹 Even at that time, the year-long support was optional, not compulsory—she could forgo it.
🔹 The heirs were, however, duty-bound to maintain her if she chose to stay.
The tafsir of Surah Baqarah verse 239 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Baqarah ayat 238 which provides the complete commentary from verse 238 through 239.
(2:240) Those of you who die leaving behind your wives[264] should make testament of one year’s provision without expulsion in favour of your wives; and if they themselves depart, there shall be no blame upon you for what they may do with themselves in an honourable manner. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
264. The main discourse has already come to an end see (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 238) note 262 above. These concluding remarks are supplementary,.
[96]- This directive was abrogated by those later revealed in 2:234 and 4:12.
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