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 )
594. This verse is abrogated from the verse pertaining to inheritance. Now, after the death of the husband the wife will not get maintenance but her ancestral property. In this way the verse is abrogated in two ways from giving maintenance as well as regarding the period of a year
595. According to all jurists this verse is abrogated from the verse concerning the period of waiting, because with death the question of period of waiting arises or delivery in the case of pregnancy, or the waiting period of four months and ten days; whereas in this verse mention is made of one year.
596. From this verse it is understood that previously the wife not only had the right to dwell in her husband's house for one year after his death, but she was entitled to be fed and clothed. But this was dependent on the wife to use her prerogative or forego it. Nevertheless she could not marry within a year of her husband's death. This decree is now abrogated.
597. In "things they did' included permissible ways of beautifying themselves, applying make up, giving up mourning, preparing for re-marriage, etc. From this verse we learn that even in those days the period of waiting of a year for the wife after the death of her husband was not compulsory, instead the law was if she wanted to sit in mourning for her deceased husband she was entitled for a year's maintenance from his wealth i.e. the wife was totally independent in the matter, while the husband's heirs were duty -bound.
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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