Transliteration:( Wa kaifa ta'khuzoonahoo wa qad afdaa ba'dukum ilaa ba'dinw wa akhazna minkum meesaaqan ghaleezaa )
"And how could you take it when each of you has become unveiled [79] before one another and they have taken from you a firm covenant [80]."
From this verse we learn:
Once marriage is consummated, the entire Mehr (dowry) becomes fully obligatory upon the husband.
However:
If the full Mehr has already been paid and the husband divorces the wife before consummation,
he is entitled to reclaim half of the Mehr.
This ruling is rooted in the sanctity of the marital bond, particularly after physical and emotional closeness has occurred.
At the time of Nikah (marriage), the relationship is established through a solemn contract.
This verse is proof that the marriage contract is a serious covenant in the sight of Allah.
It is recommended that the Kalimas be recited by the groom before the vows,
to spiritually affirm the commitment.
In some traditions, especially in India, both the bride and groom are made to recite the Kalima as a way to strengthen the vow and declare sincerity before Allah.
The tafsir of Surah Nisa verse 21 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nisa ayat 19 which provides the complete commentary from verse 19 through 22.
(4:21) How can you take it away after each one has enjoyed the other, and they have taken a firm covenant from you?[31]
31. The ‘firm covenant’ in this verse refers to marriage. For marriage is a firm covenant of fidelity. It is only because a woman has faith in the firmness of this covenant that she entrusts herself to a man. If a man decides of his own will to break it, he has no right to withdraw the amount he offered his wife by way of bridal-due at the time of entering into that covenant. For further details See (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 229) note 251.
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