Interpretation of Sura Cow - Verse 240

240. " And those of you who are about to die and leave wives behind, make a bequest in favour of their wives, a year's maintenance without turning them out; but if they leave (of their own accord) , there is no sin on you in what they do themselves in a fair manner; and Allah is the Mighty, the Wise."

Commentary

The Qur'an returns to the problem of marriage and divorce again and deals with its concerning affairs. At first it speaks about the husbands who are approaching death while they are leaving wives behind them. It advises that they ought to bequeath for their widows a year's maintenance and residence in their homes. Thus it says: " And those of you who are about to die and leave wives behind, make a bequest in favour of their wives, a year's maintenance without turning them out; ..."

This ordinance is, of course, in the case that they (widows) do not leave their homes, and if they leave the husband's house, they have not any right of maintenance and residence.

"...but if they leave (of their own accord) , there is no sin on you in what they do with themselves in a fair manner; ..." As if for the sake that such women be not anxious about their future, it consoles them at the end of the verse, and says that the Providence is able to open a new way to them after the lack of their former husband; and, therefore, there is certainly wisdom in that calamity. "... and Allah is the Mighty, the Wise."

Adapted from the book: "The Light of The Quran - Interpretation of Sura Al-Baqarah (The Cow)" by: "Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani and A Group of Muslim Scholars"