section 31

extra provision for divorced
women & widows

236. " there is no sin on you if you divorce women while you have not yet
touched them nor settled any dowry on them;
yet make provision for them,
the rich according to his means, and the straitened according
to his means; a provision in a fair manner.
(this is) a duty on the doers of good."

commentary:
continuing about the theme of divorce, there are also some other
ordinances in the above verse and the verse after that. it says:

" there is no sin on you if you divorce women while you have not yet
touched them nor settled any dowry on them; ..."

this circumstance is, of course, when either the man or the
woman, after confirming the marriage tie and before having any sexual
relations, understands that they can not live together as a married
couple because of some problems. in this case, it is so much the better
that at this time they separate from each other by means of divorce and
do not let it be postponed to later stages when it surely will become
more difficult.
after that, the verse pays to another ordinance concerning the
subject, where it says:

"... yet make provision for them, ..."

for the payment of this gift, in fact, the ability of man should also
be considered. that is why the verse continues saying:

"...the rich according to his means, and the straitened according
to his means; a provision in a fair manner. ..."

both the wealthy men and the poor men should pay this gift, but
due to their ability. and, in view of the fact that this gift has a
considerable effect on the woman in preventing her from taking
vengeance and freeing her from the pressure or the weight which may
fall on her heart as a result of breaking their tie of marriage, the above
verse concerns the gift to the benevolent nature of man, and says:

"... (this is) a duty on the doers of good."

this idea points to the fact that the payment should be
accompanied with benevolence and also performed in a peaceful
manner by the husband.