Home Hadith Hadith 4325
I said to `Uthman bin `Affan (while he was collecting the Quran) regarding the Verse:-- "Those of
you who die and leave wives ..." (2.240) "This Verse was abrogated by an other Verse. So why
should you write it? (Or leave it in the Quran)?" `Uthman said. "O son of my brother! I will not shift
anything of it from its place."
Sahih al-Bukhari Book 65, Hadith 53
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The sister of Ma'qal bin Yasar was divorced by her husband who left her till she had fulfilled her term
of 'Iddat (i.e. the period which should elapse before she can Remarry) and then he wanted to remarry
her but Maqal refused, so this Verse was revealed:--
"Do not prevent them from marrying their (former) husbands." (2.232)
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(regarding the Verse):-- "Those of you who die and leave wives behind. They - (their wives) -- shall
wait (as regards their marriage ) for four months and ten days)." (2.234)
The widow, according to this Verse, was to spend this period of waiting with her husband's family, so
Allah revealed: "Those of you who die and leave wives (i.e. widows) should bequeath for their wives,
a year's maintenance and residences without turning them out, but if they leave (their residence), there
is no blame on you for what they do with themselves provided it is honorable.' (i.e. lawful marriage)
(2.240).
So Allah entitled the widow to be bequeathed extra maintenance for seven months and twenty nights,
and that is the completion of one year. If she wished she could stay (in her husband's home) according
to the will, and she could leave it if she wished, as Allah says:
"..without turning them out, but if they leave (the residence), there is no blame on you." So the 'Idda
(i.e. four months and ten days as it) is obligatory for her.
'Ata said: Ibn `Abbas said, "This Verse, i.e. the Statement of Allah: "..without turning them out.."
cancelled the obligation of staying for the waiting period in her dead husband's house, and she can
complete this period wherever she likes." 'Ata's aid: If she wished, she could complete her 'Idda by
staying in her dead husband's residence according to the will or leave it according to Allah's
Statement:--
"There is no blame on you for what they do with themselves." `Ata' added: Later the regulations of
inheritance came and abrogated the order of the dwelling of the widow (in her dead husband's house),
so she could complete the 'Idda wherever she likes. And it was no longer necessary to provide her
with a residence. Ibn `Abbas said, "This Verse abrogated her (i.e. widow's) dwelling in her dead
husband's house and she could complete the 'Idda (i.e. four months and ten days) wherever she liked,
as Allah's Statement says:--"...without turning them out..."