Surah Al-Baqarah >> Currently viewing Surah Baqarah Ayat 233 (2:233)

Surah Baqarah Ayat 233 in Arabic Text

۞وَٱلۡوَٰلِدَٰتُ يُرۡضِعۡنَ أَوۡلَٰدَهُنَّ حَوۡلَيۡنِ كَامِلَيۡنِۖ لِمَنۡ أَرَادَ أَن يُتِمَّ ٱلرَّضَاعَةَۚ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمَوۡلُودِ لَهُۥ رِزۡقُهُنَّ وَكِسۡوَتُهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ لَا تُكَلَّفُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ لَا تُضَآرَّ وَٰلِدَةُۢ بِوَلَدِهَا وَلَا مَوۡلُودٞ لَّهُۥ بِوَلَدِهِۦۚ وَعَلَى ٱلۡوَارِثِ مِثۡلُ ذَٰلِكَۗ فَإِنۡ أَرَادَا فِصَالًا عَن تَرَاضٖ مِّنۡهُمَا وَتَشَاوُرٖ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡهِمَاۗ وَإِنۡ أَرَدتُّمۡ أَن تَسۡتَرۡضِعُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُمۡ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذَا سَلَّمۡتُم مَّآ ءَاتَيۡتُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٞ
Walwaa lidaatu yurdi’na awlaada hunna hawlaini kaamilaini liman araada ai yutimmar radaa’ah; wa ‘alalmawloodi lahoo rizqu hunna wa kiswatuhunna bilma’roof; laatukallafu nafsun illaa wus’ahaa; laa tudaaarra waalidatum biwaladihaa wa laa mawloodul lahoo biwaladih; wa ‘alal waarisi mislu zaalik; fa in araadaa Fisaalan ‘an taraadim minhumaa wa tashaawurin falaa junaaha ‘alaihimaa; wa in arattum an tastardi’ooo awlaadakum falaa junaaha ‘alaikum izaa sallamtum maaa aataitum bilma’roof; wattaqul laaha wa’lamooo annal laaha bimaa ta’maloona baseer

English Translation

Here you can read various translations of verse 233

Sahih International
Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.

Yusuf Ali
“The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear Allah and know that Allah sees well what ye do.

Abul Ala Maududi
The (divorced) mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years, if the fathers desire the suckling to be completed. In that case the father of the child shall, in the fair known way, be responsible for their food and clothing. But none should be burdened with more than one can bear: neither the mother should be pressed unjustly (to accept unfair terms) just because she is the mother nor should the father be burdened just because he is the father. And the same responsibility for the maintenance of the mother devolves upon the father of the child and his heir. There is no harm if they wean the child by mutual consent and consultation. Moreover, there is no harm if you choose to give your children a suckle by a wet nurse, provided that you pay her fairly. Fear Allah and know it well that whatever you do is in the sight of Allah.

Muhsin Khan
The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling, but the father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis. No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear. No mother shall be treated unfairly on account of her child, nor father on account of his child. And on the (father’s) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no sin on them. And if you decide on a foster suckling-mother for your children, there is no sin on you, provided you pay (the mother) what you agreed (to give her) on reasonable basis. And fear Allah and know that Allah is All-Seer of what you do.

Pickthall
Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No-one should be charged beyond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on the (father’s) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if ye wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for you, provide that ye pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what ye do.

Dr. Ghali
And (women) giving birth, shall suckle their children two rounds completely, (i.e. two years) for the one who is willing to perfect the suckling. And it is for the man to whom children are born to offer them provision and raiment with beneficence. No self is charged except to its capacity. No woman giving birth shall be harmed on account of her child, nor shall a man to whom a child is born (beharmed) on account of his child; and the heir (is charged) in like manner. (Literally: like that) So, in case both of them are willing by mutual consent and consultation to wean, then there is no fault in them (both). And in case you are willing to seek suckling for your children, then there is no fault in you when you hand over whatever you have brought (them) with beneficence; and be pious to Allah and know that Allah is Ever-Beholding of whatever you do.

Abdel Haleem
Mothers suckle their children for two whole years, if they wish to complete the term, and clothing and maintenance must be borne by the father in a fair manner. No one should be burdened with more than they can bear: no mother shall be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor any father on account of his. The same duty is incumbent on the father’s heir. If, by mutual consent and consultation, the couple wish to wean [the child], they will not be blamed, nor will there be any blame if you wish to engage a wet nurse, provided you pay as agreed in a fair manner. Be mindful of God, knowing that He sees everything you do.

Muhammad Junagarhi
مائیں اپنی اوﻻد کو دو سال کامل دودھ پلائیں جن کا اراده دودھ پلانے کی مدت بالکل پوری کرنے کا ہو اور جن کے بچے ہیں ان کے ذمہ ان کا روٹی کپڑا ہے جو مطابق دستور کے ہو۔ ہر شخص اتنی ہی تکلیف دیا جاتا ہے جتنی اس کی طاقت ہو۔ ماں کو اس کے بچہ کی وجہ سے یا باپ کو اس کی اوﻻدکی وجہ سے کوئی ضرر نہ پہنچایا جائے۔ وارث پر بھی اسی جیسی ذمہ داری ہے، پھر اگر دونوں (یعنی ماں باپ) اپنی رضامندی اور باہمی مشورے سے دودھ چھڑانا چاہیں تو دونوں پر کچھ گناه نہیں اور اگر تمہارا اراده اپنی اوﻻد کو دودھ پلوانے کا ہو تو بھی تم پر کوئی گناه نہیں جب کہ تم ان کو مطابق دستور کے جو دینا ہو وه ان کے حوالے کردو، اللہ تعالیٰ سے ڈرتے رہو اور جانتے رہو کہ اللہ تعالیٰ تمہارے اعمال کی دیکھ بھال کر رہا ہے

Quran 2 Verse 233 Explanation

For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Baqarah ayat 233, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.

Ala-Maududi

(2:233) If they (i.e. the fathers) wish that the period of suckling for their children be completed, mothers may suckle their children for two whole years.[257] (In such a case) it is incumbent upon him who has begotten the child to provide them (i.e. divorced women) their sustenance and clothing in a fair manner. But none shall be burdened with more than he is able to bear; neither shall a mother suffer because of her child nor shall the father be made to suffer because he has begotten him. The same duty towards the suckling mother rests upon the heir[258] as upon him (i.e. the father). And if both (the parents) decide, by mutual consent and consultation, to wean the child, there is no blame on them; if you decide to have other women suckle your children there is no blame upon you, provided you hand over its compensation in a fair manner. Fear Allah and know well that Allah sees all that you do.


257. This injunction applies to the condition where the couple have separated either because of divorce, or klul’ see (Surah Al-Baqarah, ayat 229) note 252 or ‘faskh (annulment) or tafriq (repudiation as a result of judicial decision) and the woman is nursing a child.

258. That is, if the father dies, whoever replaces him as the guardian of the child will be responsible for fulfilling this claim.

Ibn-Kathir

232. And when you have divorced women and they have fulfilled the term of their prescribed period, do not prevent them from marrying their (former) husbands, if they mutually agree on reasonable basis. This (instruction) is an admonition for him among you who believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is more virtuous and purer for you. Allah knows and you know not.


The Wali (Guardian) of the Divorced Woman should not prevent Her from going back to Her Husband

`Ali bin Abu Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “This Ayah was revealed about the man who divorces his wife once or twice and her `Iddah finishes. He later thinks about taking her back in marriage and the woman also wishes that, yet, her family prevents her from remarrying him. Hence, Allah prohibited her family from preventing her.” Masruq, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, Az-Zuhri and Ad-Dahhak stated that this is the reason behind revealing the Ayah (2:232). These statements clearly conform to the apparent meaning of the Ayah.

There is no Marriage without a Wali (for the Woman)

The Ayah (2:232) also indicates that the woman is not permitted to give herself in marriage. Rather, she requires a Wali (guardian such as her father, brother, adult son, and so forth) to give her away in marriage, as Ibn Jarir and At-Tirmidhi have stated when they mentioned this Ayah. Also, a Hadith states that:

«لَا تُزَوِّجُ الْمَرْأةُ الْمَرْأَةَ، ولَا تُزَوِّج الْمَرأةُ نَفْسَهَا، فَإِنَّ الزَّانِيَةَ هِيَ الَّتِي تُزَوّجُ نَفْسَهَا»

(The woman does not give another woman away for marriage and the woman does not give herself away in marriage, for only the adulteress gives herself away for marriage.)

Another Hadith states:

«لَا نِكَاحَ إلَّا بِوَلِيَ مُرْشِدٍ وَشَاهِدَيْ عَدْل»

(No marriage is valid except with the participation of a mature Wali and two trustworthy witnesses.)

The Reason behind revealing the Ayah (2:232)

It was reported that this Ayah was revealed about Ma`qil bin Yasar Al-Muzani and his sister. Al-Bukhari reported in his Sahih, when he mentioned the Tafsir of this Ayah (2:232), that the husband of the sister of Ma`qil bin Yasar divorced her. He waited until her `Iddah finished and then asked to remarry her, but Ma`qil refused. Then, this Ayah was sent down:

﴿فَلاَ تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَن يَنكِحْنَ أَزْوَجَهُنَّ﴾

(…do not prevent them from marrying their (former) husbands.)

Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Abu Hatim, Ibn Jarir and Ibn Marduwyah and Al-Bayhaqi reported this Hadith from Al-Hasan from Ma`qil bin Yasar. At-Tirmidhi rendered this Hadith authentic and in his narration, Ma`qil bin Yasar gave his sister in marriage for a Muslim man during the time of Allah’s Messenger . She remained with him for a while and he divorced her once and did not take her back until her `Iddah finished. They then wanted to get back with each other and he came to ask her for marriage. Ma`qil said to him, “O ungrateful one! I honored you and married her to you but you divorced her. By Allah! She will never be returned to you.” But Allah knew his need for his wife and her need for her husband and He revealed:

﴿وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَآءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ﴾

(And when you have divorced women and they have fulfilled the term of their prescribed period, ) until He said:

﴿وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

(…and you know not.)

When Ma`qil heard the Ayah, he said, “I hear and obey my Lord.” He then summoned the man and said, “I will honor you and let you remarry (my sister).” Ibn Marduwyah added (that Ma`qil said), “And will pay (the expiation) for breaking my vow.”

Allah said:

﴿ذلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَن كَانَ مِنكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الاٌّخِرِ﴾

(This (instruction) is an admonition for him among you who believes in Allah and the Last Day.) meaning, prohibiting you from preventing the women from marrying their ex-husbands, if they both agree to it,

﴿مَن كَانَ مِنكُمْ﴾

(among you) O people,

﴿يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الاٌّخِرِ﴾

(who believes in Allah and the Last Day.) meaning, believes in Allah’s commandments and fears His warnings and the torment in the Hereafter. Allah said:

﴿ذلِكُمْ أَزْكَى لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ﴾

(That is more virtuous and purer for you.) meaning, obeying Allah’s Law by returning the women to their ex-husbands, and abandoning your displeasure, is purer and cleaner for your hearts,

﴿وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ﴾

(Allah knows) the benefits you gain from what He commands and what He forbids.

﴿وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

(and you know not) the benefits in what you do or what you refrain from doing.

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surah baqarah ayat 233
surah baqarah ayat 234
surah baqarah ayat 235
surah baqarah ayat 236
surah baqarah ayat 237

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