Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:11
سُورَةُ المُمۡتَحنَةِ · Medinan · Verse 11 of 13
وَإِن فَاتَكُمْ شَىْءٌۭ مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ فَعَاقَبْتُمْ فَـَٔاتُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ذَهَبَتْ أَزْوَٰجُهُم مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ
Translation
If any of you have wives who leave you for the disbelievers, and if your community subsequently acquires [gains] from them, then pay those whose wives have deserted them the equivalent of whatever bride-gift they paid. Be mindful of God, in whom you believe.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse continues the regulations concerning Muslim women who migrate to the believers, and non-Muslim women who remain with the disbelievers. Specifically, it addresses the situation when Muslim men have lost their wives to the disbelievers, and those disbelievers refuse to return the dowries paid. Allah, the Exalted, is speaking directly to the believers, outlining a divine command to ensure justice and fairness among themselves. The tone is instructive and firm, reminding the believers of their responsibilities to one another and to Allah.
The Departure
The phrase `وَإِن فَاتَكُمْ شَىْءٌۭ مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ` (And if any of your wives escape to the disbelievers) carries significant meaning. The word `فاتكم` (fatakum) suggests a loss or something slipping away. Ibn Ashur notes it implies a "loss of right" for the husband, and the use of `شَىْءٌ` (shay', meaning "anything" or "some") here emphasizes that compensation is due regardless of how few wives are involved. Al-Zamakhshari highlights that it ensures no aspect of this situation, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is left unaddressed, underscoring the seriousness of the ruling. Ibn Ashur further points out that using `شيء` can also subtly belittle those wives who rejected Islam and abandoned their believing husbands, as they are no longer seen as valuable partners.
The Reciprocity
The next crucial word is `فَعَاقَبْتُمْ` (then you dealt with them or then you gained victory). Scholars offer nuanced interpretations of this term. Al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain `عاقبتم` (aqabtum) as stemming from `عقبة` (uqubah), meaning "turn" or "reciprocation." It likens the situation to taking turns, suggesting that just as Muslims were commanded in the previous verse to return dowries to disbelievers for their migrating wives, there should be a form of reciprocal dealing. However, when the disbelievers refused to pay, this verse introduced a different form of "reciprocation" for the Muslims. Other scholars like al-Jalalayn, al-Razi, and Ibn Ashur also interpret it as "you gained spoils" or "you overcame them in battle," meaning that if the Muslims secured spoils of war from the disbelievers, these spoils could then be used for compensation.
The Just Compensation
The command that follows is `فَـَٔاتُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ذَهَبَتْ أَزْوَٰجُهُم مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟` (then give those whose wives have gone the like of what they spent). This clarifies the practical implementation: if the disbelievers reneged on their duty to return dowries, the Muslim community itself should compensate their brethren from collective funds, such as spoils of war. The word `مِثْلَ` (mithla, meaning "the like of") precisely specifies that the compensation must be equivalent to the full dowry the husband originally spent, ensuring complete fairness and preventing further loss for the wronged believers, as elaborated by Ibn Ashur.
A Call to Trust
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: `وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ` (and fear Allah, the One in whom you are believers). Ibn Ashur explains that this is a strong urging for the Muslims to fulfill Allah's commands faithfully, even if the disbelievers do not reciprocate fairly. The linking of `تقوى` (piety, fear of Allah) with `الَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ` (the One in whom you are believers) underscores that their faith in Allah should be the driving force behind their just actions, setting them apart from the disbelievers who lack such a moral compass. The grammatical structure (a nominal sentence) further emphasizes the constancy and stability of their faith.
This verse, through its precise wording, not only provides a legal framework for a specific historical situation but also teaches us about the profound care Allah has for His believing servants, ensuring that even in times of conflict and unfairness, justice is upheld within the community of believers.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:11 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.