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yā-ʾayyuhā lladhīna ʾāmanū lā yaḥillu lakum ʾan tarithū n-nisāʾa karhan wa-lā taʿḍulūhunna li-tadhhabū bi-baʿḍi mā ʾātaytumūhunna ʾillā ʾan yaʾtīna bi-fāḥishatin mubayyinatin wa-ʿāshirūhunna bi-l-maʿrūfi fa-ʾin karihtumūhunna fa-ʿasā ʾan takrahū shayʾan wa-yajʿala llāhu fīhi khayran kathīran
O you who have faith! It is not lawful for you to inherit women forcibly, and do not press them to take away part of what you have given them, unless they commit a gross indecency. Consort with them in an honourable manner; and should you dislike them, maybe you dislike something while Allah invests it with an abundant good.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah An-Nisa',Verse 19
19. "O' you who have Faith! It is not lawful for you to inherit the women against their will, and do not straiten them in order that you may take a part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of manifest lewdness; but deal kindly with them, and if you hate them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it."
Occasion of Revelation
It is narrated from Imam Baqir (as) that the above verse was revealed about the men who used to keep their wives without treating with them as a spouse, waiting for their death in order to possess their properties.3 The verse may hint to the fact that only the wealth is heritable, and the wife of a man after his death does not belong to anyone as heritage. After the death of her first husband, a woman can choose another husband with her own decision.
Explanations
1. Islam is the defender of the rights of women.
2. Women have the right of possession.
3. Conjugal life should be based on mutual love, not on taking possession of wealth.
4. Taking back the dower forcefully is unlawful.
5. Women should be treated well.
6. Many of goodnesses lie among the unpleasant things.
Footnotes