There is no sin in divorcing your wives before the consummation of marriage or settling the dowry; but then provide adequately for them, the affluent according to their means, the poor in accordance with theirs as is befitting. This is surely the duty of those who do good. 236 If you divorce them before you have touched them but after their dowry has been determined, give them half of what you determined, unless they pardon, or he pardons in whose hand is the marriage knot. And if you pardon it is nearer to warding off (evil). Do not forget the generosity between each other. Allah is the Seer of what you do. 237 Be wakeful of your service of prayer, and the midmost service; and honour God by standing before Him in devotion. 238 And if you are in fear, then afoot or mounted; but when you are secure, then remember God, as He taught you the things that you knew not. 239 Those who die and leave wives behind should bequeath to them a year's maintenance without causing them to leave their homes; but if they leave, no blame shall be attached to you in what they do with themselves kindly. Allah is Mighty and Wise. 240 For divorced women Maintenance (should be provided) on a reasonable (scale). This is a duty on the righteous. 241 Thus does God explain His revelations to you so that perhaps you will have understanding. 242