according to your means. Do not harm them so as to make their lives difficult. And if they are pregnant, then provide for them until they give birth.” [Al-Talaq: 6]

However, this view is open to question, both in terms of what the Book indicates and because it conflicts with the Sunnah, even though it was held by some, such as Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.

As for what the Book indicates, Allah says: “O Prophet, when you divorce women, divorce them for their waiting period, and keep count of the waiting period. Fear Allah, your Lord. Do not turn them out of their homes, nor should they leave, unless they commit a clear act of indecency. These are the limits set by Allah; and whoever transgresses the limits set by Allah has wronged himself. You do not know; perhaps Allah will bring about, after that, a new matter.” [Al-Talaq: 1] This final clause excludes irrevocably divorced women from this general wording. The reason is that the matter to which Allah refers in His saying, “perhaps Allah will bring about, after that, a new matter,” is the husband’s taking his wife back; whereas an irrevocably divorced woman cannot be taken back.

As for its conflict with the Sunnah, Fatimah bint Qays, may Allah be pleased with her, was given the final of three divorces by her husband. He sent her some barley, but she rejected it and insisted that she was entitled to housing. The matter was referred to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said: “She is entitled to neither maintenance nor housing.” (1) In another narration: “Housing and maintenance are only for a woman whom her husband is able to take back.” (2)