عضل

Core meaning

To stand in the way, by one's authority and for one's own profit, of what belongs to a woman: remarrying, keeping what was given her.

Uses

1. لَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ → "do not put obstacles" : the prohibition addressed to those who have a hold on women repudiated or inherited.

   • «فَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَن يَنكِحْنَ أَزْوَٰجَهُنَّ» — "do not put obstacles to their marrying their spouses" (2:232)
   • «وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ» — "and do not put obstacles before them so as to carry off part of what you gave them" (4:19)

Evidence from the text

The two uses are the same prohibition, made to those who have authority over women. In 2:232, the repudiated woman has reached her term: one must not put obstacles to her marrying her spouse, "once there is mutual satisfaction between them according to what is recognized" (2:232). In 4:19, the prohibition follows that of inheriting women "by force" (4:19), and it names the motive: to carry off a part of what one gave them.

The verb does not say a mere refusal: it says a constraint exercised for one's own profit, upon a right that belongs to the other.

Distinctions

• منع — to prevent: to hold back from doing, in general, whereas عضل names the obstacle set by one who has authority, for his own profit

See also

نكح (to marry)