There is no blame on you if you divorce the women before having sexual intercourse with them, or before committing to what was agreed for them. Let them have compensation, the rich according to his means, and the poor according to his means. Compensation, which is according to the recognized norms, is a responsibility for good- doers.
Translation endnotes
[2:236] Dowry is an economic security and compensation to be paid to the woman. It is the consideration of the marriage contract, since women take more risk than men do by entering such a contract. Divorced women with children usually bear more burdens. The Quran asks us to provide for our ex-wives for a while to allow them to get on their feet. Thus, women will not endure the torture of having to live with a difficult husband for the fear of becoming homeless. Dowry has nothing to do with the families of women; it is the right of women. The Bible also has a dowry requirement but it considers it a gift to the family of the bride: Genesis 30:20; 34:12; Exodus 22:17; 1 Samuel 18:25.