Background of revelation: Khawla bint Tha'laba approached the Messenger after her husband pronounced Zihar, which was before the custom was declared impermissible in Islam. The Messenger ﷺ stated that he had not received any divine ordinance regarding the matter from Allah so far, meaning the cultural understanding of permanent separation would apply. Khawla, concerned for her children's future, pleaded that she was now old, unable to bear children, and that the separation would ruin her children financially if she kept them or ruin their upbringing if her husband took them. These ayahs were revealed when she direct her complaint to Allah.