Upon whom does the maintenance of a divorced or widowed woman devolve, who has no children, or whose children are young and unable to work? Is it upon her family and brothers, or upon the Muslim treasury (Bayt al-Mal)?

A woman revocably divorced (talaq raj'i) is entitled to maintenance from her ex-husband, even if she is wealthy. As for a woman irrevocably divorced (talaq ba'in) or a poor widow, her maintenance is incumbent upon her able-bodied children. If she has no children, then upon her father. If he is unable, then upon her brothers, and then upon whoever would inherit from her. If she has no provider, then her maintenance is from the treasury of the Muslims (bayt al-mal).