Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And married women save what your right hands possess. The Writ of God is over you. But lawful to you is what is beyond that, if you seek with your wealth in chastity, not being fornicators. And what you enjoy thereby of them: give them their rewards as an obligation. And there is no wrong upon you in what you do by mutual agreement after the obligation; God is knowing and wise.

وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ النِّسَٓاءِ اِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُكُمْۚ كِتَابَ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْكُمْۘ وَاُحِلَّ لَكُمْ مَا وَرَٓاءَ ذٰلِكُمْ اَنْ تَبْتَغُوا بِاَمْوَالِكُمْ مُحْصِن۪ينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِح۪ينَۜ فَمَا اسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِه۪ مِنْهُنَّ فَاٰتُوهُنَّ اُجُورَهُنَّ فَر۪يضَةًۜ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ ف۪يمَا تَرَاضَيْتُمْ بِه۪ مِنْ بَعْدِ الْفَر۪يضَةِۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَل۪يماً حَك۪يماً
Walmuhsanatu mina annisa-iilla ma malakat aymanukum kitaba AllahiAAalaykum waohilla lakum ma waraa thalikuman tabtaghoo bi-amwalikum muhsineena ghayra musafiheenafama istamtaAAtum bihi minhunna faatoohunnaojoorahunna fareedatan wala junaha AAalaykumfeema taradaytum bihi min baAAdi alfareedatiinna Allaha kana AAaleeman hakeema
#wordmeaningroot
1wal-muḥ'ṣanātuAnd (prohibited are) the ones who are marriedحصن
2minaof
3l-nisāithe womenنسو
4illāexcept
5whom
6malakatyou possessملك
7aymānukumrightfullyيمن
8kitābaDecreeكتب
9l-lahi(of) Allah
10ʿalaykumupon you
11wa-uḥillaAnd are lawfulحلل
12lakumto you
13what
14warāa(is) beyondوري
15dhālikumthat
16anthat
17tabtaghūyou seekبغي
18bi-amwālikumwith your wealthمول
19muḥ'ṣinīnadesiring to be chasteحصن
20ghayranotغير
21musāfiḥīna(to be) lustfulسفح
22famāSo what
23is'tamtaʿtumyou benefit[ed]متع
24bihiof it
25min'hunnafrom them
26faātūhunnaso you give themاتي
27ujūrahunnatheir bridal dueاجر
28farīḍatan(as) an obligationفرض
29walāAnd (there is) no
30junāḥasinجنح
31ʿalaykumon you
32fīmāconcerning what
33tarāḍaytumyou mutually agreeرضو
34bihiof it
35minfrom
36baʿdibeyondبعد
37l-farīḍatithe obligationفرض
38innaIndeed
39l-lahaAllah
40kānaisكون
41ʿalīmanAll-Knowingعلم
42ḥakīmanAll-Wiseحكم
  • Aisha Bewley

    And also married women, except for those you have taken in war as slaves. This is what Allah has prescribed for you. Apart from that He has made all other women halal for you provided you seek them with your wealth in marriage and not in fornication. When you consummate your marriage with them give them their prescribed dowry. There is nothing wrong in any further agreement you might come to after the dowry has been given. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And the already married from the women, except those who become widowed; God's scripture is over you; and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be protected and not for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had joy with them, then you shall give them their wage as an obligation. There is no sin upon you for what you agree to after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Also forbidden to you are women who are already married, except those women who have sought asylum with you against their disbelieving husbands at war with you (60:10). This is Allah's Ordinance binding upon you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, with mutual consent, as confirmed by giving her a generous marital gift or dowry. You shall seek them in honest wedlock and let marriage be a fortress of chastity for the husband and wife. You shall maintain morality and go not near adultery (17:32). You like to marry women for a better quality of life, so give them their portions as a duty. And there is nothing wrong in adjusting the sum with mutual agreement after the duty has been done. These Laws are given to you by Allah, the Knower, the Wise.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And married women save what your right hands possess. The Writ of God is over you. But lawful to you is what is beyond that, if you seek with your wealth in chastity, not being fornicators. And what you enjoy thereby of them: give them their rewards as an obligation. And there is no wrong upon you in what you do by mutual agreement after the obligation; God is knowing and wise.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And the independent from the women, except those maintained by your oaths; the book of God over you; and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be independent, not for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had joy with, then you shall give them their dowries as an obligation. There is no sin upon you for what you agree on after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    The women who are already married, except those whom you have contractual rights, God's book is over you; and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be protected and not for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had joy with them, then you shall give them their wage as an obligation. There is no sin upon you for what you agree to after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Also prohibited are the women who are already married, unless they flee their disbelieving husbands who are at war with you. These are GOD's commandments to you. All other categories are permitted for you in marriage, so long as you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain your morality, by not committing adultery. Thus, whoever you like among them, you shall pay them the dowry decreed for them. You commit no error by mutually agreeing to any adjustments to the dowry. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.,

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Also forbidden are married women unless they are captives (of war). Such is the decree of God. Lawful for you are women besides these if you seek them with your wealth for wedlock and not for debauchery. Then give those of these women you have enjoyed, the agreed dower. It will not be sinful if you agree to something (else) by mutual consent after having settled the dowry. God is certainly all-knowing and all-wise.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    And married women except those your right hands possess. the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are beyond these, that you seek them with your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

  • Muhammad Asad

    And all married women other than those whom you rightfully possess : this is God's ordinance, binding upon you. But lawful to you are all beyond these, for you to seek out, offering them of your possessions, taking them in honest wedlock, and not in fornication. And unto those with whom you desire to enjoy marriage, you shall give the dowers due to them; but you will incur no sin if, after this lawful due, you freely agree with one another upon anything : behold, God is indeed all-knowing, wise.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond those mentioned, so that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement after the duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    And also forbidden to you are all married women (muhsanat) except those women whom your right hands have come to possess (as a result of war).* This is Allah's decree and it is binding upon you. But it is lawful for you to seek out all women except these, offering them your wealth and the protection of wedlock rather than using them for the unfettered satisfaction of lust. And in exchange of what you enjoy by marrying them pay their bridal-due as an obligation. But there is no blame on you if you mutually agree to alter the settlement after it has been made. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Nor can you marry the women who are married except the captives on hand; a prescriptive rule imposed by Allah on you to observe. But lawful unto you are all who are beyond this limiting provision, with the proviso that you seek to win, with your resources, the women of your choice to unite with them according to Islamic laws of matrimony and not according to vicious indulgence in sexual pleasures. And pay those of them whom you shall enjoy, their dowers; it is a duty incurred by such bond. Nonetheless you shall not fall into consequence if you mutually agree to give her more than what you have dutifully paid or you take back from her what she wishes to remit of her own accord; indeed Allah has always been 'Alimun and Hakimun.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    It is also against God’s law to marry married women, unless they have fled the tyranny of their disbeliever husbands who are at war with you. Apart from the above mentioned ones, you may engage in marriage (and not consenting adult sex) contract, with any other woman as long as you mutually agree upon a gift (or a sum) upon the wedding; if you mutually decide later to renegotiate this sum, you may do so as God is the Knowing and the Wise.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Also (forbidden are) women already married, except those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Thus has Allâh ordained for you. All others are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) from your property, desiring chastity, not committing illegal sexual intercourse, so with those of whom you have enjoyed sexual relations, give them their Mahr as prescribed; but if after a Mahr is prescribed, you agree mutually (to give more), there is no sin on you. Surely, Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Also ˹forbidden are˺ married women—except ˹female˺ captives in your possession. This is Allah’s commandment to you. Lawful to you are all beyond these—as long as you seek them with your wealth in a legal marriage, not in fornication. Give those you have consummated marriage with their due dowries. It is permissible to be mutually gracious regarding the set dowry. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Taqi Usmani

    (Also prohibited are) the women already bound in marriage, except the bondwomen you come to own. It has been written by Allah for you. All (women), except these, have been permitted for you to seek (to marry) through your wealth, binding yourself, (in marriage) and not only for lust. So, to those of them whose company you have enjoyed, give their dues (dower) as obligated. There is no sin on you in what you mutually agree upon after the (initial) agreement. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdul Haleem

    women already married, other than your slaves.God has ordained all this for you. Other women are lawful to you, so long as you seek them in marriage, with gifts from your property, looking for wedlock rather than fornication. If you wish to enjoy women through marriage, give them their bride-gift- this is obligatory- though if you should choose mutually, after fulfilling this obligation, to do otherwise , you will not be blamed: God is all knowing and all wise.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    and wedded women, save what your right hands own. So God prescribes for you. Lawful for you, beyond all that, is that you may seek, using your wealth, in wedlock and not in licence. Such wives as you enjoy thereby, give them their wages apportionate; it is no fault in you in your agreeing together, after the due apportionate. God is All-knowing, All-wise.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    and married women, save such as your right hands possess,- God's Book against you! - but lawful for you is all besides this, for you to seek them with your wealth, marrying them and not fornicating; but such of them as ye have enjoyed, give them their hire as a lawful due; for there is no crime in you about what ye agree between you after such lawful due, verily, God is knowing and wise.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And all married women (are forbidden unto you), save such as your right hands possess (captives of war) - It is a decree of Allah for you. But lawful for you are all beyond these. So seek them with your wealth in honest marriage and not lust. But such of them from whom you seek comfort, give them their portions as a duty; and there is no crime in what you do by mutual agreement after the duty has been done. Verily, Allah is ever Knower and Wise.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And women in wedlock (are forbidden to you), except what your right hands possess. It is the prescribing (Literally: the book) of Allah for you. And lawful for you, beyond all that, is that you seek after (them) with your riches (i.e., that you pay them a dowry) in wedlock, other than in fornication. So (with) whomever of these (women) you enjoy the privilege of marriage, then bring them their rewards as an ordinance, and it is no fault in you in whatever you consented to among yourselves even after the ordinance. Surely Allah has been Ever-Knowing, Ever-Wise.

  • George Sale

    Ye are also forbidden to take to wife free women who are married, except those women whom your right hands shall possess as slaves. This is ordained you from God. Whatever is beside this, is allowed you; that ye may with your substance provide wives for your selves, acting that which is right, and avoiding whoredom. And for the advantage which ye receive from them, give them their reward, according to what is ordained: But it shall be no crime in you to make any other agreement among your selves, after the ordinance shall be complied with; for God is knowing and wise.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hand possess (as captives in the wars); Allah has thus set limits (prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided you seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property desiring chastity, not lust (nor illicit sexual conduct) seeing that you derive benefit from them, give them their dowry (at least) as prescribed; But if, after a dowry is decided, both of you agree (to change it), then there is no blame on you, and Allah is Always All Knowing (Aleem), All Wise (Hakeem).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And (you are also forbidden to marry) already married women who are in a wed-lock. Yet those (captives in war) whom your right hands possess (are permitted to you for marriage even if not formally divorced by their former husbands, since their captivity is equivalent to divorce). This is the law prescribed to you by Allâh. All (women) beyond those (mentioned above) are lawful to you, provided you seek (their hands) by means of your wealth (- by granting dowers), marrying them properly and not (committing fornication) to pursue your lust. You shall, for the benefits you draw from them (by regular marriage), pay them (- your wives) such of their dowers as have been fixed. There is, however, no blame on you (in increasing or decreasing the amount of dower) which you (- husband and wife) mutually agree upon, after it has been (once) fixed. Surely, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    and married women excepting your slave-women. This is Allah’s ordinance for you. As to others than these, it is lawful for you to seek with your wealth, in wedlock, not in license. For the enjoyment you have had from them thereby, give them their dowries, by way of settlement, and there is no sin upon you in what you may agree upon after the settlement. Indeed Allah is all-knowing, all-wise.