Surah An-Nisa 4:24
سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ · Medinan · Verse 24 of 176
۞ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ۖ كِتَٰبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَأُحِلَّ لَكُم مَّا وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَن تَبْتَغُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُم مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ ۚ فَمَا ٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِۦ مِنْهُنَّ فَـَٔاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةًۭ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَٰضَيْتُم بِهِۦ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْفَرِيضَةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا
Translation
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 [with the bride-gift], you will not be blamed: God is all knowing and all wise.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, a profound statement from Allah, lays down crucial guidelines for lawful relationships in Muslim society, highlighting the sanctity of marriage and the rights of women. Through its precise wording, we uncover layers of divine wisdom and guidance.
The Sacred Shield of "Muhsanat"
The verse begins by stating, "وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ" (and married women). The word *muhsanat* (plural of *muhsanah*) comes from the root *hasana*, meaning to prevent or protect. As al-Razi explains, it can refer to free women, chaste women, or married women, all linked by the idea of being "protected" or "guarded." In this specific context, the unanimous reading with a *fatha* on the *sad* (مُحْصَنَاتُ) indicates women who have been *made* chaste or protected through marriage. This emphasizes that marriage is a fortress, safeguarding a woman's honor and dignity by granting her a lawful partner and prohibiting others from her.
The exception, "إِلَّا مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ" (except what your right hands possess), refers to female captives of war. Ibn Ashur notes that this exception was a specific legal allowance in wartime, where capture dissolved previous marriages, making these women lawful for Muslim men after a waiting period. This underscores that Allah's divine decree can override previous human marital contracts in very specific, divinely legislated circumstances, as a part of the laws of warfare.
A Divine Injunction and Permission
Following these prohibitions, the phrase "كِتَٰبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ" (the Scripture of Allah upon you) acts as a powerful, emphatic declaration. Al-Razi and Ibn Ashur describe it as a divine injunction, like saying "Adhere to the Book of Allah." It elevates these rules from mere suggestions to binding obligations, a testament to Allah's decree.
Then comes "وَأُحِلَّ لَكُم مَّا وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكُمْ" (and lawful for you are all beyond that). Notice the grammatical choice: while prohibitions ("ḥurrimat") often use the passive voice, the permission ("uḥilla" – made lawful, or "aḥalla" – Allah made lawful) is often presented in the active, attributing it directly to Allah as a favor and a gift, as Ibn Ashur points out. This highlights the immense mercy and breadth of what Allah has made permissible, in contrast to the specific, limited prohibitions. "ما وراء ذلكم" simply means all women *other* than those explicitly mentioned as prohibited in this and the preceding verse.
The Purpose of Lawful Union
The verse continues, "أَن تَبْتَغُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُم مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ" (that you seek them with your wealth, desiring chastity, not lust). The Quran emphasizes that seeking a partner must be "بِأَمْوَٰلِكُم" (with your wealth), signifying the giving of a dowry (mahr). This financial commitment underscores the seriousness and responsibility of marriage, distinguishing it from casual relations.
The words "مُّحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ" are particularly insightful. "مُّحْصِنِينَ" here, in the active voice, describes men as *seeking* chastity and self-protection through marriage. The contrasting term, "مُسَٰفِحِينَ" (those who commit fornication), comes from the root *safh*, meaning to pour out or shed (like shedding tears or blood), as al-Razi and Ibn Ashur explain. It vividly portrays illicit relations as a casual, uncontrolled "pouring out" of desire, devoid of responsibility, commitment, or the higher purposes of marriage like family and progeny. This stark contrast emphasizes that marriage is built on honorable intentions, mutual protection, and the establishment of a family, not mere gratification.
The Sacred Trust of the Dowry
"فَمَا ٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهِۦ مِنْهُنَّ فَـَٔاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ فَرِيضَةًۭ" (Then for that enjoyment you had of them, give them their due compensation as an obligation). The term "ٱسْتَمْتَعْتُم" (you enjoyed/benefited) refers to the marital relationship and the enjoyment derived from it. The Quran beautifully refers to the dowry as "أُجُورَهُنَّ" (their wages or compensation). Al-Jadwal highlights this as a powerful metaphor, presenting the dowry not as a price for a commodity, but as a just, earned recompense for the woman's role and commitment in the marriage. The word "فَرِيضَةًۭ" (as an obligation) further emphasizes that this is a mandatory, divinely imposed right, solidifying the woman's financial security and respect within the union.
Flexibility within Obligation
"وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا تَرَٰضَيْتُم بِهِۦ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْفَرِيضَةِ" (And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation). This phrase grants flexibility: once the dowry is established as an obligation, the couple can mutually agree to adjust it, whether by increasing it, decreasing it, or forgiving part of it. This highlights the spirit of consent, goodwill, and flexibility within the framework of divine law, allowing for personal considerations and mutual generosity.
Divine Wisdom in Law
The verse concludes with "إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا" (Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise). These divine names remind us that all these intricate laws, prohibitions, and permissions are not arbitrary. Allah, *Al-Alim* (The All-Knowing), comprehends the deepest needs and complexities of human beings and societies. *Al-Hakim* (The All-Wise) ensures that His decrees are perfectly balanced, just, and ultimately beneficial for our well-being in this life and the Hereafter. This ending encourages deep trust and willing submission to His perfect guidance.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Nisa 4:24 is discussed in 8 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Nisa 4:24 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.