Question:
Salam alaykum
1.What is the difference between female slaves and wives in this verse (maa’aridj); I couldn’t find a deep explanation of this verse to convince my friend:
BISMIaLLAH Arrahmane Arrahime:
إِلاَّ عَلَى أَزْوَجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ – فَمَنِ ابْتَغَى وَرَآءَ ذلِكَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ
Sadaqa mawlana Al3adim
2.Why female slaves are not indicated as wives in this verse even though a sexual intercourse is not forbidden with the male-husband? Because of inheritance issue?
Would you shed more light on this so confusing matter.
Thank you
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
This passage lays down in an unequivocal manner that sexual relations with female slaves are permitted only on the basis of marriage, and that in this respect there is no difference between them and free/independent women; consequently, concubinage is ruled out.
مَن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَطِعۡ مِنكُمۡ طَوۡلاً أَن يَنڪِحَ ٱلۡمُحۡصَنَـٰتِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ فَمِن مَّا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُكُم مِّن فَتَيَـٰتِكُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِإِيمَـٰنِكُمۚ بَعۡضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡضٍ۬ۚ فَٱنكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذۡنِ أَهۡلِهِنَّ وَءَاتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ مُحۡصَنَـٰتٍ غَيۡرَ مُسَـٰفِحَـٰتٍ۬ وَلَا مُتَّخِذَٲتِ أَخۡدَانٍ۬ۚ فَإِذَآ أُحۡصِنَّ فَإِنۡ أَتَيۡنَ بِفَـٰحِشَةٍ۬ فَعَلَيۡہِنَّ نِصۡفُ مَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُحۡصَنَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِۚ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَنۡ خَشِىَ ٱلۡعَنَتَ مِنكُمۡۚ وَأَن تَصۡبِرُواْ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
{And whoever of you cannot afford to marry the independent believing women, then from those committed to you by oath of the believing maidens. God is more aware of your faith, you are to each other (i.e. equal)*. You shall marry them with the permission of their guardians and give them their dowries in kindness; to be protected, not for illicit sex or taking lovers. If they become protected, then any of them who comes with lewdness shall have half the punishment of what is for the independent women. This is for those who fear hardship from among you. But if you are patient it is better for you, and God is Forgiver, Merciful.} Surat an-Nisa’ 4:25
*see 3:195 in which this exact phrase is also used, emphasising equality amongst genders in terms of faith and good deeds.
Imam Senad Agic, Ph.D.
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
www.mesihat.com
