يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِنَّآ أَحْلَلْنَا لَكَ أَزْوَٰجَكَ ٱلَّـٰتِىٓ ءَاتَيْتَ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ مِمَّآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَبَنَاتِ عَمِّكَ وَبَنَاتِ عَمَّـٰتِكَ وَبَنَاتِ خَالِكَ وَبَنَاتِ خَـٰلَـٰتِكَ ٱلَّـٰتِى هَاجَرْنَ مَعَكَ وَٱمْرَأَةً مُّؤْمِنَةً إِن وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِىِّ إِنْ أَرَادَ ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَن يَسْتَنكِحَهَا خَالِصَةً لَّكَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۗ قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا فَرَضْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِىٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ لِكَيْلَا يَكُونَ عَلَيْكَ حَرَجٌ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 50
Translations
O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their due compensation and those your right hand possesses from what Allāh has returned to you [of captives] and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you and a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet [and] if the Prophet wishes to marry her; [this is] only for you, excluding the [other] believers. We certainly know what We have made obligatory upon them concerning their wives and those their right hands possess, [but this is for you] in order that there will be upon you no discomfort [i.e., difficulty]. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha an-nabiyyu inna ahallalna laka azwajaka allatee atayta ujoorahunna wa ma malakat yaminek mimma afaa allahu alayka wa banati ammika wa banati ammatika wa banati khalika wa banati khalatika allatee hajarana maaka wa imraatan muminatan in wahabat nafsaha li-nabiyyi in arada an-nabiyyu an yastankihaha khalisatan laka min douni al-mu'mineen. Qad alimna ma faradna alayhim fee azwajihim wa ma malakat aymanuhum li-kay la yakoon alayka harajun. Wa kana allahu ghafuran rahimah.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This verse specifies the categories of women lawful for the Prophet Muhammad to marry, a ruling exclusive to him and not applicable to the general Muslim community. The permissible categories include: his wives whom he has given their required gifts (mahr), captive women from war booty, his female cousins on both paternal and maternal sides who migrated with him, and any believing woman who willingly gifts herself to him without requiring a dower. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this was a special dispensation reflecting the Prophet's elevated status and the unique circumstances of his mission, while the verse concludes by acknowledging the restrictions placed on the believers regarding marriage and slavery, thereby explaining the distinction without implying burden upon the Prophet.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Battle of Ahzab (33 AH) and the siege of Medina, addressing matters of the Prophet's household and marriage practices. The broader surah deals with the combined forces (ahzab) that came against the Muslims, and this verse specifically addresses the Prophet's personal matters as part of Divine guidance for his unique position and responsibilities in the Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported regarding the Prophet's marriages: 'The Prophet married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage when I was nine years old' (Sahih Bukhari 5133). Additionally, regarding the willing gift of women to the Prophet, it is reported that Khawlah bint Hakim offered herself to the Prophet in marriage (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3862).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic law acknowledges different categories of people with different responsibilities and permissions according to their roles; it also demonstrates that the Prophet's actions were guided by Divine revelation rather than personal desire, establishing his exemplary character. For believers today, it underscores the importance of understanding the contextual nature of Islamic jurisprudence and recognizing the Prophet's unique position while following his moral example in all matters applicable to the general community.