نِسَآؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا۟ حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ ۖ وَقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُم مُّلَـٰقُوهُ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 223
Translations
Your wives are a place of cultivation [i.e., sowing of seed] for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allāh and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers.
Transliteration
Nisāʾukum ḥarthun lakum faʾtū ḥarthakum annā shiʾtum wa-qaddimū li-anfusikum wa-ttaqū l-Lāha waʿlamū anakum mulāqūhu wa-bashshir al-muʾminīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the permissibility of marital relations, using the metaphor of 'cultivation' (ḥarth) to describe the role of women in procreation and family building. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain that while husbands have the right to approach their wives, they must do so with consideration and preparation, avoiding harm. The ayah then shifts to the broader spiritual imperative: to send forward righteous deeds for oneself and maintain taqwa (God-consciousness), as all will meet Allah on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina in response to questions about the permissibility of different positions during marital relations. It falls within the broader Medinan context of establishing Islamic family law and social ethics. The ayah transitions from a practical matter to a fundamental spiritual reminder about accountability before Allah.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding wives: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported guidance on marital conduct emphasizing kindness and consideration (Sunan Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
While Islam permits marital intimacy, it must be approached with mutual respect, kindness, and consideration for one's spouse—not merely as a right but as a responsibility. The ultimate lesson is that all human actions, including private matters, occur within the presence of divine awareness, calling believers to maintain taqwa in all aspects of life.
Related Ayahs
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Battle has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allāh knows, while you know not.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
أَمْ تُرِيدُونَ أَن تَسْـَٔلُوا۟ رَسُولَكُمْ كَمَا سُئِلَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ وَمَن يَتَبَدَّلِ ٱلْكُفْرَ بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
Or do you intend to ask your Messenger as Moses was asked before? And whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allāh is swift in account.