ٱلزَّانِى لَا يَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً وَٱلزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنكِحُهَآ إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ ۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 3
Translations
The fornicator does not marry except a [female] fornicator or polytheist, and none marries her except a fornicator or a polytheist, and that [i.e., marriage to such persons] has been made unlawful to the believers.
Transliteration
Az-zānī lā yankiḥu illā zāniyatan aw mushrikatan wa-z-zāniyatu lā yankiḥuhā illā zānin aw mushrikun wa-ḥurrima dhālik ʿala-l-muʾminīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that a fornicator (male) will not marry except a fornicatress (female) or a polytheist woman, and similarly a fornicatress will not be married except by a fornicator or polytheist man, with this practice being forbidden for believers. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as both a legal ruling prohibiting such marriages and a divine principle that sinful individuals are drawn to similar partners, reflecting the natural consequences of immoral behavior. The ayah emphasizes the gravity of fornication and the incompatibility between a believer's faith and engaging in such unions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), a Medinan surah primarily addressing matters of personal conduct, family law, and the boundaries of moral behavior in the Muslim community. It follows the verses establishing the punishment for fornication (24:2) and precedes regulations on marriage and social interaction, providing a comprehensive framework for maintaining chastity and family honor in Islamic society.
Related Hadiths
The Hadith of 'A'ishah in Sahih Muslim regarding the Prophet's statement about marriage compatibility: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives,' emphasizing righteous conduct in marriage. Additionally, traditions in Sunan At-Tirmidhi discuss the Prophet's guidance on choosing virtuous spouses.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that maintaining moral integrity is foundational to a healthy marriage and family life, and that believers are called to a higher standard of conduct that naturally leads them toward righteous partners; it serves as a reminder that our choices and character shape the quality of our most intimate relationships.
Related Ayahs
فِى بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا ٱسْمُهُۥ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِيهَا بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ
[Such niches are] in houses [i.e., mosques] which Allāh has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned [i.e., praised] therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمْـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُۥ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْـًٔا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ فَوَفَّىٰهُ حِسَابَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ
But those who disbelieved - their deeds are like a mirage in a lowland which a thirsty one thinks is water until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing but finds Allāh before him, and He will pay him in full his due; and Allāh is swift in account.
وَيَدْرَؤُا۟ عَنْهَا ٱلْعَذَابَ أَن تَشْهَدَ أَرْبَعَ شَهَـٰدَٰتٍۭ بِٱللَّهِ ۙ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
But it will prevent punishment from her if she gives four testimonies [swearing] by Allāh that indeed, he is of the liars.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ ٱلْفَـٰحِشَةُ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allāh knows and you do not know.