وَأَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْأَيَـٰمَىٰ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَآئِكُمْ ۚ إِن يَكُونُوا۟ فُقَرَآءَ يُغْنِهِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ 32
Translations
And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allāh will enrich them from His bounty, and Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa-ankihū al-ayāmā minkum wa-as-sālihīn min ibādikum wa-imā'ikum. In yakūnū fuqarā' yughnihim Allāh min fadlih. Wa-Allāh wāsi' 'alīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to marry off the unmarried among them, including righteous slaves and slave-women, emphasizing that poverty should not be a deterrent to marriage as Allah will enrich them from His bounty. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir highlight that this verse establishes marriage as a recommended act of worship and removes social barriers to matrimony based on economic status, while affirming Allah's vast knowledge and provision.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah within Surah An-Nur, which addresses issues of social conduct, modesty, and family relations in the Muslim community. This particular verse fits within the broader context of Quranic teachings on marriage and family structure, encouraging a culture where matrimony is facilitated rather than hindered by worldly concerns.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'O young people! Whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it lowers the gaze and protects the private parts' (Sahih Bukhari 5193). Additionally, the Prophet encouraged marriage as a Sunnah, stating: 'Marriage is my Sunnah, and whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me' (Sunan Ibn Majah 1846).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should actively facilitate marriage within their communities without letting economic circumstances become obstacles, trusting in Allah's infinite provision and wisdom. This teaches that seeking righteous partnership is a noble endeavor deserving communal support and that financial constraints should not prevent adherence to the Sunnah of marriage.
Related Ayahs
لَّوْلَا جَآءُو عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلشُّهَدَآءِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ
Why did they [who slandered] not produce for it four witnesses? And when they do not produce the witnesses, then it is they, in the sight of Allāh, who are the liars.
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
فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا۟ فِيهَآ أَحَدًا فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۖ هُوَ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter them until permission has been given you. And if it is said to you, "Go back," then go back; it is purer for you. And Allāh is Knowing of what you do.
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Never think that the disbelievers are causing failure [to Allāh] upon the earth. Their refuge will be the Fire - and how wretched the destination.