وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَبْتَغُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا۟ فَتَيَـٰتِكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْبِغَآءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۚ وَمَن يُكْرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِكْرَٰهِهِنَّ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 33
Translations
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allāh enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allāh which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allāh is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Waliyastafif alladhina la yajidun nikahan hatta yughniahum allahu min fadlihi walladhina yabtaghun al-kitaba mimma malakat aymanukum fakatibuohum in alimtum fihim khayran wa atuhum min mali allahi alladhi atakum wa la tukrihuu fatayatikum ala al-bighaa in aradna tahassuna litabtaghuu arada al-hayati ad-dunya wa man yukrahahunna fa-inna allaha min baadi ikrahihinna ghafurun rahimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses multiple social issues: first, those unable to marry should exercise chastity until Allah grants them means; second, slaves seeking written contracts for manumission (al-kitabah) should be granted them if they show good character, with masters contributing from Allah's provision; third, slave-girls must never be forced into prostitution for worldly gain, though Allah's mercy covers those coerced into this sin. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize this passage as fundamental Islamic legislation protecting the vulnerable and regulating slavery with justice and compassion.
Revelation Context
Revealed during the Medinan period, this surah addresses the social organization of the Muslim community. This particular ayah responds to specific abuses during the early Islamic era, particularly the exploitation of enslaved persons and the economic desperation that sometimes drove such practices. It reflects Islam's gradual but firm reform of social institutions through divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever oppresses a hired worker or withholds his wages, I will be his adversary on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Related is the hadith on the rights of servants and slaves, emphasizing they should be fed and clothed as one's own self.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islam provides dignity to all persons regardless of social status, protects the vulnerable from exploitation, and commands believers to show mercy and facilitate freedom for those bound in servitude. It reminds modern readers that economic hardship does not justify moral compromise, and that societies are judged by how they treat their most vulnerable members.