وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟ 3
Translations
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hands possess [i.e., slaves]. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].
Transliteration
Wa-in khiftum alla tuqsitoo fil-yatama fankihoo ma taba lakum min an-nisai mathna wa thulatha wa ruba'a fa-in khiftum alla ta'dilo fa-wahidatan aw ma malakat aymanukum dhalika adna alla ta'ooloo
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the guardianship of orphans' wealth and establishes the framework for polygamy in Islam. The verse permits marriage to multiple women (up to four) on the condition of just and equitable treatment, but if one fears inability to maintain justice, then marriage to one wife or to slave women is prescribed. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the primary concern of the ayah is ensuring fair treatment of orphan girls under guardianship, with the permission for polygamy contextually linked to this responsibility. The concluding phrase 'that is more likely to prevent you from wrongdoing' (adna alla ta'ooloo) emphasizes that limiting oneself to one wife is the safer path to maintaining justice.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period addressing practical social concerns in the early Muslim community. The surah An-Nisa focuses extensively on women's rights, family relations, and inheritance. Historically, this revelation came during a period when many Muslim women had been widowed in battles, creating a need for provisions regarding their care and remarriage. The ayah specifically contextualizes polygamy within the framework of protecting orphan girls and maintaining social welfare.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (RA) reported: 'If you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry of the women as may seem good to you' (related to this ayah's context in Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives,' establishing the standard of justice required in marriage.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic permissions come with strict conditions of justice and righteousness—polygamy is permissible only for those capable of absolute fairness, and monogamy is the safer, recommended path for most. It reminds believers that protecting the vulnerable, especially orphans and women, is a core Islamic principle that supersedes personal desires.
Related Ayahs
دَرَجَـٰتٍ مِّنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
Degrees [of high position] from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
وَلَوْ أَنَّا كَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنِ ٱقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ أَوِ ٱخْرُجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِكُم مَّا فَعَلُوهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا۟ مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِۦ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا
And if We had decreed upon them, "Kill yourselves" or "Leave your homes," they would not have done it, except for a few of them. But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith].
وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعَـٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا
And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] as if they [themselves] had left weak offspring behind and feared for them. So let them fear Allāh and speak words of appropriate justice.
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا۟ فَلْيَكُونُوا۟ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا۟ فَلْيُصَلُّوا۟ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةً وَٰحِدَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا
And when you [i.e., the commander of an army] are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allāh has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.