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
لَّا تَجْعَلُوا۟ دُعَآءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَآءِ بَعْضِكُم بَعْضًا ۚ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمْ لِوَاذًا ۚ فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِۦٓ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Do not make [your] calling of the Messenger among yourselves as the call of one of you to another. Already Allāh knows those of you who slip away, concealed by others. So let those beware who dissent from his [i.e., the Prophet's] order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
And establish prayer and give zakāh and obey the Messenger - that you may receive mercy.
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَآبَّةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِۦ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰٓ أَرْبَعٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Allāh has created every [living] creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies, and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allāh creates what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allāh is [fully] Aware of what they do.