A Critique of the Exegesis of Verse 24 of Surah al-Nisāʼ by Translators and Commentators: Permissibility of Marriage with Married Captive Women of Disbelievers

Abstract

The phrase "Illā mā Malakat Aymānukum (Except those your right hands possess)" in verse 24 of Surah al-Nisāʼ has been interpreted as permitting marriage with married captive women of disbelievers, as an exception to the prohibition of marriage with married women. The fundamental question is whether this translation, exegesis, and understanding of the mentioned verse has Quranic and historical support. The present study, using documentary and descriptive-analytical methods, aims to examine and clarifies the answer to this question in the verses of the Quran and historical reports, and arrives at the following findings: 1) The text and context of the Quranic verses regarding war and combat do not support such an interpretation; 2) There is no indication that "Except those your right hands possess" refers to prisoners of war; 3) Historical reports do not support the narratives cited by commentators; 4) Explicit rules regarding the treatment of prisoners of war in the Quran do not support this interpretation; 5) Considering the efforts of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) towards the liberation of existing slaves in society, enslaving prisoners is contrary to this ethical practice of the Prophet (PBUH). The history of the Prophet's (PBUH) era can create a fundamental change in the understanding of the verse that forms the basis of its interpretation. These types of translations and interpretations may have a post-analytical basis and be influenced by the era of Islamic conquests