Surah An-Nisaa 4:23 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 23
Arabic Text
حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ اُمَّهٰتُكُمۡ وَبَنٰتُكُمۡ وَاَخَوٰتُكُمۡ وَعَمّٰتُكُمۡ وَخٰلٰتُكُمۡ وَبَنٰتُ الۡاٰخِ وَبَنٰتُ الۡاُخۡتِ وَاُمَّهٰتُكُمُ الّٰتِىۡۤ اَرۡضَعۡنَكُمۡ وَاَخَوٰتُكُمۡ مِّنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ وَاُمَّهٰتُ نِسَآٮِٕكُمۡ وَرَبَآٮِٕبُكُمُ الّٰتِىۡ فِىۡ حُجُوۡرِكُمۡ مِّنۡ نِّسَآٮِٕكُمُ الّٰتِىۡ دَخَلۡتُمۡ بِهِنَّ فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَكُوۡنُوۡا دَخَلۡتُمۡ بِهِنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَحَلَٓاٮِٕلُ اَبۡنَآٮِٕكُمُ الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ اَصۡلَابِكُمۡۙ وَاَنۡ تَجۡمَعُوۡا بَيۡنَ الۡاُخۡتَيۡنِ اِلَّا مَا قَدۡ سَلَفَؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ غَفُوۡرًا رَّحِيۡمًاۙ
Transliteration
Hurrimat AAalaykum ommahatukumwabanatukum waakhawatukum waAAammatukum wakhalatukumwabanatu al-akhi wabanatu al-okhti waommahatukumuallatee ardaAAnakum waakhawatukum mina arradaAAatiwaommahatu nisa-ikum waraba-ibukumu allateefee hujoorikum min nisa-ikumu allateedakhaltum bihinna fa-in lam takoonoo dakhaltum bihinna falajunaha AAalaykum wahala-ilu abna-ikumuallatheena min aslabikum waan tajmaAAoobayna al-okhtayni illa ma qad salafa inna Allahakana ghafooran raheema
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:23 provides the comprehensive list of muharramat (forbidden women) in Islamic marriage law, stating 'Prohibited to you are your mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, brother's daughters, sister's daughters, foster mothers who nursed you, foster sisters, mothers-in-law, stepdaughters under your guardianship born of wives you have consummated with, wives of your sons from your loins, and combining two sisters in marriage.' According to authentic Islamic scholarship, this verse establishes three categories of permanently forbidden women: seven by blood relations (mothers ascending, daughters descending, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, nieces from brothers and sisters), seven by marriage relations (mothers-in-law, stepdaughters with consummation condition, father's wives, sons' wives, combining two sisters), and foster relations equivalent to blood relations. Ibn Abbas explained that Allah prohibited seven degrees by blood and seven by marriage. The verse serves as the foundational text for Islamic family law, ensuring family dignity, preventing conflicts, and maintaining proper social boundaries. The phrase 'except what has already occurred' applies to pre-Islamic practices, demonstrating Islam's gradual approach to social reform while establishing permanent moral standards.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Tafsir & Context
Detailed tafsir and context for Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 23 will be available soon.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 23
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the complete list of women forbidden in marriage according to An-Nisa 4:23?
An-Nisa 4:23 lists the muharramat (forbidden women): (1) By blood relations - mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, nieces from brothers and sisters; (2) By foster relations - foster mothers who nursed you, foster sisters; (3) By marriage relations - mothers-in-law, stepdaughters (with consummation condition), and prohibition of combining two sisters. According to Ibn Abbas, this establishes seven degrees by blood relation and seven by marriage relation.
❓How do foster relations establish marriage prohibitions according to Islamic law?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said 'Suckling prohibits what birth prohibits' (reported by Bukhari and Muslim). Foster relations through nursing establish the same marriage prohibitions as blood relations. However, this only applies when nursing occurs during the usual suckling period (up to two years of age). According to most scholars, five instances of nursing are required to establish prohibition, though some require fewer instances.
❓Under what conditions can a man marry his stepdaughter according to Quran 4:23?
The verse states stepdaughters are prohibited 'born of your wives unto whom you have gone in - but if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you.' This means if a man divorces his wife before consummating the marriage, he may marry her daughter from a previous marriage. However, if consummation occurred, the stepdaughter becomes permanently forbidden, regardless of whether she lived in his household or not.
❓Why does the verse specify 'wives of your sons who spring from your own loins'?
The phrase 'from your own loins' excludes adopted sons, whose wives are not forbidden. In pre-Islamic times, adopted sons were treated like biological sons in all matters including marriage restrictions. This verse clarified that only the wives of biological sons are prohibited. The Prophet's marriage to Zaynab, the ex-wife of his adopted son Zayd, demonstrated this principle and ended the jahiliyyah practice of treating adoption like biological parenthood.
❓What is the wisdom behind prohibiting the combination of two sisters in marriage?
Combining two sisters as rival wives creates natural jealousy and family discord. The prohibition extends beyond marriage to include foster sisters and applies to polygamy situations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also prohibited combining a woman with her paternal aunt or maternal aunt in marriage. When Muslims embraced Islam while married to two sisters, they were given the choice to keep one and divorce the other, as narrated in authentic hadith about companions like Firoz Ad-Daylami.
❓How does the principle 'except what has already occurred' apply to these marriage prohibitions?
The phrase 'illa ma qad salafa' (except what has already occurred) demonstrates Islamic wisdom in gradual social reform. It forgave pre-Islamic marriages that violated these rules without retroactive punishment. However, after embracing Islam, such marriages had to be dissolved. This principle shows Allah's mercy while establishing permanent moral standards. For example, those married to two sisters had to choose one and divorce the other.
❓What are the differences between permanent and temporary marriage prohibitions in Islam?
Permanent prohibitions (muharramat) include blood relations, foster relations, and certain in-law relations that can never be married regardless of circumstances. Temporary prohibitions include: (1) sister of current wife (permissible after divorce/death and completion of waiting period); (2) more than four wives at once; (3) married women (permissible after divorce/widowhood). The verse 4:23 primarily deals with permanent prohibitions that establish family boundaries and social order.
❓How do Islamic scholars explain the wisdom behind these marriage prohibitions?
Islamic scholars identify several wisdoms: (1) Maintaining family dignity and respect relationships; (2) Preventing genetic disorders from close blood relations; (3) Expanding social bonds beyond immediate family; (4) Protecting vulnerable family members; (5) Preventing conflicts that would arise from inappropriate relationships; (6) Preserving the sanctity of family hierarchy. While specific wisdoms may not always be apparent to humans, Muslims accept these as divine commands containing inherent wisdom and benefit.
❓How does this verse establish the foundation of Islamic family law?
An-Nisa 4:23 serves as the cornerstone of Islamic family law by: (1) Clearly defining prohibited degrees of relationship; (2) Establishing equality between foster and blood relations in marriage law; (3) Setting conditions for marriage with in-laws; (4) Prohibiting practices that harm family harmony; (5) Providing the legal framework that all subsequent Islamic jurisprudence builds upon. This comprehensive verse ensures family protection, social stability, and moral boundaries while allowing lawful marriages that strengthen community bonds.
Translations & Commentary
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