Surah An-Nisaa 4:3 - Tafsir & Translation
Read the Arabic text, translation, and detailed commentary for Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 3
Arabic Text
وَاِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ اَلَّا تُقۡسِطُوۡا فِىۡ الۡيَتٰمٰى فَانكِحُوۡا مَا طَابَ لَـكُمۡ مِّنَ النِّسَآءِ مَثۡنٰى وَثُلٰثَ وَرُبٰعَۚ فَاِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ اَلَّا تَعۡدِلُوۡا فَوَاحِدَةً اَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ اَيۡمَانُكُمۡؕ ذٰلِكَ اَدۡنٰٓى اَلَّا تَعُوۡلُوۡاؕ
Transliteration
Wa-in khiftum alla tuqsitoo feealyatama fankihoo ma tabalakum mina annisa-i mathna wathulathawarubaAAa fa-in khiftum alla taAAdiloo fawahidatanaw ma malakat aymanukum thalika adnaalla taAAooloo
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
An-Nisa 4:3 is a foundational verse of Islamic family law that establishes marriage regulations, orphan protection, and justice requirements. Revealed in Madinah, this verse states: 'If you fear that you will not do justice to the orphans, then marry the women you like, in twos, in threes and in fours. But, if you fear that you will not maintain equity, then (keep to) one woman, or bondwomen you own.' According to authentic Islamic scholarship and the circumstances of revelation narrated by Sayyidah Aisha, this verse was revealed to address the exploitation of orphan girls by their guardians who would marry them for their property while giving minimal dowries. The verse establishes the maximum limit of four wives in Islam - a revolutionary restriction from the unlimited polygamy practiced in pre-Islamic societies. The verse emphasizes absolute justice ('adl) between wives in all controllable matters including housing, time, expenses, and treatment. Historical accounts confirm that when companions like Ghailan ibn Aslamah embraced Islam with more than four wives, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ commanded them to keep only four and divorce the rest. The verse also highlights the wisdom behind Prophet Muhammad's marriages, which served educational purposes for the Muslim community, with wives like Sayyidah Aisha contributing 2,010 hadith narrations and Sayyidah Umm Salmah contributing 378 narrations to Islamic knowledge. This verse transforms marriage from mere personal choice into a divinely regulated institution balancing individual rights, social welfare, and spiritual development.
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 3 will be available soon.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 3
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What is the meaning and context of An-Nisa 4:3 regarding marriage and orphan protection?
An-Nisa 4:3 addresses the protection of orphan girls from exploitation by their guardians. The verse states: 'If you fear that you will not do justice to the orphans, then marry the women you like, in twos, in threes and in fours.' According to Sayyidah Aisha's narration, this verse was revealed when guardians would marry orphan girls under their care to claim their property while giving minimal dowries. The Quran's solution is to marry other women instead, establishing fundamental principles of justice and protection for vulnerable members of society.
❓Why does Islam allow polygamy up to four wives and what are the conditions?
Islam permits up to four wives with strict conditions of absolute justice. The verse continues: 'But if you fear that you will not maintain equity, then (keep to) one woman.' This was a revolutionary limitation from unlimited polygamy practiced in pre-Islamic societies. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated this by ordering companions like Ghailan ibn Aslamah, who had 10 wives upon embracing Islam, to keep only four. Justice requirements include equal treatment in housing, time, expenses, and all controllable matters. The Prophet warned that those who cannot maintain justice between wives will be raised on Judgment Day with one shoulder drooping.
❓What were the historical circumstances of revelation for this verse?
According to authentic hadith from Sayyidah Aisha in Sahih al-Bukhari, this verse was revealed about a specific incident where a man was the guardian of an orphan girl who shared his property. He married her not out of desire but to access her wealth, keeping her portion from her. The verse was revealed to prevent such exploitation, commanding that if guardians cannot be just to orphan girls, they should marry other women instead. This established comprehensive protection for orphaned girls' rights and property.
❓What is the linguistic and legal significance of the justice requirement in this verse?
The verse uses the Arabic term 'adl (عدل) for justice, which refers to equity in all controllable matters. The Quran distinguishes between matters within human control (housing, time, expenses, treatment) where perfect equality is required, and matters beyond control (natural inclination of the heart). Another verse (4:129) states 'you will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire,' referring to emotional inclination. However, this natural feeling must not affect practical treatment, and the verse warns against 'complete tilting' toward one wife while neglecting others.
❓How does this verse fit within the broader themes of Surah An-Nisa?
An-Nisa 4:3 continues the theme from the previous verse (4:2) about protecting orphan property. Surah An-Nisa, 'The Women,' comprehensively addresses women's rights, family law, inheritance, and social justice. This verse connects orphan protection with marriage regulations, establishing that exploitation of vulnerable members violates Islamic principles. The chapter progressively builds a framework for just family relationships, from protecting orphan property to regulating marriage, ensuring that all family interactions are based on divine guidance and mutual rights.
❓What are the spiritual and ethical lessons of this verse for modern Muslims?
This verse teaches fundamental principles of social responsibility, protection of the vulnerable, and accountability before Allah. It emphasizes that marriage is not merely a personal choice but a divinely regulated institution with social implications. The verse instills God-consciousness (taqwa) by commanding self-reflection: 'if you fear you cannot maintain justice.' It promotes transparency, ethical decision-making, and prioritizing others' rights over personal desires. The protection of orphans reflects the broader Islamic principle of social solidarity and collective responsibility for society's welfare.
❓How can the guidance of this verse be applied in contemporary family and legal contexts?
Modern application includes ensuring fair treatment in custody arrangements, property rights, inheritance disputes, and marriage contracts. Islamic family courts can reference this verse's justice principles in adjudicating marital disputes and protecting children's rights. The verse's emphasis on self-assessment before making major decisions applies to modern family planning, financial responsibility, and relationship commitments. In multicultural societies, this verse provides framework for Islamic personal law, emphasizing both individual rights and social welfare in family legislation.
❓What misconceptions does this verse address about polygamy and women's rights in Islam?
This verse clarifies that Islamic polygamy is not unlimited permission but a restricted, conditional allowance with strict justice requirements. Far from reducing women's rights, it actually established revolutionary protections: limiting unlimited pre-Islamic polygamy to maximum four wives, mandating absolute equality in treatment, requiring fair dowries, and protecting orphan girls from exploitation. The verse emphasizes that if justice cannot be maintained, monogamy is required. Historical context shows the Prophet's marriages served educational and social purposes, with his wives contributing thousands of hadith narrations that preserved Islamic knowledge for the entire Muslim community.
Translations & Commentary
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Resources & References
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