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Surah An-Nisa, Verse 3

سورة النساء، الآية ٣

4:3 Juz 4 Hizb 8 Page 77 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 4:3

وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟ ۝٣

Transliteration

wa-in khif'tum allā tuq'siṭū fī l-yatāmā fa-inkiḥū mā ṭāba lakum mina l-nisāi mathnā wathulātha warubāʿa fa-in khif'tum allā taʿdilū fawāḥidatan aw mā malakat aymānukum dhālika adnā allā taʿūlū

Translation

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].

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 3 of Surah An-Nisa (4:3), a Medinan surah, is in juz 4, on page 77 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.

Listen to verse 3 of Surah An-Nisa

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Tafsir of verse 3

Al-Mukhtasar

If you fear that you will not be just in marrying the female orphans under your guardianship – fearing that you will not give them an appropriate dowry or will not treat them well – then do not marry them, and marry other women you choose. You may marry two, three or four; but if you fear that you will be unjust between them, then marry just one, or suffice with what you possess of slave women, for their rights are not the same as the rights of wives. This is the best way to avoid being unjust or biased.

Tafsir of the whole Surah An-Nisa

Other translations of verse 3

If you fear that you may not maintain justice with orphan girls [by marrying them] then marry women of your choice—two, three, or four3; but if you fear that you may not maintain justice, then marry only one, or slave-girls you may own. That is more likely to avoid committing injustice.

Notes

[3] ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها) said: “This verse was revealed concerning any man under whom is an orphan girl for whom he is both guardian and inheritor, while she has money and with no one to argue in her favor. This guardian is enjoined not to marry her for her money, nor is he to beat or molest her in the process. In this respect, Allah says: “If you fear that you may not maintain justice with orphan girls [by marrying them] then marry women of your choice”. That is, He, the Almighty, is saying: “These I made lawful for you, and leave out those that you may be unfair to.”” [Al-Bukhārī: 4573, Muslim: 3018]

And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan-girls then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice.

And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice.

If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.

And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course.

And, in case you fear that you will not act equitably towards the orphans, then marry such women as is good to you, two, three, four, (Literally: in twos and threes and fours) then, in case you fear that you will not do justice, then one (only), or what your right hands possess. That (way) is likelier you will not be in want (Or: you will have too many dependents).

Verse 3 word by word

  1. وَإِنْ wa-in And if
  2. خِفْتُمْ khif'tum you fear خ و ف
  3. أَلَّا allā that not
  4. تُقْسِطُوا۟ tuq'siṭū you will be able to do justice ق س ط
  5. فِى fī with
  6. ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ l-yatāmā the orphans ي ت م
  7. فَٱنكِحُوا۟ fa-inkiḥū then marry ن ك ح
  8. مَا mā what
  9. طَابَ ṭāba seems suitable ط ي ب
  10. لَكُم lakum to you
  11. مِّنَ mina from
  12. ٱلنِّسَآءِ l-nisāi the women ن س و
  13. مَثْنَىٰ mathnā two ث ن ي
  14. وَثُلَٰثَ wathulātha or three ث ل ث
  15. وَرُبَٰعَ warubāʿa or four ر ب ع
  16. فَإِنْ fa-in But if
  17. خِفْتُمْ khif'tum you fear خ و ف
  18. أَلَّا allā that not
  19. تَعْدِلُوا۟ taʿdilū you can do justice ع د ل
  20. فَوَٰحِدَةً fawāḥidatan then (marry) one و ح د
  21. أَوْ aw or
  22. مَا mā what
  23. مَلَكَتْ malakat possesses م ل ك
  24. أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ aymānukum your right hand ي م ن
  25. ذَٰلِكَ dhālika That
  26. أَدْنَىٰٓ adnā (is) more appropriate د ن و
  27. أَلَّا allā that (may) not
  28. تَعُولُوا۟ taʿūlū you oppress ع و ل

Hadiths that cite this verse

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 2763

`Urwa bin Az-Zubair said that he asked `Aisha about the meaning of the Qur'anic Verse:-- "And if you fear that you will not deal fairly with the orphan girls then marry (other) women of your choice." (4.2-3) Aisha said, "It is about a female orphan under the guardianship of her guardian who is…

هِيَ الْيَتِيمَةُ فِي حَجْرِ وَلِيِّهَا، فَيَرْغَبُ فِي جَمَالِهَا وَمَالِهَا، وَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا بِأَدْنَى مِنْ سُنَّةِ نِسَائِهَا، فَنُهُوا عَنْ نِكَاحِهِنَّ، إِلاَّ أَنْ يُقْسِطُوا لَهُنَّ فِي إِكْمَالِ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 4 other versions

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 4573

There was an orphan (girl) under the care of a man. He married her and she owned a date palm (garden). He married her just because of that and not because he loved her. So the Divine Verse came regarding his case: "If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls..."…

أَنَّ رَجُلاً، كَانَتْ لَهُ يَتِيمَةٌ فَنَكَحَهَا، وَكَانَ لَهَا عَذْقٌ، وَكَانَ يُمْسِكُهَا عَلَيْهِ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا مِنْ نَفْسِهِ شَىْءٌ فَنَزَلَتْ فِيهِ ‏{‏وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَنْ لاَ تُقْسِطُوا فِي الْيَتَامَى‏}‏…

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 4574

That he asked `Aisha regarding the Statement of Allah: "If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls..." (4.3) She said, "O son of my sister! An Orphan girl used to be under the care of a guardian with whom she shared property. Her guardian, being attracted by her…

فَنُهُوا أَنْ يَنْكِحُوا عَنْ مَنْ رَغِبُوا فِي مَالِهِ وَجَمَالِهِ فِي يَتَامَى النِّسَاءِ، إِلاَّ بِالْقِسْطِ، مِنْ أَجْلِ رَغْبَتِهِمْ عَنْهُنَّ إِذَا كُنَّ قَلِيلاَتِ الْمَالِ وَالْجَمَالِ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 4 other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 2494

That he had asked `Aisha about the meaning of the Statement of Allah: "If you fear that you shall not Be able to deal justly With the orphan girls, then Marry (Other) women of your choice Two or three or four." (4.3) She said, "O my nephew! This is about the orphan girl who lives with her guardian…

هِيَ الْيَتِيمَةُ تَكُونُ فِي حَجْرِ وَلِيِّهَا تُشَارِكُهُ فِي مَالِهِ، فَيُعْجِبُهُ مَالُهَا وَجَمَالُهَا، فَيُرِيدُ وَلِيُّهَا أَنْ يَتَزَوَّجَهَا بِغَيْرِ أَنْ يُقْسِطَ فِي صَدَاقِهَا، فَيُعْطِيهَا مِثْلَ مَا…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 4 other versions

Verses related to verse 3

Cited by Ibn Kathir in his explanation of this verse

  • Fatir 35:1

    ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِىٓ أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَآءُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

    [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.

  • An-Nisa 4:127

    وَيَسْتَفْتُونَكَ فِى ٱلنِّسَآءِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِيهِنَّ وَمَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ فِى يَتَٰمَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّٰتِى لَا تُؤْتُونَهُنَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُنَّ وَتَرْغَبُونَ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ وَأَن تَقُومُوا۟ لِلْيَتَٰمَىٰ بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمًا

    And they request from you, [O Muḥammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allāh gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing of it.

  • An-Nisa 4:129

    وَلَن تَسْتَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ بَيْنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ فَلَا تَمِيلُوا۟ كُلَّ ٱلْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلْمُعَلَّقَةِ وَإِن تُصْلِحُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

    And you will never be able to be equal [in feeling] between wives, even if you should strive [to do so]. So do not incline completely [toward one] and leave another hanging. And if you amend [your affairs] and fear Allāh - then indeed, Allāh is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

  • At-Tawbah 9:28

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا يَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ ٱلْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَيْلَةً فَسَوْفَ يُغْنِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِن شَآءَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

    O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Ḥarām after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allāh will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

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