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How can one reconcile the interpretation of the verse: "or what your right hands possess" with Islam's honoring of women, especially regarding the issue of slave girls and cohabiting with them without marriage, and the primary wife's feelings about that? And what is the convincing response to doubts about the Prophet's (peace be upon him) multiple marriages, including those to young girls? And how do we understand the story of his marriage (peace be upon him) to Zaynab bint Jahsh after Zayd ibn Harithah?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is forbidden for a Muslim to delve into the interpretation of the Qur’an without knowledge. The ownership of what your right hand possesses (bondswomen) is a divine legislation with its wisdom and benefit, and it is an honor for the enslaved woman. Muslims do not kill the captive disbelieving woman; rather, she is enslaved and has her rights. As for the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) marriage to more than four women, it was for great wisdoms, among them consoling widows and disseminating the rulings of the religion. His marriage to Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) was from Allah to abolish the ruling of adoption. In conclusion, everything legislated by Allah is for the benefit of His servants, and a Muslim should question their own understanding when they do not comprehend the wisdom of a divine ruling.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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