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The question

What is the meaning of "or whom your right hands possess" in the noble verse, and is it permissible for a woman to offer herself to a man, knowing that polygamy is forbidden and punishable by law in my country?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The third verse of Surat An-Nisa, "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 hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]," refers to "those your right hand possesses," meaning female slaves. It is permissible for a man to have sexual relations with them without a contract, dowry, witnesses, or a guardian, unless there is a legitimate impediment. Although the system of "what your right hand possesses" has ended in the current era, its rulings remain applicable if its causes are present. The fundamental principle for human beings is freedom, and slavery is an anomaly. It is not permissible for a woman to offer herself as a slave, but she may waive personal rights such as maintenance or housing. Forbidding what Allah has permitted or permitting what He has forbidden is among the greatest sins, for the right to permit and forbid belongs to Allah alone.

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Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
44163
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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