What is the meaning of "those whom your right hand possesses," and can a married woman be among them, as mentioned in Surat An-Nisa?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
"Right-hand possessions" are enslaved persons, male or female. A female slave can be a wife to someone other than her master. As for her master, he may have intercourse with her by virtue of his ownership without needing a contract or witnesses, and she is called his concubine, not his wife. Each of them has detailed rulings expounded in books of Fiqh.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 30820
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy