Mukhtasar Muslim

Narrated from Sayyiduna Urwah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) that he asked Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) about the statement of Allah, the Exalted: “If you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those women who please you, two, three, or four.” She said: O my nephew! This verse refers to the orphan girl who is under the guardianship (i.e., upbringing, like a niece under her uncle’s care) and shares in his wealth (for example, in the uncle’s wealth). Then the guardian is attracted to her wealth and beauty and wishes to marry her, but does not deal justly with her regarding her dowry and does not give her as much dowry as others would be willing to give. So Allah, the Exalted, forbade marrying such girls except in the case when they act justly and are willing to give the full dowry. And they were commanded to marry other women who please them (instead of these orphans). Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) said: After this verse was revealed, people again asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about these girls, so Allah, the Exalted, revealed this verse: “They ask you concerning women. Say: Allah gives you a ruling about them, and what is recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is prescribed for them and yet you desire to marry them.” Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: What Allah, the Exalted, mentioned, “If you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with the orphans, then marry those women who please you (other than them),” and Umm al-Mu’minin (may Allah be pleased with her) said: In the other verse, Allah’s statement, “and you desire to marry them,” means that one of you does not intend to marry that orphan girl who is under your care and is deficient in wealth and beauty. Thus, they were forbidden to marry that orphan woman who is wealthy and beautiful except in the case when they act justly (i.e., give them their full dowry and wealth, etc.). (The meaning is that in the beginning, people used to marry those orphan girls who were under their care and were wealthy and beautiful, but they would be dishonest with their wealth and not give the full dowry. In this case, in the verse at the beginning of the Surah, they were forbidden to marry them, but when the Companions asked about marrying them if it was better for the girls themselves, Allah, the Exalted, revealed verse 127 of Surah An-Nisa, stating that marrying them with justice is permissible and the best course of action.)