Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 6
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
➋ From {’’ اِلَّا عَلٰۤى اَزْوَاجِهِمْ اَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُهُمْ ‘‘} it is understood that for a Muslim man there are only two ways to fulfill sexual desire: wife and slave woman, and for a woman there is only one way, and that is her husband. Because when the wife is made lawful for the husband, the husband automatically becomes lawful for the wife. A woman cannot fulfill her need with her male slave, because the word {’’ عَلٰۤى‘‘} prohibits this, which is used in the sense of superiority and being above.
➌ From this verse it is understood that for the permissibility of intercourse with a woman, marriage is necessary, or her being owned. The owner does not need to marry his slave woman; if marriage was necessary for the owner to have intercourse with her, then {’’ عَلٰۤى اَزْوَاجِهِمْ ‘‘} would have been sufficient, and there would have been no need to mention slave women separately.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
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Rejection of Abstaining from Marriage and Monasticism:
That is, for Muslims, there are only two ways to fulfill their sexual desires and passions. One is that they fulfill their desire with their wives, and the other is that they may fulfill it with their slave women. For slave women, the condition of marriage does not apply, and the basis for the permissibility of enjoyment with them is not marriage but ownership. From this verse, two more matters become clear. One is that monks, ascetics, or some types of Sufis consider the fulfillment of sexual desire to be bad. To the extent that marriage is considered contrary to the standards of their self-made sainthood. This is because after marriage, a person gets involved in the worries of household and children, and this becomes an obstacle in attaining the exercises of monasticism. In this verse, there is a complete refutation of the ideology of such people. Also, in the time of the Prophet, there was a tendency towards monasticism among some of the Companions. Thus, Hazrat Anas bin Malikؓ says that three men came to the houses of the wives of the Messenger of Allahﷺ and began to ask about his worship. When they were informed, they considered it little and said, "Where are we compared to the Messenger of Allahﷺ, whose past and future sins have all been forgiven?" Then one of them said, "I will always spend the whole night in prayer." The second said, "I will always fast." And the third said, "I will always keep away from women and never marry." Meanwhile, the Prophetﷺ came and asked them, "Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah! I am the one who fears Allah the most among you and is the most pious. Yet I fast and also break my fast, I pray at night and also sleep, and I also marry women. So whoever dislikes my Sunnah has nothing to do with me." [بخاری۔ کتاب النکاح۔ باب الترغیب فی النکاح]
Prohibition of a Woman Enjoying Her Male Slave:
And the second matter is that for a man, it is permissible to enjoy his slave woman, but a woman cannot enjoy her male slave. In the time of Hazrat Umarؓ, a woman enjoyed her male slave and then presented this verse as evidence. He presented this matter in the council of the Companions, and all unanimously said: «تَاَوَّلْتُ كِتَاب اللّٰهِ تَعَاليٰ خَيْرُ تَاوِيْلِه» (i.e., this woman has derived the wrong meaning from the Book of Allah), and the wisdom in prohibiting this for a woman is that a slave can fulfill the sexual desire of his mistress, but he cannot become her guardian (qawwam). Therefore, it is better for such a woman that if she wishes, she should free him and then marry him.
