سُوْرَةُ النِّسَآءِ

Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 21

The Women · Medinan · Juz 4 · Page 81

وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُۥ وَقَدْ أَفْضَىٰ بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَأَخَذْنَ مِنكُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا ﴿21﴾
And how could you take it (back) while you have gone in unto each other, and they have taken from you a firm and strong covenant?
وَكَيْفَ wakayfa And how
تَأْخُذُونَهُۥ takhudhūnahu could you take it
وَقَدْ waqad when surely
أَفْضَىٰ afḍā has gone
بَعْضُكُمْ baʿḍukum one of you
إِلَىٰ ilā to
بَعْضٍۢ baʿḍin another
وَأَخَذْنَ wa-akhadhna and they have taken
مِنكُم minkum from you
مِّيثَـٰقًا mīthāqan covenant
غَلِيظًۭا ghalīẓan strong

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

21. 1. The meaning of 'have met each other' is intercourse, which Allah Almighty has mentioned figuratively.

21. 2. By the strong covenant is meant the covenant that is taken from the man at the time of marriage, that you will either keep her in a good manner or release her with kindness.

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.

The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).