Surah An-Nisa Verse 20 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : But if you want to replace one wife with another…

An-Nisa · 20/176

Translation Transliteration — An-Nisa

وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمُ اسْتِبْدَالَ زَوْجٍ مَّكَانَ زَوْجٍ وَآتَيْتُمْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ قِنطَارًا فَلَا تَأْخُذُوا مِنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ أَتَأْخُذُونَهُ بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا ۝٢٠

🔤 Transliteration

Wa in arattumustib daala zawjim makaana zawjin wa aataitum ihdaahunna qintaaran falaa taakhuzoo minhu shai`aa; ataakhuzoonahoo buhtaannanw wa ismam mubeenaa

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin?

🌐 Additional reference in Français

📖 Ayah 📜 Tafsir 📚 Al-Waseet 🔤 Ayah (I'rab)

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Translation — Tafsir

Word Meanings:

Qintār (قِنطَارًا): An enormous amount of wealth, used here to describe a very large dowry (mahr) given to the wife.
Buh'tān (بُهْتَانًا): A false accusation or slander; to wrongfully accuse someone of something they are innocent of.
Ith'm mubīn (إِثْمًا مُبِينًا): A clear, evident, and undeniable sin.

Explanation of the Verse:

O husbands, if you intend to divorce one wife and replace her with another, know that this is permissible in Islam—there is no blame upon you for seeking a new spouse. However, even if you had previously given the woman you now wish to leave an immense dowry—so vast that it could be described as a mountain of wealth—it is absolutely forbidden for you to take back any part of it. Not a single penny, not a single gift, not even the smallest portion of what you freely gave her as a bridal gift.

Allah then poses a powerful, reproachful question to awaken your conscience: *"Would you take it back by false accusation and clear sin?"* This rhetorical question is a stern rebuke. How could you possibly reclaim what you gave, especially by resorting to slander—falsely accusing her of misconduct or indecency—just to pressure her into returning the dowry? Such an act is not only a grave injustice against an innocent woman, but it is also a blatant transgression against Allah’s commandments. To take back what you willingly gifted, or to plot against her honour with lies, is a sin that leaves no room for doubt—it is manifest and clear to every fair-minded person.

A Call to Righteousness:

Dear believer, reflect on the beauty of this divine guidance. Islam does not merely legislate laws—it elevates the soul and purifies the heart. Allah, in His infinite mercy, protects the rights of women who may be vulnerable in moments of separation. He commands you to act with honour, dignity, and fairness, even when emotions run high and relationships come to an end.

This verse is a golden opportunity to earn Allah’s pleasure by treating your former spouse with kindness and generosity. Remember, the dowry you gave was a symbol of your commitment and a gift of love—not a loan to be reclaimed. By leaving it with her, you demonstrate true manhood and God-consciousness (taqwā). And know that Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good. If you let go of what is rightfully hers with a content heart, Allah will surely compensate you with something far better in this life and the next.

Let this teaching draw you closer to the Qur’an, for it is a book that perfects character, safeguards justice, and leads humanity to the path of everlasting peace. Embrace it, and you will find tranquillity in every step of your journey.

📜 Verse 18-22 — An-Nisa

18وَلَيْسَتِ التَّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ إِنِّي تُبْتُ الْآنَ وَلَا الَّذِينَ يَمُوتُونَ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I have repented now," or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.

19يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا النِّسَاءَ كَرْهًا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا بِبَعْضِ مَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا

O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.

20وَإِنْ أَرَدتُّمُ اسْتِبْدَالَ زَوْجٍ مَّكَانَ زَوْجٍ وَآتَيْتُمْ إِحْدَاهُنَّ قِنطَارًا فَلَا تَأْخُذُوا مِنْهُ شَيْئًا ۚ أَتَأْخُذُونَهُ بُهْتَانًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

But if you want to replace one wife with another and you have given one of them a great amount [in gifts], do not take [back] from it anything. Would you take it in injustice and manifest sin?

21وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُ وَقَدْ أَفْضَىٰ بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَأَخَذْنَ مِنكُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا

And how could you take it while you have gone in unto each other and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?

22وَلَا تَنكِحُوا مَا نَكَحَ آبَاؤُكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَمَقْتًا وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا

And do not marry those [women] whom your fathers married, except what has already occurred. Indeed, it was an immorality and hateful [to Allah] and was evil as a way.

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An-NisaQuran Index

176Verse

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Translation — An-Nisa 20

Surah An-Nisa Verse 20 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : But if you want to replace one wife with another…

Surah Verse 20/176 — An-Nisa النساء (Medinan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: An-Nisa Listen, An-Nisa Translation, An-Nisa mp3, An-Nisa pdf. Verse 18–22. English Meaning: Français.

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