Surah Baqarah ayat 221 Tafsir Quran 2:221

﴿وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ﴾
[ البقرة: 221]

2:221 And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember.

O Muslims Do not marry idolatresses disbelievers until they believe; a believing slavegirl is better than an idolatress who may be a free woman; this was revealed as a rebuttal of the idea that it was shameful to marry a slavegirl and that it was better to marry an idolatress free woman; though you may admire her because of her beauty and wealth this provision excludes the womenfolk of the People of the Scripture as indicated by the verse Q. 55 lawful to you are the chaste women among those who were given the Scripture. And do not marry off believing women to idolaters until they believe. A believing slave is better than an idolater though you may admire him for his wealth and good looks. Those the people of idolatry call to the Fire because they invite one to perform deeds that merit this and for this reason one should not marry with them; and God calls through the voice of His prophets to Paradise and pardon that is to the deeds that merit these two by His leave by His will so that His call may be heeded by marrying with His friends; and He makes clear His signs to the people so that they might remember that they might be admonished.

Do not join idolaters in wedlock before they believe in Allah, their Creator, with true faith. Indeed, a slave who believes in Allah is far better than an idolater even if adorned with qualities attracting your love; nor should you allow your women to join idolaters in wedlock before believing in Allah with spiritual faith; indeed, a slave who believes in Allah is far better than an idolater even if adorned with qualities attracting your love. These idolaters influence your actions and deeds and you will end in the Fire, whereas Allah graciously attracts you to settle in His Paradise, and enjoy His forgiveness. Allah explicates to people His revelations that they may hopefully open their minds’ eyes

The Prohibition of marrying Mushrik Men and Women Allah prohibited the believers from marrying Mushrik women who worship idols.
Although the meaning is general and includes every Mushrik woman from among the idol worshippers and the People of the Scripture, Allah excluded the People of the Scripture from this ruling.
Allah stated: مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ ( (Lawful to you in marriage ) are chaste women from those who were given the Scripture ( Jews and Christians ) before your time when you have given their due dowry, desiring chastity ( i.e., taking them in legal wedlock ) not committing illegal sexual intercourse.) ( 5:5 ) `Ali bin Abu Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said about what Allah said: وَلاَ تَنْكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَـتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ ( And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators ) till they believe ( worship Allah Alone ).) "Allah has excluded the women of the People of the Scripture." This is also the explanation of Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Makhul, Al-Hasan, Ad-Dahhak, Zayd bin Aslam and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and others.
Some scholars said that the Ayah is exclusively talking about idol worshippers and not the People of the Scripture, and this meaning is similar to the first meaning we mentioned.
Allah knows best. Abu Ja`far bin Jarir ( At-Tabari ) said, after mentioning that there is Ijma` that marrying women from the People of the Scripture is allowed, "`Umar disliked this practice so that the Muslims do not refrain from marrying Muslim women, or for similar reasons." An authentic chain of narrators stated that Shaqiq said: Once Hudhayfah married a Jewish woman and `Umar wrote to him, "Divorce her." He wrote back, "Do you claim that she is not allowed for me so that I divorce her" He said, "No.
But, I fear that you might marry the whores from among them." Ibn Jarir related that Zayd bin Wahb said that `Umar bin Khattab said, "The Muslim man marries the Christian woman, but the Christian man does not marry the Muslim woman." This Hadith has a stronger, authentic chain of narrators than the previous Hadith. Ibn Abu Hatim said that Ibn `Umar disliked marrying the women from the People of the Scripture.
He relied on his own explanation for the Ayah: وَلاَ تَنْكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَـتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ ( And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators ) till they believe ( worship Allah Alone ).) Al-Bukhari also reported that Ibn `Umar said, "I do not know of a bigger Shirk than her saying that Jesus is her Lord!" Allah said: وَلأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ( And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free ) Mushrikah ( female idolators ), even though she pleases you.) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said:
«تُنْـكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لِأَرْبَعٍ: لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَلِجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ، تَرِبَتْ يَدَاك»
( A woman is chosen for marriage for four reasons: her wealth, social status, beauty, and religion.
So, marry the religious woman, may your hands be filled with sand (a statement of encouragement ).) Muslim reported this Hadith from Jabir.
Muslim also reported that Ibn `Amr said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:
«الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَة»
( The life of this world is but a delight, and the best of the delights of this earthly life is the righteous wife. ) Allah then said: وَلاَ تُنكِحُواْ الْمُشِرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُواْ ( And give not (your daughters ) in marriage to Al-Mushrikin till they believe ( in Allah Alone ).) meaning, do not marry Mushrik men to believing women.
This statement is similar to Allah's statement: لاَ هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ( They are not lawful (wives ) for them, nor are they lawful ( husbands ) for them.) ( 60:10 ) Next, Allah said: وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ( .
..and verily, a believing servant is better than a (free ) Mushrik ( idolator ), even though he pleases you.) This Ayah indicates that a believing man, even an Abyssinian servant, is better than a Mushrik man, even if he was a rich master. أُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ( Those (Al-Mushrikun ) invite you to the Fire) meaning, associating and mingling with the disbelievers makes one love this life and prefer it over the Hereafter, leading to the severest repercussions.
Allah said: وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُواْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ( ...but Allah invites (you ) to Paradise and forgiveness by His leave) meaning, by His Law, commandments and prohibitions.
Allah said: وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَـتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ( ...and makes His Ayat clear to mankind that they may remember. )

(2:221) Do not marry mushrik women unless they believe; a slave woman who believes is better than a free woman who does not believe, even though the latter may appear very attractive to you. (Likewise) do not wed your women to mushrik men unless they believe; a slave man who believes is better than a free man who does not, even though he may be very pleasing to you. These mushrik people invite you to the Fire *237 while Allah by His grace invites you to the Garden and His pardon, and He makes His revelations plain to the people so that they should learn a lesson and follow the admonition.

And do not marry polytheistic women until meaning

*237).
This is the reason for, and the wisdom underlying the injunction mentioned above prohibiting marriage links with polytheists.
Marriage does not consist merely of sexual relations between a man and a woman.
It is a relationship which has deep social, moral and emotional implications.
If established between a believer and a polytheist, this kind of relationship has many possible outcomes.
On the one hand, it is possible that because of the influence of the believing spouse, the other partner, the family and the future generations may become receptive to Islamic beliefs and to the Islamic wav of life.
On the other hand, it is also possible that the spouse who is a polytheist may influence the thinking and mode of living of the believing spouse, the family and the future generations.
Moreover this relationship may promote in that family a hotch-potch of Islam, downright atheism, and polytheism which, however welcome to non-Muslims, is in no way acceptable to Islam.
No true believer can run the risk that either the ideas and life-styles which are organically related to atheism and polytheism may flourish among the members of his family, or that some aspect of his own life may bear the impress of atheism or polytheism.

 

The Prohibition of marrying Mushrik Men and Women Allah prohibited the believers from marrying Mushrik women who worship idols.
Although the meaning is general and includes every Mushrik woman from among the idol worshippers and the People of the Scripture, Allah excluded the People of the Scripture from this ruling.
Allah stated: مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ ( (Lawful to you in marriage ) are chaste women from those who were given the Scripture ( Jews and Christians ) before your time when you have given their due dowry, desiring chastity ( i.e., taking them in legal wedlock ) not committing illegal sexual intercourse.) ( 5:5 ) `Ali bin Abu Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said about what Allah said: وَلاَ تَنْكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَـتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ ( And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators ) till they believe ( worship Allah Alone ).) "Allah has excluded the women of the People of the Scripture." This is also the explanation of Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Makhul, Al-Hasan, Ad-Dahhak, Zayd bin Aslam and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and others.
Some scholars said that the Ayah is exclusively talking about idol worshippers and not the People of the Scripture, and this meaning is similar to the first meaning we mentioned.
Allah knows best. Abu Ja`far bin Jarir ( At-Tabari ) said, after mentioning that there is Ijma` that marrying women from the People of the Scripture is allowed, "`Umar disliked this practice so that the Muslims do not refrain from marrying Muslim women, or for similar reasons." An authentic chain of narrators stated that Shaqiq said: Once Hudhayfah married a Jewish woman and `Umar wrote to him, "Divorce her." He wrote back, "Do you claim that she is not allowed for me so that I divorce her" He said, "No.
But, I fear that you might marry the whores from among them." Ibn Jarir related that Zayd bin Wahb said that `Umar bin Khattab said, "The Muslim man marries the Christian woman, but the Christian man does not marry the Muslim woman." This Hadith has a stronger, authentic chain of narrators than the previous Hadith. Ibn Abu Hatim said that Ibn `Umar disliked marrying the women from the People of the Scripture.
He relied on his own explanation for the Ayah: وَلاَ تَنْكِحُواْ الْمُشْرِكَـتِ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنَّ ( And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (female idolators ) till they believe ( worship Allah Alone ).) Al-Bukhari also reported that Ibn `Umar said, "I do not know of a bigger Shirk than her saying that Jesus is her Lord!" Allah said: وَلأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ( And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free ) Mushrikah ( female idolators ), even though she pleases you.) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: «تُنْـكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ لِأَرْبَعٍ: لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَلِجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ، تَرِبَتْ يَدَاك» ( A woman is chosen for marriage for four reasons: her wealth, social status, beauty, and religion.
So, marry the religious woman, may your hands be filled with sand (a statement of encouragement ).) Muslim reported this Hadith from Jabir.
Muslim also reported that Ibn `Amr said that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said: «الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَة» ( The life of this world is but a delight, and the best of the delights of this earthly life is the righteous wife. ) Allah then said: وَلاَ تُنكِحُواْ الْمُشِرِكِينَ حَتَّى يُؤْمِنُواْ ( And give not (your daughters ) in marriage to Al-Mushrikin till they believe ( in Allah Alone ).) meaning, do not marry Mushrik men to believing women.
This statement is similar to Allah's statement: لاَ هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ( They are not lawful (wives ) for them, nor are they lawful ( husbands ) for them.) ( 60:10 ) Next, Allah said: وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ( .
..and verily, a believing servant is better than a (free ) Mushrik ( idolator ), even though he pleases you.) This Ayah indicates that a believing man, even an Abyssinian servant, is better than a Mushrik man, even if he was a rich master. أُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ( Those (Al-Mushrikun ) invite you to the Fire) meaning, associating and mingling with the disbelievers makes one love this life and prefer it over the Hereafter, leading to the severest repercussions.
Allah said: وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُواْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ( ...but Allah invites (you ) to Paradise and forgiveness by His leave) meaning, by His Law, commandments and prohibitions.
Allah said: وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَـتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ( ...and makes His Ayat clear to mankind that they may remember. )

( Wed not idolatresses ). This was revealed about Marthad Ibn Abi Marthad Al-Ghanawi who wanted to marry an idolatress woman by the name of ’Inaq. Allah prohibited such marriage, saying: do not marry idolatresses women ( till they believe ) in Allah; ( for lo! A believing bondwoman ) marrying a believing slave woman ( is better than an idolatress ) who is a free woman ( though she pleases you ) though you may like her comeliness and beauty; ( and give not your daughters in marriage to idolaters till they believe ) in Allah, ( for lo! A believing slave ) Allah says: giving your daughters in marriage to a believing slave ( is better than an idolater ) is better than your daughter marrying an idolater who is free ( though he pleases you ) though his body and strength may please you. ( These invite unto the Fire ) they invite to disbelief and to works that lead to hell, ( and Allah inviteth unto the Garden ) by means of His divine Oneness, ( and unto forgiveness ) through repentance ( by His grace ) by His leave, ( and He expoundeth thus His revelations ) His commands and prohibitions regarding marriage ( to mankind that they may remember ) so that they may take admonition and refrain from unlawful marriage.

And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (idolatresses, etc.) till they believe (worship Allah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (idolatress, etc.), even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater, etc.), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites (you) to Paradise and Forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to mankind that they may remember.

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