Ma Malakat Emanakum" A Refutation to Brother Ayman;s understanding
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There are two articles posted on Free-minds by brother Ayman regarding Ma malakat emnakum, you may read them here,
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/malakat.htm
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/malak.htmQuran describes a certain category of people consistently with a the term" MA MALAKAT EMNAKUM," which literally means WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND POSSES,
Conventional understanding (regarding these people )has always been that they are SLAVES however Brother ayman says that these people are not slaves, but the ones whom you posses with an oath(i do not understand this oath)
He goes on to make following points
These are females (only).
He thinks that they cannot be servants as different quranic verses use the word IBAD for the servants
He says that they cannot be war captives as quran uses ASRA for war captives,
He tries to fit his understanding of these people in the verses, where ever this term is used, and there it gets all jumbled up and it does not make sense in the verses, and contradictions start to creep up, (you may like to read the articles and make up your own mind)
I did a research on all the relevent verses and have come to the following understanding.
Ma malakat emnakum are , Slaves.
Visualize the term WHAT YOUR RIGHT HAND POSSES" these are the people you posses , own , upon whom you have complete control, you are their Master in every way and quran AUTHORIZES SEX WITH THE FEMALE SLAVES WITH OR WITHOUT LEGAL WEDLOCKTO startwith---- 70-29,30 says very clearly...
And those who guard their Chastity,,, except with their wives(Zoj) and those whom their right hands posses(MME), for thus they are not blameworthyThe verses are self explanatory , God is authorizing a relationship(sexual) what you have with your wives , with MME as well
Brother ayman says that they are only females
i say NO they consist of all kind of people . males females all ages , to prove my point3-55 It is no sin for them (thy wives) to converse freely) with their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or the sons of their sisters or of their own women, or their slaves(ma malakat emnahunna). O women! Keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Witness over all things.
Here women are being told that they may relax in the presence of certain category of people, now note that if MME were only females there was no need to mention their name separately because they would have been the part of THEIR WOMEN(NISAHUNNA)
Brother Ayman says that they cannot be servants as quran uses ibad for servants
I do agree with him , they are not ibad (servants) they are slaves who are not servants , servants are not slaves , dont we have servants who work for us for certain wages and under certain conditions but then these servants are free they may cease to be servants any time they want, and leave, but slaves,,,, dont we know what slaves are/were?
Brother ayman says that these people can not be war captives as quran uses the term Asra" for war captives
i agree , for war captives the quran uses the term Asra" but we must understand that war captives , when officially allotted , become 'MME" and not all war captives become MME , some are freed , returned or exchanged .
I shall inshallah analyse the verses where this term is used , tomorrow in my next post,
peace
sikandar
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Salam
Nice percepetion...not to change the topic, but if your perspective is right, and God allows men to have sex with female slaves, even while being married...then this makes me sick, and why would god allow that? If that is really the truth, and someday inshaallah I will ask god , if I am worthy to meet him, why the truth is, because if this is true, then I will lose some of my faith, because I do not agree. I think men can be pigs,and this is a horrible reason. Oh, they can just have sex with slaves?!! But women cannot? Where is the equality in that?! And why is it neccessary to allow men to have sex with slaves? What is the point?!! Its disgusting....if its true.
Honor
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Salam
Nice percepetion...not to change the topic, but if your perspective is right, and God allows men to have sex with female slaves, even while being married...then this makes me sick, and why would god allow that? If that is really the truth, and someday inshaallah I will ask god , if I am worthy to meet him, why the truth is, because if this is true, then I will lose some of my faith, because I do not agree. I think men can be pigs,and this is a horrible reason. Oh, they can just have sex with slaves?!! But women cannot? Where is the equality in that?! And why is it neccessary to allow men to have sex with slaves? What is the point?!! Its disgusting....if its true.
Honor
this is precisely why Dr Ayman had to dove tail a softend version but sis Quran indeed has its own mechnism to reject the incorrect , i spent good about 50 ,60 hours on studying and verifying. and at the end i was amazed at how well it is protected and how NO FALSEHOOD CAN ENTER IT.
peace
siki -
Salam Siki~
Maybe I am confused, but isnt it you that is saying that the Quran allows men to sleep with slave women?? So, if you believe that and have educated proof, then that is what I am saying...if its really true...I honestly dont know if I can believe in that, which means I may lose my faith. I cannot stand behind my religion if it condones a earthly desire of having sex with women for the sake of having sex!! What is the point and purpose?! What reason would god give men to sleep with poor slave women, as objects and all the while allowing them to be married at the same time, and also not giving that same sick selfish sexual right to women?!!!!
Arggggggg, this topic has made me very mad. Because it makes me feel like us women are just objects to be &&***(()() with at any given time, even to a total stranger who could aquire us during war, what the HELL?!
honor
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Peace All
Bro Siki, what is the hikma or wisdom in allowing for that to happen?
I'm kinda neutral cuz i believe we really don't know much about social order.
So i'm just wondering where you found the wisdom in that
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Salaam Aleikum,
Siki, the idea that the verse says 'sex with your wives AND your slaves' will create a contradiction as you can only have sex with those you are married too. Let Muhammed Asad explain it to you
70(29) and who are mindful of their chastity, 12
(30) with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess - 13 for then, behold, they are free of all blame,
12 Lit., "who guard their private parts". l3 See the identical passage in 235-7, as well as the corresponding note 3, in which I have fully explained the reasons for my rendering of the phrase aw ma malakat aymanuhum as "that is, those whom they rightfully possess ". As regards this interpretation, see al Razi's comments on 424, as well as one of the alternative interpretations of that verse advanced by Tabari on the authority of lbn Abbas and Mujahid.
Let's go to 235-7
(5) and who are mindful of their chastity, (6) with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess
, etc. (Cf. a similar construction 25 62 - for him who has the will to take thought
-that is , has the will to be grateful.)] for then, behold, they are free of all blame, (7) whereas such as seek to go beyond that are truly transgressors; ( 8 ) and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges, (9) and who guard their prayers . (10) It is they, they who shall be the inheritors (2311) that will inherit the paradise; therein shall they abide.
And 424
4 24
And all married women other than those whom you rightfully possess * this is God's ordinance, binding upon you. But lawful to you are all beyond these, for you to seek out, offering them of your possessions,** taking them in honest wedlock, and not in fornication. And unto those with whom you desire to enjoy marriage, you shall give the dowers due to them; but you will incur no sin if, after this lawful due, you freely agree with one another upon anything *** behold, God is indeed all-knowing, wise.*The term muhsanah signifies literally "a woman who is fortified ", and carries three senses (1) "a married woman", (2) "a chaste woman", and (3) "a free woman". According to almost all the authorities, al-muhsanat denotes in the above context "married women". As for the expression ma malakat aymanukum ("those whom your right hands possess", i.e., "those whom you rightfully possess", it is often taken to mean female slaves captured in a war in God's cause (see in this connection 867, and the corresponding note).
The commentators who choose this meaning hold that such slave-girls can be taken in marriage irrespective of whether they have husbands in the country of their origin or not. However, quite apart from the fundamental differences of opinion, even among the Companions of the Prophet, regarding the legality of such a marriage, some of the most outstanding commentators hold the view that ma malakat aymanukum denotes here "women whom you rightfully possess through wedlock"; thus Razi in his commentary on this verse, and Tabari in one of his alternative explanations (going back to Abd Allah ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and others). Razi, in particular, points out that the reference to "all married women" (al-muhsanat min an-nisa’, coming as it does after the enumeration of prohibited degrees of relationship, is meant to stress the prohibition of sexual relations with any woman other than one's lawful wife.
**Lit., "with your possessions" - i.e., offering them, as the Law demands, an appropriate dower.
***Cf. verse 4 of this surah, and the corresponding note.
And to Summarize it
Does the Qur'an permit sex outside marriage with female slaves?
The question arises on the interpretation of the following two verses 424 and 236. Again the problem arise as we take the verses in isolation i.e. without considreing other relevant verses. For example the usual interpretation accepting a positive response to the above question would immediately contradict the following verses 4 3, 25 and 2432, 33. According to these verses sexual relations with any woman is only permitted through wedlock. Typical translations of verses 424 and 236 are as follows
424 And (forbidden to you are) all married women other than those whom you rightfully posses. .
This verse coming after the enumeration of prohibited degrees of relationship in the previous verse i.e.(423) is meant to stress the prohibition of sexual relations with any woman other than ones lawful wife. (see Asad verse 424 note 26). The verse does not say as to whether one can have sex without marriage with these women who are rightfully in their possession. Now looking at other verse
236 Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hand possess, .
Regardind this translation, apart from the contradiction already stated above, the other objection is as follows I quote from note 3 in The Message of the Quran, by Muhammad Asad
.....Nor is this the only objection to the above mentioned interpretation. Since the Quran applies the term believers to men and women alike, and since the term azwaj (spouses), too, denotes both male and female partners in marriage, there is no reason to attributing the phrase ma malakat aymanuhum the meaning of their female slaves; and since, on the other hand, it is out of the question that female and male slaves could have been referred to here, it is obvious that the phrase does not relate to slaves at all, but the same meaning as in 424 -- namely, those whom they rightfully possess through wedlock (see note 26 on 424) -- with the significant difference that in the present context this expression relates to both husbands and wives, who rightfully possess one another by virtue of marriage. On the basis of this interpretation, the particle aw which precedes this clause does not denote an alternative (or’ but is, rather, in the nature of explanatory amplification, more or less analogous to the phrase in other words or that is, thus giving to the whole sentence the meaning. .....save with their spouses -- that is, whom they rightfully possess .... etc.
Thus Asad translates the verse 236 as (not giving way to their desires) with any but their spouses -- that is, those whom they rightfully possess (through wedlock) -- for then, they are free of all blame.
If we now look at the verses 43, 25, and 2432, 33, we see that sex with female slaves is only permitted through wedlock. The translations of these verses according to Asad are as follows
43 And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among (other women) such as are lawful to you 3 -- even two, or three, or four but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then (only) one -- or (from among) those whom you rightfully posses.4 .
425 And as for those of you who, owing to circumstances, are not in a position29 to marry free believing women, (let them marry) believing maidens from among those whom you rightfully possess.30 .
2432 And (you ought to) marry the single from among you42 as well as such of male and female slaves as are fit (for marriage)43
2433 And do not, in order to gain48 some of the fleeting .
The application of these verses with (424) and (236) as well as the additional explanation as given by Asad of verse 236, as stated above, lead to the conclusion that the Quran does not permit sex outside marriage with female slaves or for that matter with anyone.
Note The subscripts refer to additional notes in The Message of the Quran by Muhammad Asad.
So NO sex except with your wife..................
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I think men can be pigs,and this is a horrible reason.
To balance things up and in the interests of equality you would have to admit that just as there are swinish men, there are equally if not more swinish women (more because most populations have an excess of women even if slight).
Oh, they can just have sex with slaves?!! But women cannot? Where is the equality in that?! And why is it neccessary to allow men to have sex with slaves? What is the point?!! Its disgusting....if its true.
Fortunately it isn't true, but I can think of at least a few reasons why it would be advantageous (but not necessary) for the men to have sex with the female slaves. The chief one is population related. Many countries are in population decline and to combat it governors are deciding that the parents must have at least 3 children. One each to replace the mother and father and one extra to boost the numbers. Given that the believing women would almost always have been pregnant or nursing back in those days (and judging by Arabic families in Australia at least not much has changed then it would have been advantageous to get some more wombs in on the action of producing more children.
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Peace Siki and Peace everyone
I believe the term MMA is used in the following verses (Please point out if there are any more). Can any of these explanations be applied to all of these verses without contradiction?
4 3, 4 33, 4 24 ,4 25, 4 36, 1671, 23 5-6
24 31, 24 58, 3028, 3350, 33 55, 70 29-30
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Peace be on you
4 19 Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.
One of the main differences between modern and ancient wars and conflicts is there were no rules of war back then. Islam brought some rules to war situations as we can see in the Quran.
In 1860s Swiss businessman Henry Dunants efforts initiated a movement which started today?s Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC). Most of today?s humanitarian laws and relief efforts connected to conflicts are related to this organization. Modern wars are watched and monitored by outside nations, media and organizations. Even with certain discrepancies and discriminations wars and conflicts are governed by Geneva conventions, Hague conventions etc. There are international rules for Prisoners of War and international pressure against war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, ethnic cleansing, etc.
Nuremberg principles and related war crime tribunals and criminal action against atrocities have been governing wars after the world witnessed the suffering of the civil population during the WW1 and prompted humanitarian relief efforts such as organization for refugees etc.
Even with all this efforts still there are crimes committed on the civilian population even in the recent past such as The Rape of Nan king, The Armenian Genocide, My Lai massacre and the modern day Bangladesh War and Bosnian war etc. Although the efforts are not perfect there is a probability that some one responsible may be convicted for crimes against civilians in a modern conflict whereas in ancient wars such things were not heard of even if the entire civilian population is wiped off and worst atrocities are committed.
In ancient wars it was a case of victor against the vanquished. After the victory almost all men are tortured and put to death or used as slaves in pitiful conditions and the women, some killed others sold as slaves or for prostitution. Cities burned, buildings pulled down wealth plundered women and children raped and killed or sold or used as slaves. It was a case of total brutal destruction
Once a cities defenses fall the helpless and the weak and the old have a choice to runaway in to the wilderness to die of hunger and thirst or to fall prey to other predators or be captured or killed.
The wars conducted by the Messenger of Allah were different. They were to avert the aggression of an enemy and also the war was against the combatants and not the women and children and the weak. But when retaliating in war Quraan instructs to retaliate fiercely against the enemy and drive them out. Once the enemy is defeated and a city or a town falls the women and children are left without provision or protection. Since men are gone trade will stop, agriculture, livestock will be neglected or destroyed, and other means of income and provisions will dwindle; the weak can even die of hunger. Sometimes siege of a city might last for months stocks will diminish and all resources and supply lines will be cut off. Priorities change during war and most of the resources go to meet the war efforts and the needs of the combatants and not needs of the women and children.
When a city falls men are either killed or run away and the women and children remain unprotected. Few men may surrender or will be captured but we are not dealing with that here since war captives are addressed separately in the Quran. If you leave the city intact and march off the enemy can easily regroup use the wealth and resources of the city build the city?s defenses and start all over again .You can not leave the enemies? possessions, wealth and resources and his ties intact it will give him reason and also assist him to start the aggression once more. At the same time you can not leave the women and children in a defenseless city without men since they will be sitting prey for human predators such as bandits or slave traders etc.
The Holy war is to teach a lesson and to send a strong message that although there is no compulsion in Islam and that there is no permission to fight unless under aggression but that the response will be fierce if some one chose to attack first. To serve as a message and drive fear to others who will want to start wars against the prophet and his followers. Also note that Islam leaves room for negotiations, peace initiatives, alliances and treatises.
As I explained above as an aftermath of any war arises a strategic and a humanitarian dilemma. I believe as a solution to this crisis, once the city?s wealth is divided among the fighters, the women and children are assigned to guardians under an oath to protect them look after them and keep them in their houses.(2431) These are addressed as MMA in the Quraan. They live with the person assigned in that person?s house. He or she has to provide for the MMA and give them security. You can not compel the MMA to change their religion and the Quraan identifies the believing among the MMA separately.(425) There is no compulsion for them to convert even though they are disbelievers. But maybe witnessing the good and just conduct and kindness of Muslims by living in their houses and learning their beliefs and practices they may chose to convert.
I believe they can not be from the People of the book since they are identified separately from people of the book. A believer can marry a woman from the People of the book becoming a believer but for MMA becoming a believer is a pre-requisite for marriage with a believer.(425)
They have rights (2433) and the Quraan instructs to give charity and be good (436) to them but it seems they will not get equal status (1671, 302 immediately, maybe till they legally marry a believer and bear children.
They are not definitely slaves but they are part of the house hold (2431). See how they have been addressed with the closest of the house hold in the Quraan.
They can not be seen as war captives, POWs or sex slaves they are a set of people rising out of war because of a strategic and a humanitarian issue. Meanwhile it provides the opportunity to promote Islam among the women and children among the disbelievers since women and children would not have had the opportunity to grasp the early message of Islam but influenced by the beliefs of their men. Once when they are brought in to the fold and treated with kindness they might start to believe. At the same time since they may convert due to advantages they are not treated at the equal level (1671, 302 possibly until they marry and bear children.
A MMA can be a previously married woman whose husbands? whereabouts may not be known after the battle; he maybe killed or run away. If her original husband is living she is technically still married to him since no divorce has taken place. So with a MMA it is not necessary requirement whether she is still technically married to someone else. (424) It is not easy to trace people in ancient times when they are MIA.
A person who takes over a MMA may be allowed to have sex with her without compulsion and force and with her consent. (419, 2433) Since the verses above or any verse in the Quran does not promote casual sex and even MMA is governed by rules (2433) where she has to stay faithful to the person she is assigned to/guardian . If they are sex slaves there should be no reason for them to seek permission before entering a room at times of undress. (245
Even if MMA is to get married to someone else it has to be with the permission of the person/guardian who MMA has been assigned to (425). When we read the Quraan we can see clearly Islam promotes decency and forbids shameful acts and mischief. And cannot victimize someone for a crime they may not be directly or fully responsible. If someone has sex with another without the consent it is rape and Islam does not permit that. At the same time the punishment is half (425) if a MMA commit zina in line with their fragile status and beliefs. Also the verses suggest it is easier to get married to MMA since the payment of dowers maybe less than to a free believing woman. (425)
The Quraan could have easily used the word war captives, prisoners of war or even slaves (or as some like it, Sex slaves) but they are described as "your right hand posses or under oath?, with reason. I believe that shows that they are not any of the above but a special set of people on whom Allah assigns a special set of rules which protects them and at the same time controls them.
According to my opinion I doubt whether many holy wars were fought 25-30 years after the Messenger. The corrupted thinking, fabrication and greed for power, wealth and territory led to many wars and the distortion of the term Ma Malakat Aymanakum as war captives or slaves lead to capture , imprisonment , rape and led to harems with many women, common among the later rulers.
But judging by the difficulty of understanding the term and the term itself shows it is not something applicable out side the holy wars and not in future conflicts.
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Salam All
Here is another view on this subject happy reading.....
Ma Malakat Aymanukum
The Right Hands Possess.
Much can be read from books and the Internet regarding its definition of WHO is being possessed. Some give its translations as SLAVES/SERVANTS ? PRISONERS/CAPTIVES ? DIVORCEES ? WIDOWS, yet others even go to the extent by translating it as WOMEN SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY, thus exploiting their financial situations and giving themselves automatic rights in tyrannizing the poor in exchange for their sexual cravings. These men will declare all their misguided understandings, camouflaged in their personal translations of the words of The God. They have legalized prostitution. Are all these relevant and consistent to the laws of The Reading?
279
279 So grief/distress/woe (E) to those who write The Book with their hands then they say "That (it is) from The God." To buy/volunteer with it a small price, so grief/distress/woe (E) to them from what their hands wrote, and grief/distress/woe (E) to them from what they gather/acquire.
378
378 And that from them (is) a group (E) (who) twist/turn/distort (misconstruct with) their tongues with The Book, so that you think/suppose it (is) from The Book, and it is not from The Book, and they say "It (is) from The God". And it is not from The God, and they say on The God the lie/falsehood and they are knowing.
Lets take a look at the usage of words by The God in The Reading. We will find that The God had explicitly used words with intent. We will find that there are related incidences that give clues to further understand The Reading. We should apply a rational approach to its meanings and understandings and let The Reading explain itself.SLAVES/ SERVANTS
Can a person take advantage of slaves/servants? In verse 1230, there is a clear example whereby The God sites those taking advantage of their slaves/servants as misguided.
1230
1230 And women in the city/town said "Elaziz/the Egyptian ruler's woman (wife) seduces/entices youth/slave/servant from himself, he had affected her deeply/deeply impassioned her lovingly, that we see/understand her (E) in evident misguidance."
In 2432, the emphasis is to MARRY.
2432 And marry the widows/widowers from you, and the correct/righteous from your slaves/servants and your owned (F) slaves, if they be poor/needy God enriches/suffices them from His grace/favor/blessing, and God (is) rich/spread, knowledgeable.
Does the laws of The God promote slavery (One bound in servitude as the property of a person or household). No! The concept of any civilized society is to abolish slaves. We are the servants of the God (Creator) but never a slave of another being (Creation). The Reading gives directives to liberate slavery, either by expiation or by other means. Verses 492, 589, 583. Ma Malakat Aymanukum cannot be a slave.
379
379 It is not for any human to whom The God has given the Book, and wisdom and Prophet hood to say to the people ?Be my servants rather than The God,? but (on the contrary) he would say, ?Be pious scholars of The Lord because you have been teaching the book and you have been studying it.?
PRISONERS/ CAPTIVES/CRIMINALS
In all wars, crimes etc, it is inevitable that people are detained and brought to justice (Prisoners/Captives/Criminals). Is war encouraged? No! Normal ethics remains towards managing them, especially so in dealing with humans. We are held responsible for what we do. We are told to be kind. We are not to oppress. They will go through legal proceedings and what is judged/sentenced/convicted on them. We are to forgive. Ma Malakat Aymanukum cannot be a prisoner/captive or ex-convict.
1693
1693 And if The God wanted/willed He would have made/created you one nation/generation, and but He misguides whom He wills/wants, and He guides whom He wills/wants, and you will be asked/questioned (E) about what you were making/doing.
768
768 And they feed the food on (in spite of) its love/like (to it) a poorest of poor/poor oppressed and an orphan, and a captive/prisoner.
513
513 So because (of) what their breaking/breaching their promise/covenant, We cursed them and We made their hearts cruel/merciless, they alter/distort the words/expressions from its places, and they forgot (a) fortune (share) from what they were reminded with it, and do you not still/continue to know/see on a betrayal/unfaithfulness from them, except (a) few from them, so forgive/pardon on them and forgive/pardon, that The God loves/likes the good doers.
Divorcees
The God permits divorce. However this is structured in a manner whereby divorced women are financially taken care off. They are entitled to receive alimonies such that they will not be left financially drained eliminating the possibility of them soliciting themselves. This might be the case when they are pressured to meet basic daily needs for themselves and their children, in such cases where custody is given to them. Bottom line, they receive financial help to be independent and supportive of their daily needs. They do not need to be possessed and be exploited sexually. Ma Malakat Aymanukum cannot be a divorcee.
2241
2241 And for the divorcees (F) alimony with the kindness/generosity deservedly/rightfully on the fearing and obeying (The God).
2233
2233 And the mothers breast feed their children two years complete, to who wanted/intended that (to) complete the lactation/breast feeding period, and on the born to him/father, (is the responsibility of) their provision (F) and their dressing/clothing (F) with the kindness/generosity, (that) no self be burdened/imposed upon except its endurance/capacity, no mother (is) to be harmed with her child, and nor a born to him/father (be harmed) with his child. And on the heir/inheritance similar/equal (to) that, so if they (B) wanted separation (weaning) on acceptance/approval from them (B), and discussion/consultation, so no offense/guilt/sin on them (B), and if you willed/wanted that to seek a wet nurse/breast feeder (for) your children, so no offense/guilt/sin on you if you handed/delivered over what you gave with the kindness/generosity, and fear and obey The God, and know that The God (is) with what you make/do seeing/knowing/understanding.
Widows
This group of women did not choose to be in this situation. They go through emotional sufferings in the demise of a loved one and to a larger extent; they loose a pillar of strength, especially so where cases of husbands being the main source of financial support to the family is suddenly severed. The God had instituted provisions for them in the distribution of wealth. In addition to this, it is also encourage to believers in saving and setting aside a year?s provision for their widows in cases of death. They will not be in immediate financial strain thus avoiding a remarriage for support and creating ample time for selective choices. This also allows them to assimilate and adapt to current working requirements. Ma Malakat Aymanukum cannot be a widow.
434
434 The men (are) taking care of matters for livelihood on (for) the women with what The God preferred/favored some of them (men and women) on some, and with what they spent from their (M) properties/possession, so the correct/righteous females are obeying humbly, protecting/safekeeping to the invisible with what The God protected; and those whom (F) you fear their (F) quarrel (disobedience), so advise/warn them (F) and desert/abandon them (F) in the place of lying down (beds), and ignore/disregard/push them (F), so if they obeyed you, so do not oppress/transgress on them (F) a way/method, that God was/is high, mighty/great.
2240
2240 And those who are made to die from you, and they leave spouses/wives, a bequest to their spouses/wives, alimony/enjoyment to the year without/not bringing out/forcing out, so if they (F) got out, so no offense/guilt/sin on you, in what they made/did in themselves (F) from kindness/known/goodness, and The God (is) glorious/mighty, wise/judicious.
All the above categories of people do not qualify to be possessed and I am sure they don?t want to be possessed by any individual. They may require charitable help but they definitely do not need to be possessed and oppressed.
2215
2215 They ask/question you what (should) they spend, say "What you spend from goodness/wealth, so to the parents, and the nearest/closest, and the orphans, and the poorest of poor/poor oppressed, and the traveler/stranded traveler, and what you make/do from goodness, so then God (is) with it knowledgeable."
I do not see a situation where any of them being in dire straits indicating a need for a caretaker to manage their affairs, let alone being sexually abused. They are born with liberty. They will die with liberty. They should not be compelled to assist misguided men into despicable acts.
419
419 You, you those who believed, (it) is not permitted/allowed for you that you (P) inherit the women compellingly/forcefully, and do not limit/confine/oppress them (F) to go/take away with some (of) what you gave them (F), except that they (F) come/do/commit with an enormous/atrocious deed evident, and mix/associate/befriend them (F) with the kindness, so if you (P) hated them (F), so maybe/perhaps that you hate a thing and God makes in it much good.
Now lets take a look at what the right hands possess means. Who are these people categorized as possessed? We will now take a closer look at verses that gives clues.
First of all, The God does not in any way permit fornication or adultery. The laws of The God are consistent and will not change since the introduction of The Reading. It is here to stay and non-are authorized to introduce changes. Having the opinion that The God gives accommodation (a one off special clearance for sex) to this specific category of people will automatically make us misguided people. See verse 1230. Lets refrain from this perception.
There is a verse that allows us to marry married women but this comes with conditions. They are the initiator; they should be investigated in their beliefs, saving them from the unbelievers, returning the amount of dowries given to them, only then is marriage allowed. Not returning them to the unbelievers prevents them from going through their divorce system. The returning of their dowries nullifies their existing marriage. A new marriage is still involved. The same laws apply.
6010
6010 You, you those who believed, if the believing females came to you emigrating, so test/examine them (F), The God (is) more knowing with their faith/belief, so if you knew them (F) (to be) believers (F), so do not return them to the disbelievers, they (F) are not permitted/allowed for them, and nor they (the disbelievers) be permitted/allowed for them (F), and give them what they spent, and (there is) no offense/sin that (E) you marry them (F) if you gave them (F) their rewards (dowries), and do not hold fast/grasp/seize with the (insisting) disbelievers' ties/bonds (discontinue marriage to disbelieving women), and ask (for) what you spent, and they should ask (for) what they spent, that (is) The God's judgment/rule, He judges/rules between you, and God (is) knowledgeable, wise/judicious.
Verse 424 tell us that they become lawful only when married and given dowries, an obligation, with conditions of intent in being chaste other than seeking lust.
424
424 And the married from the women except what your rights owned/possessed, The God's decree/judgment on you, and became/is permitted/allowed for you, what (is) behind that, that you ask/desire with your (P) wealth, marrying not fornicating/adulterating, so what you enjoyed with it, from them (F), so give them (F) their (F) rewards/fees (dowries) a duty/command/stipulation, and no offense/guilt on you in what you (P) mutually agreed with it, from after the duty/command/stipulation, that The God was/is knowledgeable, wise/judicious.
Verse 425 further states the seeking of permission by their family. They may be staying with a caretaker but ultimately their families are the ones consenting their marriage.
425
425 And who is not able, from you wealth/capability (means) that he marries the chaste, the believing (F) (free women), so from what your rights owned from your youths (girls) the believers (F), and The God (is) more knowing with your (P) faith/belief, some of you (are) from some, so marry them (F), with their families'/relations'/(masters' permission, and give them (F) their rewards/fees (dowries) with the kindness marrying, not fornicating/adulterating, and not taking (P/F) lovers/secret friends, so if they (F) married, so if they committed with an enormous deed/atrocious deed/adultery, so on them (F) half what (is) on the chaste/married (woman) from the torture, that (is) to who feared the exertion/corruption from you, and (to) be patient (is) better for you, and The God (is) forgiving, merciful.
Verse 3028 inform us that this group of people are partners to the provisions that The God had provided. This indicates the people whom The God gave generous provisions should be the caretaker for this category of people. People who have more than enough to provide for the needs of parents, relatives, orphans, needy, neighbors and companions.
3028
3028 He gave for you an example/proverb from your selves, are (there) for you from what your right (hands) owned/possessed from partners in what We provided for you (are they equal partners in your wealth)? So you are (all) in it equal/alike? You fear them as you are fearing yourselves, (if you do not accept this for yourselves how could you make equal partners to The God)? Like that We detail/explain the verses/evidences/signs to a nation reasoning/comprehending.
1671
1671 And The God preferred/favoured some of you over some in the provision, so those who were preferred/favoured are not with returning their provision on (to) what their rights/oaths owned/possessed, so they are in it equal/alike. So are they with The Gods' blessing/goodness disbelieving and denying?
3037
3037 Do they not see/understand that The God spreads/extends the provision to whom He wills/wants, and He is capable/able? That in that (are) evidences/signs (E) a nation believing.
874
874 And those who believed and emigrated and struggled/exerted in The God's sake/way, and those who sheltered/gave refuge and saved/gave victory/aided, those, they are the believers truly/certainly, for them (is) a forgiveness and a generous/gracious provision.
They become guardians to these people, bringing them into their homes. Looking into their daily needs such as food, clothing, medication, education etc. Allowing interaction with their children with the same governing rules of The Reading. See verse 2458-59. Elevating them to the status comparable as one of the family. When it comes a time whereby a proposal of marriage is desired to them and you see goodness in the relation, marry them off.
45
45 And do not give the ignorant/foolish your properties, which God made for you keeping/taking care of (maintenance), and provide for them in it and dress/clothe them and say to them a kind/good/known saying.
2458
2458 You, you those who believed, those who your rights (hands) owned/possessed (i.e. care-givers under contract), and those who did not reach the puberty/sexual maturity from you should ask for your permission three times, from before the dawn's oath of allegiance, and when you put your clothes/garments (on) from the noon/midday, and from after the evening/first darkness oath of allegiance, three shameful genital parts (protective times are) for you, an offense/sin is not on you, and nor on them after them (the three times) circling/walking around on you, some of you to some, as/like that God clarifies/shows/explains for you the verses/evidences, and The God (is) knowledgeable, wise/judicious.
2459
2459 And if the children from you reached the puberty/sexual maturity so they should ask for permission/pardon, as/like those from before them asked for permission/pardon, as/like that God clarifies/shows/explains for you His verses/evidences, and God (is) knowledgeable, wise/judicious.
2433
2433 And those who do not find marriage should refrain/be chaste until The God enriches/suffices them from His grace/favor/blessing, and those who ask/wish/desire the destiny/fate/term? (marriage) from what your rights owned/possessed, so write with them (marry them), if you knew goodness in them, and give/bring them from The God's property/possession/wealth which He gave you, and do not compel/force your young women/(F) youths on (to) the prostitution, if they (F) wanted/intended chastity, to desire the life the present's/worldly life's vanities/non-essentials, and who compels/forces them (F), so then God (is) from after their having been compelled/forced, forgiving, merciful.
Verse 436 compels us to do good to this category of people. However, a look at the sentence structure indicates that they are at the lower end of precedence.
Parents ? Relatives ? Orphans ? Needy (Poor) ? Neighbor (Near) ? Neighbor (Distant) ? Companion than only whom your right hands possess.436
436 And serve The God and do not share/make partners with Him a thing, and with the parents a goodness, and with of the relatives, and the orphans, and the poorest of poor/poor oppressed, and the neighbor of the relations/near, and the neighbor the distant/foreign, and the companion/friend with the side (close), and the traveler/stranded traveler, and what your rights owned; that The God does not love/like who was/is a conceited/arrogant, proud/arrogant.
Why are they less prioritized than others? If we go back to verse 425, we will see that The God had ordained half the required punishment for this category of people as compared to the rest. They are given preferential treatment. They cannot be slaves, prisoners, divorcees or widows; these don?t get half the punishment. Is it because they are less fortunate than normal people as in special (mentally challenged) people? They are always placed as optional choices in marriage (425). In 45 we are not to give properties to the ignorant/foolish but to be kind and provide them their daily necessities. In 424 they are the exception for married women simply because they would never understand whether they are married or divorced -in this case they are free from blame (236), only their families or guardians who authorized their marriage (425) would know of their marital status. Those left in the lurch by irresponsible men unknown to their families or guardians are the exceptions. The God allows them to be remarried although they are married, which we, humans are not aware of.
Based on the above verses, I would say that Ma Malakat Aymanukum refers to people who are mentally challenged (retarded/autistic/low IQ etc). They loose out from the provisions of The God but they are reimbursed from The God through the responsibilities of the rich believers - caretakers.
433
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sorry here is the continuation of the subject,
Based on the above verses, I would say that Ma Malakat Aymanukum refers to people who are mentally challenged (retarded/autistic/low IQ etc). They loose out from the provisions of The God but they are reimbursed from The God through the responsibilities of the rich believers - caretakers.
433
433 And to each We made guardians/relatives (heirs) from what the parents and the nearest/relations left, and those who your oaths (had) determined/intended (you made a contract with), so give them their share, that The God was/is on every thing a witness/present.
236
236 Except on (to) their spouses or what their rights/oaths owned/possessed (i.e. caregivers under contract), so they truly are not blameworthy/blamed.
Yes there are situations where The God?s laws seems indicative of being manipulated by opportunist who would swamp in to gain personnel pursuits.
259
259 Those who caused injustice/oppression, so (they) exchanged/replaced a saying other than what was said to them, so We descended on those who caused injustice/oppression, filth/torture from the sky/space with what they were debauching.
Then again, The Reading is a Reminder to those who desire to believe, to those who fear The God and the promised ?Day of Order?. If men chose to delve in shrewd misguided agendas, they have only themselves to blame.
Bro Sirius
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Salaam all
I agree with Warner in that any meaning for MME should be applicable to all the verses where mme is mentioned.
In doing so, we should take into consideration that MME apply to both genders, and that they are mentioned as an alternative to a spouse (azwajukum or MME), except when addressing the prophet, we have (azwajuka wa mmE).
I like the analysis of zakaria in that they are a special category, but the (mentally retarded, low IQ ...) do not apply to at least three verses, specially the one about their punishment in case of adultry (half that of mu7saneen). They shold not be punished at all!!
Another point is that the meaning of MME will shed the light on the meaning of mu7saneen, and it is in opposition of it. Can we say, in at least one verse, that m7saneen means (those of high IQ)?
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Peace Samia
Thanks for the analysis.
Samia In doing so, we should take into consideration that MME apply to both genders, and that they are mentioned as an alternative to a spouse (azwajukum or MME), except when addressing the prophet, we have (azwajuka wa mmE).
I did not understand the above point clearly. The verse 3350 says ?azwa_jihim wa ma_ malakat aima_nuhum? in relation to the believers as well.
33 50
Yusuf Ali O prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts who migrated (from Mecca) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her this only for thee and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the (captives)whom their right hands possess in order that there should be no difficulty for Thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.Ya_ ay yuhan nabiy yu in na_ ahlalna_ laka azwa_jakal la_til uju_rahun na wa ma_ malakat yaminuka mim ma_ afa_ al la_hu alaika wa bana_ti am mika wa bana_ti am ma_tika wa bana_ti ha-lika wa bana_ti ha_la_tikal la_ti ha_jarna ma'ak wamra atam muminatan iw wahabat nafsaha_ lin nabiy yi in ara_dan nabiy yu ay yastankihaha_ ha_lishatal laka min du_nil muminin qad alimna_ ma_ faradna_ alaihim fi azwa_jihim wa ma_ malakat aima_nuhum likaila_ yaku_na alaika haraj wa ka_nal la_hu gafu_rur rahima_
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Peace Siki,
There are two articles posted on Free-minds by brother Ayman regarding Ma malakat emnakum, you may read them here,
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/malakat.htm
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/malak.htmOnly the second article was written by me (and my wife).
Before we start going down the path of looking at your theory of "ma malkat aymanukum" that you think may be slaves, tell us how we would get those "slaves" in the first place according to the great reading? Is enslaving people tolerated by the god? Is it what peaceful people do?
Peace,
Ayman
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Salaam Warner
Thanks for bringing this verse.
It tells of the permitted kind of matrimonoial relations for the believers. If it says "or". it will be misunderstood that only one kind of relations is permitted, whereas they are both permitted, subject to the case of the believer who will get "either or".
The following verse (3351) may explain what a MME is (in the case of the prophet, at least) turji man tashaa'u minhunna wa ta'wi ilaika man tashaa' . "You can postpone whom you will of them and receive whom you will". I understand "postpone" as for those who do not desire an intimate relation temporarily or permanently. That's my understanding of MME
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Peace People.
The below exegesis by Parwez makes sense to me
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Concubines
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Our people do not stop at four wives only. They extend it further. According to our customary religion, besides four wives, a Muslim man can keep innumerable concubines and whenever he wants, he can sell them to someone else. These matters are completely repugnant to The Quran.
According to The Quran neither a man nor a woman is to be enslaved. To The Quran every human being is to be respected (1770).
- At the advent of Islam, like in the rest of the world, slavery was prevalent among Arabs, too. Prisoners of war were turned into slaves by them. When they embraced Islam, they already had such slaves and concubines in their homes. If Islam had ordered them all out, then there would have been chaos in the society. Hence such laws were established by which they were gradually either free or made part of the family.
Whatever laws The Quran contains about slaves, are intended for these slaves who were already present in society. "Ma Malakat Aimanukum" means those who are already in your possession. This is stated in the past tense, meaning something that has been done before.
All the above concerned slaves and counbines who were already present in the society. For the future, The Quran completely closed the door on slavery. This was how it was done. For prisoners of war, the order was quite clear. The Quran says that after over powering them either be gracious to them and let them go, or else take ransom and let them free (474).
After this order, the presence of slaves in homes has been completely ruled out. Therefore, the keep of concubines in homes is going blatantly against The Quran.
http//www.tolueislam.com/Parwez/tkn/TK_II.htm (scroll down)
Nadeem
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Peace Samia
Do you see any connection between the aFa / bestow/ bestowed upon in 841 and in 3350. ? wa ma_ malakat yaminuka mim ma_ afa_ al la_hu alaika?
8 41
Pickthall And know that whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsmen (who hath need) and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer; if ye believe in Allah and that which We revealed unto Our slave on the Day of Discrimination, the day when the two armies met. And Allah is Able to do all things.Wa'lamu_ annama_ ganimtum min syai'in fa anna lilla_hi khumusahu_ wa lir rasu_li wa lizil qurba_ wal yata_ma_ wal masa_kini wabnis sabili in kuntum a_mantum billa_hi wa ma_ anzalna_ 'ala_ 'abdina_ yaumal furqa_ni yaumal taqal jam'a_n(i), walla_hu 'ala_ kulli syai'in qadir(un).
3350
Pickthall O Prophet! Lo! We have made lawful unto thee thy wives unto whom thou hast paid their dowries, and those whom thy right hand possesseth of those whom Allah hath given thee as spoils of war, and the daughters of thine uncle on the father's side and the daughters of thine aunts on the father's side, and the daughters of thine uncles on the mother's side emigrated with thee, and a believing woman if she give herself unto the Prophet and the Prophet desire to ask her in marriage, a privilege for thee only, not for the (rest of) believers. We are aware of that which We enjoined upon them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess that thou mayst be free from blame, for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.Ya_ ay yuhan nabiy yu in na_ ahlalna_ laka azwa_jakal la_til uju_rahun na wa ma_ malakat yaminuka mim ma_ afa_ al la_hu alaika wa bana_ti am mika wa bana_ti am ma_tika wa bana_ti ha-lika wa bana_ti ha_la_tikal la_ti ha_jarna ma'ak wamra atam muminatan iw wahabat nafsaha_ lin nabiy yi in ara_dan nabiy yu ay yastankihaha_ ha_lishatal laka min du_nil muminin qad alimna_ ma_ faradna_ alaihim fi azwa_jihim wa ma_ malakat aima_nuhum likaila_ yaku_na alaika haraj wa ka_nal la_hu gafu_rur rahima_
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70-29,30 And those who guard their private parts ,,Except in the case of their wives(zoj) or those whom their right hands possess (Ma Malakat emnakum)-- for these surely are not to be blamed
23-5,6 And who guard their private parts,,Except before their mates(Zoouj) or those whom their right hands possess(Ma Malakat emankum, for they surely are not blameable
with such precise commandments permitting sexual relation with a specie other than your Zoouj, the only other option that comes to my mind
This specie" MA Malakat Emnakum" were Aliens who once lived in Jupiter's moon EUROPA,due to some decease their males could not impregnate the females, some of these females arrived on earth during 7th century AD in Arabian continent. Almighty allowed sex temporally with these alien females so that they could go back and continue with reproduction till their Males became healthy. some of them were kidnapped and married by Homo sapians and they stayed back, I wonder where they are ?
peacesikandar