←Prev   Ayah an-Nisa` (Women) 4:19   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
O YOU who have attained to faith! It is not lawful for you to [try to] become heirs to your wives [by holding onto them] against their will; and neither shall you keep them under constraint with a view to taking away anything of what you may have given them, unless it be that they have become guilty, in an obvious manner, of immoral conduct. And consort with your wives in a goodly manner; for if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
O believers! It is not permissible for you to inherit women against their will or mistreat them to make them return some of the dowry ˹as a ransom for divorce˺—unless they are found guilty of adultery. Treat them fairly. If you happen to dislike them, you may hate something which Allah turns into a great blessing.
Safi Kaskas   
Believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor should you treat them harshly in the hopes of re-gaining some of the bridal-gift you gave them, unless they are obviously guilty of promiscuity. Live with your wives in a way that is fair and kind. If you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something which God has made a source of abundant grace.

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا یَحِلُّ لَكُمۡ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَاۤءَ كَرۡهࣰاۖ وَلَا تَعۡضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذۡهَبُوا۟ بِبَعۡضِ مَاۤ ءَاتَیۡتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّاۤ أَن یَأۡتِینَ بِفَـٰحِشَةࣲ مُّبَیِّنَةࣲۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۚ فَإِن كَرِهۡتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰۤ أَن تَكۡرَهُوا۟ شَیۡءࣰا وَیَجۡعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِیهِ خَیۡرࣰا كَثِیرࣰا ۝١٩
Transliteration (2021)   
yāayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā yaḥillu lakum an tarithū l-nisāa karhan walā taʿḍulūhunna litadhhabū bibaʿḍi mā ātaytumūhunna illā an yatīna bifāḥishatin mubayyinatin waʿāshirūhunna bil-maʿrūfi fa-in karih'tumūhunna faʿasā an takrahū shayan wayajʿala l-lahu fīhi khayran kathīra
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
O you who believe[d]! Not (is) lawful for you that you inherit the women (by) force. And not you constraint them so that you may take a part (of) what you have given them except that they commit immorality open. And live with them in kindness. But if you dislike them, then perhaps that you dislike a thing and has placed Allah in it good much.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
O YOU who have attained to faith! It is not lawful for you to [try to] become heirs to your wives [by holding onto them] against their will; and neither shall you keep them under constraint with a view to taking away anything of what you may have given them, unless it be that they have become guilty, in an obvious manner, of immoral conduct. And consort with your wives in a goodly manner; for if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good
M. M. Pickthall   
O ye who believe! It is not lawful for you forcibly to inherit the women (of your deceased kinsmen), nor (that) ye should put constraint upon them that ye may take away a part of that which ye have given them, unless they be guilty of flagrant lewdness. But consort with them in kindness, for if ye hate them it may happen that ye hate a thing wherein Allah hath placed much good
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
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
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
O believers! It is not permissible for you to inherit women against their will or mistreat them to make them return some of the dowry ˹as a ransom for divorce˺—unless they are found guilty of adultery. Treat them fairly. If you happen to dislike them, you may hate something which Allah turns into a great blessing.
Safi Kaskas   
Believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor should you treat them harshly in the hopes of re-gaining some of the bridal-gift you gave them, unless they are obviously guilty of promiscuity. Live with your wives in a way that is fair and kind. If you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something which God has made a source of abundant grace.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor should you detain them wrongfully, so that you may take away a part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of something clearly outrageous. Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind; if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike something which God might make a source of abundant good
Shakir   
O you who believe! it is not lawful for you that you should take women as heritage against (their) will, and do not straiten them in order that you may take part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of manifest indecency, and treat them kindly; then if you hate them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
O those who believed! It is not lawful for you that you inherit women unwillingly, and place not difficulties for them (f) so that you take away some of what you gave them (f), unless they approach a manifest indecency. And live as one who is honorable with them (f). Then, if you disliked them (f) perhaps you dislike something in which God makes much good.
T.B.Irving   
You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit anything from women against their will; do not hinder them from remarrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, unless they indulge in flagrant sexual misconduct. Treat them politely; even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which God has placed much good.
Abdul Hye   
O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women by force and you don’t put constrains upon them, that you take away a part of (dowry) you have given them, unless they commit open lewdness (illegal sexual intercourse), and live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah has placed in it much good.
The Study Quran   
O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women through coercion, nor to prevent them from marrying [again], that you may take away some of what you have given them, unless they commit a flagrant indecency. And consort with them in a kind and honorable way; for if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing in which God has placed much good
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
O you who believe, it’s not lawful for you to inherit women against their will. Nor should you coerce them to return anything you’ve given them—unless they commit a clear indecent act. Live with them in kindness. If you dislike them, you may dislike something in which God has placed much good.
Talal Itani (2012)   
O you who believe! It is not permitted for you to inherit women against their will. And do not coerce them in order to take away some of what you had given them, unless they commit a proven adultery. And live with them in kindness. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike something in which God has placed much good
Dr. Kamal Omar   
O you who have Believed! It does not become permissible to you that you may inherit women compelling them (to submit). And do not harass them so that you may have your way tahead of state some of that which you have delivered to these women (as their bridal money and any additional gifts or presents) except that they may come in evident lewdness. And live with them in a desirable way. Then if you feel disinclination towards them — then it may be that you feel disinclination to something, while Allah places in that extreme good
M. Farook Malik   
O believers! It is not lawful for you consider women as a part of your inheritance and retain them against their will in order that you may force them to give up a part of the dowry you have given them, unless they are guilty of proven fornication. Treat them with kindness even if you dislike them; it is quite possible that you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will; (Literally: through compulsion) neither pose problems for them that you may go away with some (part) of what you have brought them except when they come up with a (demonstrably) evident obscenity. And consort with them with beneficence; so in case you hate them, then it is possible you may hate something, and Allah sets in it much charity (i.e. benefit)
Muhammad Sarwar   
Believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will as part of the legacy. Do not create difficulties for your wives in order to force them to give-up part of what you had given to them to set themselves free from the bond of marriage, unless they have clearly committed adultery. Always treat them reasonably. If you dislike them, you could be disliking that which God has filled with abundant good
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
O you who believe, it is not lawful for you that you should forcibly take women as inheritance. Do not hold on to them so that you may take away some of what you have given them, unless they commit a clearly shameful act. Live with them in the recognized manner. If you dislike them, then it is quite likely that you dislike something and Allah has placed a lot of good in it
Shabbir Ahmed   
O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! It is not lawful for you to force women into marrying or holding on to them in marriage against their will. Pressuring women to remain in wedlock by threatening to take away the marital gift is forbidden. A wife could forfeit the right to the marital gift only if she has indulged in clear lewdness. You shall treat your wives nicely. Even if you dislike them, it may happen that Allah has placed much good in what you have failed to realize
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Oh you who believe! It is not (proper and) lawful for you to inherit from a woman against her will. Nor (is it proper or lawful) to take back anything you gave her (as a gift) _ unless she commits an openly lewd and salacious act (an extra marital sexual act). Associate with her in an honorable manner. You may dislike her. Yet, it is possible that you may dislike something, though Allah may have placed in it a great deal of good
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given to them— Except where they have been guilty of open illicit sexual deeds (lustfulness); On the contrary live with them on a basis of kindness and justice. If you take a dislike to them it may be that you dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
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
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit the women by force, nor that you become harsh with them to take away some of what you have given them, unless they commit a clear lewdness. And live with them in kindness. If you dislike them, then perhaps you may dislike something and God makes in it much good
Abdel Haleem   
You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor should you treat your wives harshly, hoping to take back some of the bride-gift you gave them, unless they are guilty of something clearly outrageous. Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind: if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something in which God has put much good
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
O Ye who believe! it is not allowed unto you that ye may heir the women forcibly; nor shut them up that ye may take away from them part of that which ye had given them, except when they be guilty of manifest enormity. And live with them reputably if ye detest them, belike ye detest a thing and yet Allah hath placed therein abundant good
Ahmed Ali   
O believers, you are not allowed to take perforce the women (of dead relatives) into your heritage, or tyrannise over them in order to deprive them of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of open adultery. Live with them with tolerance and justice even if you do not care for them. For it may well be you may not like a thing, yet God may have endued it with much goodness
Aisha Bewley   
You who have iman! it is not halal for you to inherit women by force. Nor may you treat them harshly so that you can make off with part of what you have given them, unless they commit an act of flagrant indecency. Live together with them correctly and courteously. If you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a lot of good.
Ali Ünal   
O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to become inheritors, against their will, of women (of your deceased kinsmen, marrying them against their will, without paying their bridal-due, or forcing them to marry others in return for their bridal-due as though they were a part of heritable property); nor should you constrain your wives in order to take away anything of what you have given them (as bridal-due or bridal gift), unless they be guilty of indecency in an obvious manner (such as to justify divorce). Consort with them in a good manner, for if you are not pleased with them, it may well be that you dislike something but God has set in it much good
Ali Quli Qara'i   
O you who have faith! It is not lawful for you to inherit women forcibly, and do not press them to take away part of what you have given them, unless they commit a gross indecency. Consort with them in an honourable manner; and should you dislike them, maybe you dislike something while Allah invests it with an abundant good
Hamid S. Aziz   
O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will; nor to restrain them so that you may take away part of what you gave them, unless they commit flagrant lewdness; but associate with them with kindness and equity, for if you
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women (or from women) unwillingly, and you should not make it difficult for them so that you take back part of what you gave them unless they commit an obvious indecency. And treat them nicely. And if you dislike them, then perhaps you dislike something while God has put a lot of good in it.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
O you who believe, you are forbidden to marry women against their will, nor should you treat them with harshness by taking away part of the dowry you have given them, except when they have been guilty of open lewdness. Instead, live with them in kindness. If you take a disliking to them, it may be that you dislike something with which God brings a great deal of good
Musharraf Hussain   
Believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor to prevent them from marrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, that is unless they have committed a clear act of gross indecency. Live with them in a good way. If you hate them, it may be that you hate something in which Allah has placed much goodness
Maududi   
Believers! It is not lawful for you to become heirs to women against their will. It is not lawful that you should put constraint upon them that you may take away anything of what you have given them; (you may not put constraint upon them) unless they are guilty of brazenly immoral conduct. Live with your wives in a good manner. If you dislike them in any manner, it may be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good for you
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit from the women by force. And do not make difficulty for them so that you may take away some of what you have given them, unless they commit a clear lewdness. And live with them in kindness. If you dislike them, then perhaps you dislike something while God makes in it much good.
Mohammad Shafi   
O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will.h And persecute them not in order to usurp some of the things you have given them, unless they commit something manifestly obscene. And live with them properly. And if you dislike them, it may so be that you dislike a thing while Allah has kept therein immense good

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
'O believers! It is not lawful for you to be heir of the women forcibly, and prevent them not with this design that you may take away part of what you had given them as dower except in this shape that they commit an act of flagrant indecency and treat with them fairly; then if you dislike them, it is likelihood that you may dislike a thing and wherein Allah has placed much good.
Rashad Khalifa   
O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit what the women leave behind, against their will. You shall not force them to give up anything you had given them, unless they commit a proven adultery. You shall treat them nicely. If you dislike them, you may dislike
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Believers, it is unlawful for you to inherit women forcefully, neither bar them, in order that you go off with part of what you have given them, except when they commit a clear indecency. Live with them honorably. If you hate them, it may be that you hate something which Allah has set in it much good
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to take women as heritage against (their) will. Nor should you straiten them by taking part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of manifest indecency. And treat them kindly. Then if you hate them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
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
Bijan Moeinian   
O you believers, do not take your women’s inheritance (and their belongings) from them. Unless your women have committed a big sin, it is forbidden for you to treat them badly so that they give up and sign up their wealth to you. Treat your women kindly and try not to dislike them; you may grow to dislike a woman [because her appearance is not like a TV model] while God may have showered her with so much beauty inside
Faridul Haque   
O People who Believe! It is not lawful for you to forcibly become the women’s heirs; and do not restrain women with the intention of taking away a part of bridal money you gave them, unless they openly commit the shameful; and deal kindly with them; and if you do not like them, so it is possible that you dislike a thing in which Allah has placed abundant good
Sher Ali   
O ye who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will, nor should you detain them wrongfully that you may take away part of that which you have given them, except that they be guilty of a flagrant impropriety, and consort with them in kindness, and if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing wherein ALLAH has placed much good
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
O believers! It is not lawful for you to become heirs to women by force. And do not retain them by force in order to take (back) from them a portion of what you gave them, unless they commit open indecency. And treat them honourably. Then if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah places in it abundant good
Amatul Rahman Omar   
O you who believe! it is not lawful for you to treat women (of your deceased relatives) as inherited property by force, nor should you detain them that you may take away part of that which you have given them, except that they commit flagrant indecency. But consort with them in peace. Then if you have a dislike for them, it may be that you dislike a thing but Allah has placed a good deal of good in it
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
O believers, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will; neither debar them, that you may go off with part of what you have given them, except when they commit a flagrant indecency Consort with them honourably; or if you are averse to them, it is possible you may be averse to a thing, and God set in it much good
George Sale   
O true believers, it is not lawful for you to be heirs of women against their will, nor to hinder them from marrying others, that ye may take away part of what ye have given them in dowry; unless they have been guilty of a manifest crime: But converse kindly with them. And if ye hate them, it may happen that ye may hate a thing wherein God hath placed much good
Edward Henry Palmer   
O ye who believe! it is not lawful for you to inherit women's estates against their will; nor to hinder them, that ye may go off with part of what ye brought them, unless they commit fornication manifestly; but associate with them in reason, for if ye are averse from them, it may be that ye are averse from something wherein God has put much good for you
John Medows Rodwell   
O believers! it is not allowed you to be heirs of your wives against their will; nor to hinder them from marrying, in order to take from them part of the dowry you had given them, unless they have been guilty of undoubted lewdness; but associate kindly with them: for if ye are estranged from them, haply ye are estranged from that in which God hath placed abundant good
N J Dawood (2014)   
Believers, it is unlawful for you to inherit the women of your deceased kinsmen against their will, or to bar them from re-marrying, in order that you may force them to give up a part of what you have given them, unless they be guilty of a proven lewd act. Live with them in modest conduct; for even if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike a thing which God has meant for your own abundant good

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
O you who believe! It is not permissible for you that you should inherit the women against their will nor [is it permissible for you] that you hold them back maliciously so that you may take away some of that you have given them unless they are found guilty of an evident sexual offence. And associate with them in a kindly manner. But if you hate them perhaps you hate something wherein Allah may put a lot of good.
Munir Mezyed   
O' you who Live by Faith! It is not lawful for you to inherit women against their own will, or to create difficulties for them in order to force them to give up a portion of what you have given them in order to obtain divorce, unless they have clearly committed adultery. So treat them with kindness and respect. If you dislike them, you may dislike something wherein Allâh has placed a lot of goodness.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
Oh you believers, it is not permissible for you to inherit women forcibly, and do not prevent them from marrying in order to take away some of that which you have given them, unless they commit evident adultery. And give them appropriate company, and should you resent them, then it may be that you resent something wherein Allah has placed much good.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
O Believers, it is not legal for you to inherit women against their will. You may not restrain them in order to take back part of (any gifts) you have given them, unless they are obviously guilty of adultery. Treat them kindly. If you decide you don’t like them, it may be that, though you dislike something, Allah brings abundant good from it.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
O you who have attained faith, it is not lawful for you to inherit women forcefully, and do not coerce them in order to go away with some of what you have brought them, unless they commit an evident obscenity. And let yourpl relationship with them be in accordance with what is fair. And if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed much good.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
You who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women [themselves like a property] against their will; do not hinder them from remarrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, unless they indulge in flagrant sexual misconduct. Treat them politely; even if you dislike them, perhaps you dislike something in which Allah (God) has placed much good
Samy Mahdy   
O you who believed! It is not permitted (Halal) for you to inherit the women unwillingly and do not preclude them in order to go away with some of what you had given them, except if they bring an obvious obscenity. And live with them by the well-known. So, if you hate them. So perhaps that you may hate a thing and Allah has set up in it much goodness.
Sayyid Qutb   
Believers, it is unlawful for you to inherit women against their will, or to bar them from remarrying so that you may make off with part of what you have given them, except when they are guilty of a flagrant indecency. Consort with them in a goodly manner. Even if you are averse to them, it may well be that you are averse to something in which God has placed much good.
Ahmed Hulusi   
O believers, it is forbidden for you to forcefully become heirs to women... Do not pressure them in order to take a portion of what you have given them (dowry)... Unless they openly (testified by witnesses) commit harlotry... Get on with them justly... Even if there is something you dislike about them, it may be that Allah has ordained much good in it.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
O' you who have Faith! It is not lawful for you to inherit the women against their will, and do not straiten them in order that you may take a part of what you have given them, unless they are guilty of manifest lewdness; but deal kindly with them, and if you hate them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed abundant good in it
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
O you who have conformed to Islam women are not a property to be inherited against their will following the death of their husbands; you are forbidden to copy this pagan custom, nor are you allowed to ill treat them to force them to give up a part of the dower or of the property you have given them, unless they have been proven guilty of an evil line of conduct. And you must live with them in equity and honour according to the manner and the Islamic laws of matrimony. And should you take to them so much dislike; it may happen that you dislike something whereby Allah makes all grace abound
Mir Aneesuddin   
O you who believe ! it is not lawful for you to inherit women forcibly; and do not withhold them (unjustly) that you may take away part of that which you have given them unless they are guilty of manifest indecency, but live with them in a recognised (good manner), and if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing while Allah has placed plenty of good in it.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
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 l ive 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 God brings about through it a great deal of good
OLD Literal Word for Word   
O you who believe[d]! Not (is) lawful for you that you inherit the women (by) force. And not you constraint them so that you may take a part (of) what you have given them except that they commit immorality open. And live with them in kindness. But if you dislike them, then perhaps that you dislike a thing and Allah placed in it much good
OLD Transliteration   
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la yahillu lakum an tarithoo alnnisaa karhan wala taAAduloohunna litathhaboo bibaAAdi ma ataytumoohunna illa an ya/teena bifahishatin mubayyinatin waAAashiroohunna bialmaAAroofi fa-in karihtumoohunna faAAasa an takrahoo shay-an wayajAAala Allahu feehi khayran katheeran