4:25

Salaam all,

This is 4:25
وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنكُمْ طَوْلاً أَن يَنكِحَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ فَمِن مِّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُم مِّن فَتَيَاتِكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِكُمْ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ فَانكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ وَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مُحْصَنَاتٍ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحَاتٍ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذَاتِ أَخْدَانٍ فَإِذَا أُحْصِنَّ فَإِنْ أَتَيْنَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَى الْمُحْصَنَاتِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ الْعَنَتَ مِنْكُمْ وَأَن تَصْبِرُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Waman lam yastatiAA minkum tawlan an yankiha almuhsanati almuminati famin ma malakat aymanukum min fatayatikumu almuminati waAllahu aAAlamu bieemanikum baAAdukum min baAAdin fainkihoohunna biithni ahlihinna waatoohunna ojoorahunna bialmaAAroofi muhsanatin ghayra masafihatin wala muttakhithati akhdanin faitha ohsinna fain atayna bifahishatin faAAalayhinna nisfu ma AAala almuhsanati mina alAAathabi thalika liman khashiya alAAanata minkum waan tasbiroo khayrun lakum waAllahu ghafoorun raheemun

The Aya says:
And whoever could not marry the protected free women who attained safety (in Allah), then from what you have legal authority of your young women who attained safety (in Allah). And Allah (is) more knowing of your safety (in Him). Some of you from some, therefore marry them with permission of their people, and give them their compensations, by what is recognized as good, protected, not adulterated nor as concubines. Then when they are married, so if they come with an ugly deed (sexual) then upon them is half of what is upon the protected free women of the suffering. That is to those who fear hardship/sin amongst you (plural). And if you self restrain, then it is better for you, and Allah is forgiving, merciful.

My personal note:
The Aya changes the context of the word Muhsanat which carries the general meaning of protected/guarded women through being married. The context of the sentence makes the first Muhsanat to mean protected free women because it contrasts them to ma malakat Aymanukum= what you have legal authority. This term applies to a large category of situations, but in here it points to slave women.

The Aya them is telling the believers to marry the free women, but if they cannot then to marry the slave girls that they own, which also includes giving them their freedom. It mentions taking permission from their families and giving them the same as they would give to any free woman. If those women, however, commit a sexual offense after having been freed and married, then their punishment will be half the punishment of the free woman.
The Aya also touches on the fear of hardship which includes fear of falling into sin. This is very interesting. This statement acknowledges the importance and significance of fulfilling our sexual needs. It mentions less than ideal solutions that can be permitted in case of fear or hardship or falling into sin. It points that the more important thing is protecting people from falling into sin, by allowing legal alternatives to a very traditional marriage, but which can fulfill their sexual needs.

The aya ends with saying that self restraint is better, for those who can do it. However, the Aya ends with God being forgiving and merciful. As if the Aya says that God helps each one of us in fulfilling their legitimate sexual needs, within a legal Islamic framework. It is within this background, that some early Muslims, Ibn Abbas and Ibn Hanbal, considered that masturbation will be allowed for those who otherwise fear falling into hardship or adultery. It probably can be expanded to other categories of people and needs as well.

Translation of the transliterated words:
Waman: and whoever
Lam: not
yastatiAA: being capable
Note: the root is TTa-W-Ain and it means willing compliance as a concept. This can be extended to obeying and so forth. YASTATiAA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of seeking and achieving obeying or willing compliance is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person plural).
Minkum: from you (plural)/ amongst you
Tawlan: reaching/affording
Note: The root is TTa-W-L and it means length or height. Conceptually, it is also used to mean reach or afford, as in what a person reaches or the entity reaches or affords. TAWLAN means: reaching or affords.
An: that
Yankiha: marry
Note: the root is N-K-Ha and it means the having of sex between a male and female in a legal manner and it takes the meaning of the marriage and the marriage contract in a sense. YANKIHA is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means in this context: the action of marrying is happening or will be happening by the subject (third person singular).
Almuhsanati: the protected/ fortified women
Note: ALMUHSANAT is derived from the root Ha-Sad-N and it means fortress. One word that is used is Hisan for horse. Conceptually, it is used for any entity that is fortified that a person cannot enter inside, except with permission. ALMUHSANATI are the women who were made fortified/ protected conceptually. In this context, it points to any woman who has strength or power or fortification and protection from her own self or outside.
Almuminati: the ones (feminine) who made themselves safe (in Allah)
Note: the root Hamza-M-N and it means safety. ALMUMINAT means ones who make themselves safe Plural feminine).

Famin: then from
Ma: what
Malakat: she owned/ she happened to have authority
Note: the root is MLK and it means ownership or authority over something. One concrete meaning is the fruit when it becomes strong and held together. So, in a sense MULK has the meaning of holding things together in a strong bond and with authority over it. MALAKAT is an action that is completed. It means: the action of owning or having authority happened by the subject (third person feminine singular pointing to Aymanukum= your right/ your right hands/ your legal right).
Aymanukum: Your (plural) right/ your right hand/ your legal right/ your oaths.
Note: AYMANUKUM is derived from the root Y-M-N and it means right as in the opposite of left. This is then taken conceptually to mean many other things as in right hand, oath and good luck and so forth. AYMANU means right or right hand or legal right or oath of. KUM means plural you. MA MALAKAT AYMANUKUM covers what the meaning of: What you have legal authority over.
Min: from/ amongst
Fatayatikumu: your slave women
Note: the root is F-T-Y and it means in concrete when the youth has just reached maturity. So, it carries the meaning of height of maturity and vigor. Conceptually it is used for youth as well as mature opinions at their heights and for slaves or servants, because they are generally people who just finished their maturity stages, as they were referred to in early Arabic history. FATAYATI means slave or servant women of (in this context). KUM is plural you.
Almuminati: the ones (feminine) who made themselves safe (in Allah)
Note: the root Hamza-M-N and it means safety. ALMUMINAT means ones who make themselves safe Plural feminine).
waAllahu: and Allah/ while Allah
aAAlamu: more knowledgeable
Note: aAALAMU is derived from the root Ain-L-M and it means knowledge or knowledge of facts. aAALAMU means knows facts better.
bieemanikum: by your safety/ in you safety / of your safety (in Him)
Note: Bi denotes that what comes after is a tool and/or an object or an association with an action that was mentioned. If it is an object of the action then it makes it stronger. EEMANIKUM is derived from the root Hamza-M-N and it means safety or trust. EEMANI means safety or trust of. KUM means plural you.
baAAdukum: some of you (plural)
Note: the root is B-Ain-Dhad and it means part of the whole. BaAADU means part of or some of. KUM means plural you.
min: from/of
baAAdin: some
Note: the root is B-Ain-Dhad and it means part of the whole and it takes the conceptual meaning of some of the whole. BaAADIN means: Some
Fainkihoohunna: therefore marry them (feminine plural)
Note: Fa means therefore or then or so. INKIHOONNA is derived from the root N-K-Ha and it means the having of sex between a male and female in a legal manner and it takes the meaning of the marriage and the marriage contract in a sense. INKIHOO is an order or a demand to a group of people. It means: marry the object (hunna= feminine them).
Biithni: by knowledge and permission of/ with knowledge and permission of/ by license of
Note: Bi suggests that what comes after it is either an association with the action, a tool of the action or an object of the action or any combination of the three. If bi serves as an object of the action that it serves as an emphasis of the action. ITHNI is derived from the root Hamza-TH-N and it means ear in concrete. It also means hearing, knowing and approving at the same time and may be extended to acting according to that knowledge. ITHNI means knowledge and approval/permission of or license of.
Ahlihinna: their families/ their people
Note: the root is Hamza-H-L and one concrete meaning of the word is the fat that surrounds the back of the animal. It is used conceptually to mean family or any of the people that are closely associated with the entity being discussed. This could be because they are like the fat as in they engulf and protect and so forth and gain protection at the same time. AHLI means people of. or family of. HNNA is feminine them.
Waatoohunna: and bring to them/ and give them (feminine)
Note: WA is a letter that links what is before with what is after. This link is through inclusion, either one is included in the other or they are all included in the bigger sentence or bigger picture. WA often corresponds with “and/ addition” but the more encompassing meaning is in inclusion one in another or all in a bigger picture or sentence. ATOOHUNNA is derived from the root Hamza-T-Y and it means in concrete the water that comes from the rain of another land. In concrete it means the coming of something or someone with many of it’s implications. ATOO is an order addressing a group of people. It means: make come or bring about to the object (HUNNA= feminine them).
Ojoorahunna: their compensations
Note: the root is Hamza-J-R and it means compensation for work done. UJOORA means compensations of work or just compensation of. HUNNA means a feminine them.
bialmaAAroofi: by what is recognized as appropriate/ good
Note: Bi denotes that what comes after is a tool and/or an object or an association with an action that was mentioned. If it is an object of the action then it makes it stronger. ALMaAAROOFI is derived from the root Ain-R-F and it means the elevated place that will be known or recognized from a distance. MaAAROOF is what is recognized. This is also used to mean what is good or recognized as being good or appropriate. ALMaAAROOFI means recognized as good or appropriate.
Muhsanatin: fortified/ protected/ marrying in public
Note: the root is Ha-Sad-N and it means fortress. One word that is used is Hisan for horse. Conceptually, it is used for any entity that is fortified that a person cannot enter inside, except with permission. MUHSINANATIN are those females who were fortified or protected. In this context, it points to marrying the women in public.
Ghayra: not/ other than
Note: GHAYRA is derived from the root GH-Y-R and it means other or different from. GHAYRA means different or other than.
masafihatin: sneaking/ unrestrained/ adulterated
Note: the root is S-F-Ha and it means in concrete two main things that are related. One is the slope of the mountain or the lower part or the beginning of the mountain. The other is the water or liquid which is flowing without being held back, just as the slope of the mountain does not hold the water. MUSAFIHATIN is an interactive word that means: the action of doing sloping or not holding back the liquids is happening between two individuals. In here, it takes two meanings that are related. It carries the meaning of sneaking since the slope of the mountain is hidden as opposed to the clear peak, it also carries the meaning of letting their fluids flow without restraint. This act covers any act of general consent to sex done in secret, not in public, whether it is a secret marriage or just adultery.
Wala: and not/ including not
Muttakhithati: they (feminine) taking
Note: the root is Hamza-KH-TH and it means taking. MUTTAKHITHATI are plural feminine who take.
Akhdanin: a taking/a taken entity
Note: the root is Hamza-KH-TH and it means taking. AKHDANIM is a taken entity. MUTTAKHITHATI AKHDANIN is understood as taking a man as a lover but not a husband.
Faitha: so when/if
Ohsinna: they became fortified/ married/ protected
Note: the root is Ha-Sad-N and it means fortress. One word that is used is Hisan for horse. Conceptually, it is used for any entity that is fortified that a person cannot enter inside, except with permission. OHSINNA is an action that is completed. It means: the action of fortifying or protecting of the object (third person plural feminine) happened by an undeclared subject.
Fain: then if
Atayna: they came/ they brought
Note: The root is Hamza-T-Y and it means in concrete the water that comes from the rain of another land. In concrete it means the coming of something or someone with many of it’s implications. ATAYNA is an action that is completed. It means: The action of coming or bringing happened by the subject (third person plural feminine) of the object (Fahishatin= ugly word or deed)
bifahishatin: with ugly word or deed
Note: Bi denotes that what comes after is a tool and/or an object or an association with an action that was mentioned. If it is an object of the action then it makes it stronger. FAHISHATIN is derived from the root F-Ha-SH and it means: the ugly word or deed or any word or deed that has exceeded the border of decency and appropriateness. The term is often used related to sexual acts, but it is not limited to it. FAHISHATIN is an ugly word or deed including sexually. In the context of this Aya, it is pointing mainly to a sexual act.
faAAalayhinna: then upon them (plural feminine)
nisfu: half of
Note: the root is N-Sad-F and it means in concrete the division of an entity into two equal parts. Conceptually it is used for half and can be extended to justice and because of dividing in the middle. NISFU here means the half of or one of the two equal parts of.
Ma: what
AAala: on/ upon
Almuhsanati: the protected/ fortified women
Note: ALMUHSANAT is derived from the root Ha-Sad-N and it means fortress. One word that is used is Hisan for horse. Conceptually, it is used for any entity that is fortified that a person cannot enter inside, except with permission. ALMUHSANATI are the women who were made fortified/ protected conceptually. In this context, it points to any woman who has strength or power or fortification and protection from her own self or outside.
Mina: of /from
alAAathabi: the suffering
Note: the root is Ain-TH-B and it means an easy to swallow food or drink. ALAAaTHAB is what makes one not take an easy to swallow food or drink. That is the suffering.
Thalika: that
Liman: to whom
Khashiya: feared
Note: the root is KH-SH-Y and it means: fear or fear mixed with hope or knowledge of frightening reality. KAHSHIYA is an action that is completed. It means: the action of fearing or fearing with hope happened by the subject (third person singular).
alAAanata: hardship/ sin
Note: the root is Ain-N-T and it means hardship of any kind. Conceptually, it covers any form of hardship including falling into sin. ALAAaNATA is the hardship and that includes sin.
Minkum: from you (plural)/ amongst you
Waan: and that
Tasbiroo: you (plural) self restrain/ you be patient
Note: the root is Sad-B-R and it means jail or prison. The word is used to mean patience and restraint at the same time, since both are about imprisoning our negative emotions, thoughts, and the push to act uninhibited. TASBIROO is an action that is being completed or will be completed. It means: the action of being patient or self restrain are happening or will be happening by the subject (second person plural).
Khayrun: good/ better
Note: the root is KH-Y-R and it means choice. It is also understood as good or as better, because one would chose the good over the bad. KHAYRUN means: good or best choice.
Lakum: to you (plural)/ for you
waAllahu: and Allah
ghafoorun: forgiving/ provider of protective cover
Note: the root GH-F-R and it means the helmet of the soldier in the battle. This one of the concrete words and the word is therefore used to mean protective covering in many fashions as in protecting the person from the error or protecting the person from the consequence of error and that is forgiveness. GHAFOORAN is the one who provides protective cover, or the one who is forgiving and the two meanings are related.
Raheemun: merciful
Note: the root is R-Ha-M and it means womb in concrete. This term is used to mean mercy and all the good that the womb provides. RAHEEM is the one with the womb-like mercy.

Salaam all and have a great day.

Hussein