Women Forbidden in Marriage in the Qur’an: An Analysis of Surah An-Nisa

The Qur’an provides many social and moral guidelines regarding marriage, and one of these concerns which women are forbidden to marry. In Surah An-Nisa, verses 22 and 23, Allah establishes the limits of marriage and clearly explains which women are forbidden.
These verses outline an important framework for marriage and help ensure that the social structure is shaped in a healthy way. Surah An-Nisa 22 and 23 clearly describe the women with whom marriage is prohibited, indicating that marrying certain close relatives and specific relations is not allowed.
Surah An-Nisa 4:22
> “And do not marry women whom your fathers married, except what has already occurred. Indeed, it was a shameful and hateful act and an evil way.”
This verse prohibits a person from marrying women whom their father has married and emphasizes that such a marriage is a major sin. It also indicates that any such marriages that occurred in the past are not to be annulled, but repeating such a marriage is strictly forbidden.
Surah An-Nisa 4:23
> “Prohibited to you are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunts, your maternal aunts, your brothers’ daughters, your sisters’ daughters, your mothers who nursed you, your foster sisters, the mothers of your wives, your stepdaughters under your guardianship born of your wives with whom you have consummated the marriage—if you have not consummated with them, there is no blame upon you—and the wives of your sons who are from your own loins, and that you marry two sisters simultaneously, except what has already occurred. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
This verse lists many women who are forbidden for marriage. These include close relatives such as:
One’s mother and daughter
One’s sisters, paternal aunts, and maternal aunts
Foster mothers and foster sisters
The mother of one’s wife
Stepdaughters (under certain conditions)
It also prohibits marrying two sisters at the same time.
The phrase “your mothers and your daughters” is understood to include not only one’s direct mother and daughter but also, in a broader sense, those within the lineage—covering generational relations within the family.
This establishes a wide prohibition that includes multiple levels of ancestry and descendants. The purpose is to regulate family relationships and prevent marriages between close relatives.
Similarly, Surah An-Nisa 4:22 prohibits marrying women who were married by one’s father. This ruling is not limited only to the father; it also includes earlier generations. For example, a grandfather’s wife would also fall under this prohibition.
This demonstrates that marriage restrictions across generations are important for preventing confusion in lineage and maintaining social order.
Categories of Forbidden Women in Surah 4:23
The verse provides a detailed list of women forbidden in marriage:
Mother and Daughter: A person cannot marry his mother or daughter due to direct blood relations.
Sister, Aunt (paternal and maternal): Close female relatives are forbidden.
Foster Relations: Breastfeeding creates familial bonds, making foster mothers and foster sisters also forbidden.
Stepdaughters: A man cannot marry his wife’s daughter if the marriage has been consummated.
Two Sisters Together: It is forbidden to marry two sisters at the same time.
The Concept of “Those Possessed by Your Oaths”
Regarding slavery, it is argued that Islam does not endorse slavery in the modern sense. The term “aymanukum” is often translated in some interpretations as “those whom your right hands possess” (i.e., slaves), but it actually relates to contractual or oath-based ownership in its linguistic root.
In Turkish, the word “eymanukum” is interpreted as “your oaths” or “your commitments.” Therefore, it is sometimes argued that translating it as “slave” does not fully reflect the meaning of the term.
Surah An-Nisa 4:24 continues the discussion:
> “And [also prohibited to you are] all married women except those your right hands possess. This is the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are all others beyond these, provided you seek them in marriage, with your wealth, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual relations. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree upon after the obligation. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise.”
Conclusion
Surah An-Nisa establishes clear boundaries regarding marriage to preserve moral and social order. Avoiding marriage with those whom Allah has forbidden plays a vital role in maintaining both individual and societal harmony.
Restricting marriage within family relationships prevents confusion in lineage and contributes to a stable and organized society.
The list of forbidden women in the Qur’an provides fundamental principles that individuals must observe in every era and contributes to the preservation of family values and moral integrity.