The Meaning Of The Word "Nikah" In The Quran
By
Bassam Zawadi
There are many silly Christians going around Paltalk chat rooms saying that the Quran has a bad word in it. The "bad word" that they are referring to is Nikah, which they term the "N word". They claim that it is an offensive word, which basically means to have sex. So in Arabic it is equivalent to the "F word" according to them.
Even though this is completely false and that "Nikah" is a proper and not offensive word to use, it does not only have to necessarily mean "to have sex". It could also mean marriage. See the following online Arabic to English dictionary...
http://www.ectaco.co.uk/main.jsp?do=e-services-dictionaries-word_translate1&direction=2&status=translate&lang1=2&lang2=en&source=marriage
Also visit http://www.stars21.com/index.html?pname=african&aname=africantrans and type in "marriage" and have it translated into Arabic and you will find the word "Nikah" there.
It is true that "Nikah" could sometimes also refer to sexual intercourse. Let us look at how this word is used throughout the Quran...
NOTE
I did not perform a detailed research on each of the verses below and tried to find out whether the word Nikah meant marriage or sexual intercourse in the context. Rather, I only stated my own personal opinion by only simply reading the verse in its plain reading and expressing what first came to my mind upon reading the verse.
THUS, I DON'T EXPECT THE READERS TO ACCEPT MY OPINIONS; RATHER THEY MUST CHECK THE COMMENTARIES AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THE WORD NIKAH REALLY MEANT IN THOSE SPECIFIC VERSES.
The first verse we will look at...
Surah 2:221
Do not marry (tankihoo) unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (tunkihoo) (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But God beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 2:230
So if a husband divorces his wife (irrevocably), He cannot, after that, re-marry her until after she has married (tankiha) another husband and He has divorced her. In that case there is no blame on either of them if they re-unite, provided they feel that they can keep the limits ordained by God. Such are the limits ordained by God, which He makes plain to those who understand.
Over here it seems most likely to mean sexual intercourse.
Surah 2:232
When ye divorce women, and they fulfill the term of their ('Iddat), do not prevent them from marrying (yankihna) their (former) husbands, if they mutually agree on equitable terms. This instruction is for all amongst you, who believe in God and the Last Day. That is (the course Making for) most virtue and purity amongst you and God knows, and ye know not.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 2:235
There is no blame on you if ye make an offer of betrothal or hold it in your hearts. God knows that ye cherish them in your hearts: But do not make a secret contract with them except in terms Honorable, nor resolve on the tie of marriage (alnnikahi) till the term prescribed is fulfilled. And know that God Knoweth what is in your hearts, and take heed of Him; and know that God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 2:237
And if ye divorce them before consummation, but after the fixation of a dower for them, then the half of the dower (Is due to them), unless they remit it or (the man's half) is remitted by him in whose hands is the marriage (alnnikahi) tie; and the remission (of the man's half) is the nearest to righteousness. And do not forget Liberality between yourselves. For God sees well all that ye do.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 4:3
If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry (fainkihoo) women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 4:6
Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage (alnnikaha); if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account.
Over here it seems most likely to mean sexual intercourse because it most implies that the orphan should reach the age of puberty.
Surah 4:22
And marry (tankihoo) not women whom your fathers married (nakaha),- except what is past: It was shameful and odious,- an abominable custom indeed.
Could possibly mean both.
Surah 4:25
If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed (yankiha) free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And God hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed (fainkihoohunna) them with the leave of their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practise self-restraint. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Ibn Kathir provides evidence that this refers to marriage.
Surah 4:127
They ask thy instruction concerning the women say: God doth instruct you about them: And (remember) what hath been rehearsed unto you in the Book, concerning the orphans of women to whom ye give not the portions prescribed, and yet whom ye desire to marry (tankihoohunna), as also concerning the children who are weak and oppressed: that ye stand firm for justice to orphans. There is not a good deed which ye do, but God is well-acquainted therewith.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 24:3
The fornicator shall not marry (yankihu) any but a fornicatress or idolatress, and (as for) the fornicatress, none shall marry (yankihuha) her but a fornicator or an idolater; and it is forbidden to the believers.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 24:32
Marry (Waankihoo) those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among yourselves, male or female: if they are in poverty, God will give them means out of His grace: for God encompasseth all, and he knoweth all things.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 24:33
Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage (nikahan) keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which God has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is God, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them),
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
Surah 24:60
Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage (nikahan),- there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and God is One Who sees and knows all things.
Over here it seems most likely to mean sexual intercourse, however it could mean both.
Surah 33:49
O ye who believe! When ye marry (nakahtumu) believing women, and then divorce them before ye have touched them, no period of 'Iddat have ye to count in respect of them: so give them a present. And set them free in a handsome manner.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage. Because the verse says "before ye have touched them". How can you have sex with them and not yet have touched them? So its pretty obvious that its marriage.
Surah 33:50
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 God has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Makka) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her (yastankihaha);- 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 God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Over here it seems most likely to mean sexual intercourse, however it could mean both.
Surah 33:53
O ye who believe! Enter not the Prophet's houses,- until leave is given you,- for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation: but when ye are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse, without seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed to dismiss you, but God is not ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy God's Apostle, or that ye should marry (tankihoo) his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in God's sight an enormity.
In the above verse it seems pretty clear that the word is referring to marriage.
So as we can see, the word Nikah does not only have to mean sexual intercourse. Nikah is not an offensive word. If you want to see offensive and inappropriate language then read articles like these...
http://www.bismikaallahuma.org/archives/2005/ezekiel-23-and-its-disgusting-language/
http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/does_the_quran_use_offensive_insults_against_sinners_or_is_it_the_bible_
Return to General Articles on Islam
Return to Homepage
