Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
No [other] women shall henceforth be lawful to thee nor art thou [allowed] to supplant [any of] them by other wives, even though their beauty should please thee greatly -: [none shall be lawful to thee] beyond those whom thou [already] hast come to possess. And God keeps watch over everything
M. M. Pickthall
It is not allowed thee to take (other) women henceforth, nor that thou shouldst change them for other wives even though their beauty pleased thee, save those whom thy right hand possesseth. And Allah is ever Watcher over all things
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
It is not lawful for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand should possess (as handmaidens): and Allah doth watch over all things
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
It is not lawful for you ˹O Prophet˺ to marry more women after this, nor can you replace any of your present wives with another, even if her beauty may attract you—except those ˹bondwomen˺ in your possession. And Allah is ever Watchful over all things.
Safi Kaskas
Beyond that, it is not permitted to you to take any additional women, nor to exchange them for other wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except those from among your slaves. God is Watchful over all things.
Wahiduddin Khan
It is not lawful for you to marry more women after this, nor to change them for other wives, even though their beauty may please you, except any that your right hand possesses. God is watchful over all things
Shakir
It is not allowed to you to take women afterwards, nor that you should change them for other wives, though their beauty be pleasing to you, except what your right hand possesses and Allah is Watchful over all things
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
Women are not lawful for thee in marriage after this, nor that thou wert taking them (f) in exchange for other spouses, even though their (f) goodness impressed thee, but whom thy right hand possessed (f). And God had been watching over everything.
T.B.Irving
No [other] women will be lawful for you later on nor may you exchange them for other wives, even though their beauty may entice you, except for someone your right hand controls. God is an Observer over everything.
Abdul Hye
It is not lawful for you (O Muhammad) to marry more women after this, or to change them (present wives) for other wives even though their beauty attracts you, except those (captives) whom your right hand possesses. Allah is a Watcher over all things.
The Study Quran
Women are not lawful for thee beyond that, nor [is it lawful] for thee to exchange them for other wives, though their beauty impresses thee, save those whom thy right hand possesses. And God is Watcher over all things
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
No women are lawful for you after this, nor can you exchange them for other wives, even if their beauty captivates you, except what your right hand possesses. God is watchful over everything.
Talal Itani (2012)
Beyond that, no other women are permissible for you, nor can you exchange them for other wives, even if you admire their beauty, except those you already have. God is Watchful over all things
Dr. Kamal Omar
Women are not lawful to you (to be brought in wedlock) besides (these). And neither it is lawful for you that you may replace out of (your already existing wives) by these (specified) women, even if their goodness has amazed you — except what whom your right (hands) held in trust. And Allah is Ever-Vigilant over every thing
It shall be unlawful for you, O Muhammad, to marry more women after this or to change your present wives with other women, though their beauty may be pleasing to you, however those ladies whom your right hands possess are an exception. Allah takes cognizance of all things
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
Hereafter women are not lawful to you, neither for you to take other spouses in exchange for them, even if their fairness (may) make you admire them except what your right hand possesses; and Allah has (always) been Ever-Watchful over everything
Muhammad Sarwar
Besides these, other women are not lawful for you to marry nor is it lawful for you to exchange your wives for the wives of others (except for the slave girls), even though they may seem attractive to you. God is watchful over all things
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
No women are lawful for you after this, nor is it lawful that you replace them (the present wives) with other wives, even though their goodness may attract you, except the bond-women you own. And Allah is watchful of every thing
Shabbir Ahmed
Henceforth, no other women shall be lawful to you (O Prophet), nor can you substitute anyone with other wives even though you admire their beauty and qualities. None beyond those you already have. Verily, Allah is Watchful over all things
Dr. Munir Munshey
After this (right) other women are not lawful for you, except the captive women. You may not bring other wives _ even though their beauty may charm you _ in place of the ones you already have. Allah watches over all things vigilantly
Syed Vickar Ahamed
(O Prophet!) It is not lawful for you (to marry more) women after this, or to change them for (other) wives, even though their beauty may attract you, except any (women whom) your right hand should possess (as handmaidens): And Allah is Watchful (Raqib) over all things
Not lawful to you, [O Muhammad], are [any additional] women after [this], nor [is it] for you to exchange them for [other] wives, even if their beauty were to please you, except what your right hand possesses. And ever is Allah , over all things, an Observer
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
No women are lawful to you beyond this, nor that you change them for other wives, even though you may be attracted by their beauty, except those to whom you are committed by oaths. And God is watchful over all things
Abdel Haleem
You [Prophet] are not permitted to take any further wives, nor to exchange the wives you have for others, even if these attract you with their beauty. But this does not apply to your slave-girls: God is watchful over all
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
Women are not allowed unto thee henceforth, nor mayest thou change them for other wives although their beauty please thee, save those whom thy right hand shall own; and Allah is ever over everything a Watcher
Ahmed Ali
No other women are lawful for you after this except those you have married, nor to change your present wives for other women even though their beauty should appeal to you. God is watchful of everything
Aisha Bewley
After that no other women are halal for you nor may you exchange them for other wives, even though their beauty might be pleasing to you, with the exception of any you own as slaves. Allah is watchful over all things.
Ali Ünal
Other women (than those just mentioned and those already married to you ) will not be lawful for you to take; nor, (seeing that they – your wives – have preferred God and His Messenger over the charms of the world) are you allowed to change them for other wives, even though their fineness should please you, except those whom your right hands possess. God is ever watchful over everything
Ali Quli Qara'i
Beyond that, women are not lawful for you, nor that you should change them for other wives even though their beauty should impress you, except those whom your right hand owns. And Allah is watchful over all things
Hamid S. Aziz
It is not lawful to you to marry more women afterwards, nor that you should change them for other wives, though their beauty be pleasing to you, except what your right hand possesses and Allah is Watchful over all things
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
Women are not lawful for you from now on, and neither is exchanging them for other wives, even though their beauty impresses you, except those your right hand owns. God is watchful over everything.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
It is not permissible for you to marry women after this, nor to leave them for other wives, even though their beauty attracts you, except any your right hand possess, and God watches over all things
Musharraf Hussain
From now on, no other women will be lawful for you, nor can you exchange them for other wives, even if you like their beauty, except a slave maid. Allah is the Observer of all things
Maududi
Thereafter women will not be lawful for you, and it will not be lawful for you to take other wives in place of them, even though their beauty might please you, unless they be those whom your right hand owns. Allah is watchful over everything
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
No women are lawful to you beyond this, nor that you change them for other wives, even though you may be attracted by their beauty, except what is maintained by your oath. And God is Watcher over all things.
Mohammad Shafi
No more wives are allowed to you after this. Nor are you allowed to exchange them (existing wives) for other wives, though the latters' beauty be pleasing to you, except those whom your right hand possesses (slaves). And Allah is Watchful over everything
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
Thereafter other women are not allowed for you and nor you take other wives in exchange of them though their beauty please you but slave girl the possession of your hand. And Allah is Watchful over every thing.
Beyond the categories described to you, you are enjoined from marrying any other women, nor can you substitute a new wife (from the prohibited categories), no matter how much you admire their beauty. You must be content with those already made lawful to you. GOD is watchful over all things.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
It shall be unlawful for you to take more wives or to exchange your present wives for other women, though their beauty pleases you, except those whom your right hand possesses. Allah is watchful over everything
Maulana Muhammad Ali
It is not allowed to thee to take wives after this, nor to change them for other wives, though their beauty be pleasing to thee, except those whom thy right hand possesses. And Allah is ever Watchful over all things
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
The women are not permitted/allowed to you from after, and nor that you exchange/replace with them (F) from wives , and even if their goodness/beauty pleased/marveled you, except what your right (hand) owned/possessed, and God was/is on every thing observing/watching
Bijan Moeinian
It is no more lawful for you to take no other woman, beyond the categories explained above, except the slave girls. [As your wives have become pleased with any way that you treat them and have rejected the world in preference to the Hereafter,] It is no more lawful for you that you should divorce any of your wives to replace them with the others (even though the latter’ beauty may be extremely appealing.
Faridul Haque
Other women are not permitted for you after these, nor that you change them for other wives even if their beauty pleases you except the bondwomen whom you possess; and Allah is the Guardian over all things
Sher Ali
It is not allowed to thee to marry women after that, nor to change them for other wives even, though their goodness please thee, except any that thy right hand possesses. And ALLAH is Watchful over all things
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
After that (they have preferred your pleasure and your service to the worldly benefits), it is not lawful for you also (to marry) more women (so that these wives alone may enjoy the distinction of their glory). Nor is it lawful that (in case of divorce to some and regarding it Our command to maintain the present number of wives) you take (into marriage) other wives in their place, even though their beauty (of behaviour, moral conduct and style of preaching Din [Religion]) may seem to you pleasingly excellent. But the slave girl that is in your possession (by Our command is lawful). And Allah is Ever-Watchful over everything
Amatul Rahman Omar
(Prophet!) you are not allowed (to marry) other woman after this, nor to change them (- your present wives )for other wives however much you may admire their good qualities. Only those (will remain with you) whom your right hand owns (after your having properly and lawfully wedded them). Remember that Allah is Ever Watchful over everything
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
It is not lawful for you (to marry other) women after this, nor to change them for other wives even though their beauty attracts you, except those (captives or slaves) whom your right hand possesses. And Allah is Ever a Watcher over all things
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
It is not permitted for you to take other women after this nor to exchange them for other wives even though their beauty deserves your admiration save those that your right hands possess and Allah indeed is watchful over everything.
Munir Mezyed
It is not lawful for you to take more wives or exchange the present wives for other women, even though their beauty might enamor you, save those whom your right hand possesses. And Allâh is ever Watchful over all things.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
No further women are permitted to you after that, nor that you replace them with other wives, even if you like their beauty, except for those in your possession, and Allah watches over everything.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
After this, other women are not lawful for you, and you cannot exchange them for other wives even though their beauty attracts you. The exception is any of your slaves [after you free them]. Allah watches over all things.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
Yousg are not allowed (to marry) any further women, nor to exchange the spouses you have for others, even if you are impressed by their beauty, except for those whom you rightfully possess. And Allah has always been Watchful over everything.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
No [other] women will be lawful for you later on nor may you exchange them for other wives, even though their beauty may entice you, except for someone your right hand controls [of female slaves]. Allah (God) is an Observer over everything.
Samy Mahdy
The women are not permitted (Halal) for you after that, nor can you exchange them with other wives, even if their fineness admires you, except what your right hand possesses. And ever is Allah over everything, an Observer.
Sayyid Qutb
You [Muĥammad] arc not permitted to take any further wives, nor to exchange these for other wives, even though you are attracted by their beauty, except for any that your right hand may possess. God keeps watch over all things.
Ahmed Hulusi
No (other) women after this is lawful to you... You cannot exchange them for other wives even if their beauty is pleasing to you! Except for your bondmaids... Allah is Raqib over all things.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Thereafter women are not lawful to you, neither for you to take other wives in exchange for them, though their beauty may charm you, except what your right hand possesses, and Allah is watchful over all things
(And as of now) You are not permitted O Muhammad to unite in wedlock with more women nor are you permitted to change those you have for other wives even if their beauty attracts your eyes and captivates your heart except those you have on hand. And Allah, has always been Raqibun keeping a vigilant eye upon all things
Mir Aneesuddin
Women beyond these are not lawful for you, nor (is it lawful) that you should change them for other wives, even if their beauty pleased you, except those whom your right hand possesses, and Allah is Vigilant over everything.
The Wise Quran
It is not lawful for you to take women after, nor to change them for wives, even though their beauty pleases you; except what your right hand possesses, and God is a watcher over everything.