The word "Ma Malakat Aymanukum (MMA)" which occurs several times in the Qur'an has created a serious problem for the image of Islam as the word is taken to mean "female captives" or "slave women" as seen in the translation below of 4:24 & 23:5-6:
Pickthall: And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond those mentioned, so that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement after the duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise.
Pickthall: And who guard their modesty -Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,
We all know from our previous article on polygyny that it is easy to deviate when looking at a topic if words are ignored or if desire is injected - this article will show that similar errors have taken place with the subject of MMA's.
Since the Qur'an forbade sexual relations out of wedlock, and since it emphasized the need for chastity and modesty, the people who followed their desires found a way out with MMA's by stating that these were clearly female slaves and female captives with whom the master can have sexual relations at will...Some translations (e.g. Shabbir Ahmed, Ahmed Khan) tried to make this softer by stating that these were "women who came over from the camp of the rejectors", but we will see it creates the same outcome of sex outside of marriage.
Before embarking of this journey, we need to make clear the definition of not only “Ma Malakat Armanukum” but also another important word “Musanaat” that will come into use on this topic:
1. What does "Ma Malakat Aymanukum" Mean?
The first task we will undertake is to simply break the word into its literal meanings:
Ma = Those which (see 2:4, 59:6, 59:7)
Malakat = Possess / Caretaker (see 24:61)
Aymanukum = Your Oaths (see 2:224, 2:225, 5:89, 16:92, 16:94, 66:2)
Translation: "those which your oaths possess" / or / "those possessed by your oaths"
2. What does "Muhsanaat" Mean?
Muhsaan comes from the word "Husn" which means to "fortify/strengthen":
"They will not fight you all together unless they are in fortified (Muhsaana) towns, or from behind walls. Their might appears formidable among themselves. You would think that they are united, but their hearts are divided. This is because they are a people who do not comprehend." (59:40)
"And Mary, the daughter of Imran, who safeguarded (Ahsanaat) her chastity, so We blew into it from Our Spirit, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His Books; and she was of those who were devout" (66:12)
When it refers to women, it has been misinterpreted by some to mean "already married," but what it means from the Qur'an and God's use of the word is that they have become "independent" or "emancipated":
"Today, the good things have been made permissible to you, and the food of those who have been given the Book is permissible for you, and your food is permissible for them. And the independent (Muhsanaat) females from those who are believers, and the independent (Muhsanaat) females from those who have been given the Book before you; on condition you give them their due payment. Independent (Muhsaneen) —not for illicit sex or taking lovers. And whoever rejects belief, then his work has fallen, and in the Hereafter he is of the losers.
Clearly no one is being told to go and marry the married women. But they are being told to marry the "independent/mature" women.
Who are the MMA and why are they called as such?
"And whoever of you cannot afford to marry the independent female believers, then from those who are in the care of your oaths of the believing young women. And God is more aware of your faith, some of you to each other. You shall marry them with the permission of their family, and give them their due payment in kindness. To be independent—not for illicit sex or taking lovers. Once they are independent, then any of them who comes with an immorality shall have half of what is upon those already independent of the punishment. This is for those who fear a hardship from among you, but if you are patient it is better for you. And God is Forgiver, Merciful." (4:25)
Now that we have defined the words, when we look at verse 4:25 above, we can see a number of factors that quickly paint the entire picture of truth for us:
- Men are encouraged to marry the believing "independent/mature" type of woman;
- If the man cannot find or cannot afford such, then he shall move to the second group called "MMA's"
- The MMA's are described as being "younger"
- The MMA's require their families "consent"
- The MMA's still require a "dowry"
- The MMA's become "independent" once married
- The MMA will not be treated the same as a "mature/independent" woman should she commit immorality
Now that we have all this rich information, we need to dig a little deeper to understand how these young women became MMA's and not simply "daughters" (e.g. the father offering his two "daughters" to Moses in 28:27, and not calling them "MMA's")
From the Qur'an, we learn that this category has a number of characteristics:
- They are a group without income or possession
"And God has preferred some of you over others in provision. Yet, those who have been preferred will not relinquish their provision to those who are in the care of their oaths, that they may become equal in it. Is it the favor of God that they deny? (16:71)
"And serve God and do not set up anything with Him, and do good to the parents, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and the neighbor who is a relative, and the neighbor nearby, and the friend nearby, and the wayfarer, and those in the care of your oaths. God does not like the arrogant, the boastful." (4:36)
"An example is put forth for you from among yourselves: are there any from among those who are in the care of your oaths that are partners to you in what provisions We have given you that you become equal therein? Would you fear them as you fear each other? It is such that We clarify the revelations for a people who have sense." (30:28)
- They are living in houses that are not their own
"O you who believe, let those among you who are in the care of your oaths, and those who have not attained puberty, request your permission regarding three times: before the dawn Connection, and when you put off your garments from the noon time, and after the evening Connection. These are three private times for you. Other than these times, it is not wrong for you or them to intermingle with one another. God thus clarifies the revelations for you. And God is Knowledgeable, Wise." (24:58)
"There is no sin upon them before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their women, or those who are in the care of their oaths. And be aware of God, for God is witness over all things" (33:55)
We also know that, again, they accelerate becoming "Muhsanaat" (independent) should they ask for the marriage to be consummated or the marriage becomes consummated:
"...And if those who are in the care of your oaths seek to consummate the marriage, then document it with them if you find that they are ready, and give them from the wealth of God which He has bestowed upon you. And do not force your young women to be unchaste if they have desired to be independent, in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this worldly life. And if anyone has compelled them, then for their compulsion, God is Forgiving, Merciful." (24:33)
Finally, it should be pointed out that if these females have sex then the consummation would make the MMA a full wife status as she is not described in opposition ("or") to a wife:
ُ"And they maintain their chastity. Except around their mates, or those who are in the care of their oaths, they are free from blame." (23:5-6)
"And they maintain their chastity. Except around their spouses or those in the care of their oaths, there is no blame." (70:29-30)
Conclusion
The Qur'an has clarified for us how to deal with the subject of minors under the care of others. Not only in their marriage, but also in the social and community realm. There are no slaves, no prisoners of war, no concubines, no 1,001 nights and Arabian fantasies...Just some very simple sounding rules that govern vulnerable young women who are being cared for before they have matured and become independent on their own.
- This category MMA describes "young females"
- These females are dependent on others and/or their family
- These females typically have little income/possessions of their own
- They do not live with their parents or in their parents house
- These females are allowed to be married, but should not be the first choice (independent woman are)
- Permission of their family must be sought
- The marriage dowry must be paid
- With marriage they automatically become "independent" (muhsanaat)
- Should they ever engage in the act of adultery, they will only receive half the punishment of one who was married while already independent
Written for (www.free-minds.org)
