مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 2924

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was forbidden all kinds of women except those who were believers and muhajirat (migrants). Allah said: "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 (slaves) whom your right hand possesses" [al- Ahzab 33:52]. And Allah permitted free, believing women: "and a believing woman if she offers herself to the Prophet” [al-Ahzab 33:50], And He forbade every woman who follows a religion other than Islam and said: "And whosoever disbelieves in Faith, [i.e. in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith i.e. His (Allah's) Angels, Plis Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and AI-Qadar (Divine Preordairunents)], then fruitless is his work; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers” [al- Ma'idah 5:5] and "O Prophet (Muhammad (PBUH))! Verily, We have made lawful to you your wives, to whom you have paid their Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), and those (slaves) whom your right hand possesses - whom Allah has given to you, and the daughters of your 'Arum (paternal uncles) and the daughters of your ‘Armnat (paternal aunts) and the daughters of your Khat (maternal uncles) and the daughters of your Khalal (maternal aunts) who migrated (from Makkah) with you, and a believing woman if she offers herself to the Prophet, and the Prophet wishes to marry her - a privilege for you only, not for the (rest of) the believers” [al-Ahzab 33:50]. And He forbade all other types of women apart from that.

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020