33:51-52
33:51
Thou mayest defer (the turn of) any of them that thou pleasest, and thou mayest receive any thou
pleasest: and there is no blame on thee if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside. This were
nigher to the cooling of their eyes, the prevention of their grief, and their
satisfaction – that of all of them – with that which thou hast to give them: and Allah knows (all)that is in
your hearts: and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.
33:52
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 (ashandmaidens):
and Allah doth watch over all things.
This verse, revealed approximately seven years after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijrah) to Medina, placed a restriction on him by prohibiting marriage to any additional free women beyond those he had already married. An exception was made for female slaves whom he was permitted to marry. Historical reports indicate that Maria al-Qibṭiyyah (Maria the Copt), who had been sent as a gift by the ruler of Egypt, later became associated with the Prophet and bore him a son named Ibrāhīm. The child, however, died during infancy.
References:
Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 829). Unknown. Kindle Edition.