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marry)! Now fear Allah and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you
a single right-minded man?" 1575
1575 The Biblical narrative suggests that the daughters were married and their husbands were close by (Gen. xix. 14) and
that these same daughters afterwards committed incest with their father and had children by him (Gen. xix. 31). The
holy Qur-an nowhere suggests such abominations. Some Commentators suggest that "my daughters" in the mouth of
a venerable man like Lut, the father of his people, may mean any young girls of those Towns. "My son" (waladi) is still
a common mode of address in Arabic-speaking countries when an elderly man addresses a young man. (11.78)
11:79 - They said: "Well dost thou know we have no need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest
quite well what we want!"
15:71 - He said: "There are my daughters (to marry). If ye must act (so)." 1994
1994 Cf. xi. 78, n. 1575. "My daughters" in the mouth of a venerable man may mean young girls of the City, which would be
appropriate considering the large number of men who came to besiege Lot's house. (15.71)
16:57 - And they assign daughters for Allah! Glory be to Him! and for themselves (sons the issue)
they desire! 2082
2082 Some of the Pagan Arabs called angels the daughters of Allah. In their own life they hated to have daughters, as
explained in the next two verses. They practised female infanticide. In their state of perpetual war sons were a source
of strength to them; daughters only made them subject to humiliating raids! (16.57)
16:72 - And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature. And made for you
out of them sons and daughters and grandchildren and provided for you sustenance of the
best: will they then believe in vain things and be ungrateful for Allah's favors? 21032104
2104 Hafadat: collective plural, grandchildren, and descendants. The root hafada also implies obedient service and
ministration. Just as the sons (first mentioned) should be a source of strength, so daughters and grandchildren should
serve and contribute to the happiness of fathers and grandparents, and are to be looked upon as further blessings.
(16.72)
17:31 - Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for
you: verily the killing of them is a great sin. 2214
2214 The Arabs were addicted to female infanticide. In a society perpetually at war a son was a
source of strength whereas a daughter was a source of weakness. Even now infanticide is
not unknown in other countries for economic reasons. This crime against children's lives is
here characterised as one of the greatest of sins. (17.31)
17:40 - Has then your Lord (O Pagans!) preferred for you sons and taken for Himself daughters
among the angels? Truly ye utter a most dreadful saying! 2226
28:27 - He said: "I intended to wed one of these my daughters to thee on condition that thou serve
me for eight years; but if thou complete ten years it will be (grace) from thee. But I intend not
to place thee under a difficulty: thou wilt find me indeed if Allah wills one of the righteous." 3357
3357 A little time passed, and at length the father broached the subject of marriage. It was not for the fugitive to suggest a
permanent tie, especially when, in the wealth of this world, the girl's family was superior, and they had an established
position, while he was a mere wanderer. The father asked if he would marry one of the daughters and stay with them
for at least eight years, or if he liked, ten years, but the longer term was at his option. If he brought no dower, his
service for that period was more than sufficient in lieu of dower. The particular girl intended was no doubt tacitly
settled long before, by the mutual attraction of the young hearts themselves. Moses was glad of the proposal, and
accepted it. They ratified it in the most solemn manner, by appealing to Allah. The old man, knowing the worth of his
son-in-law, solemnly assured him that in any event he would not take advantage of his position to be a hard taskmaster
or to insist on anything inconsistent with Moses's interests, should a new future open out to him. And a new
and glorious future was awaiting him after his apprenticeship. (28.27)
33:50 - O Prophet! Lo! We have made lawful unto thee thy wives unto whom thou hast paid their
dowries, and those whom thy right hand possesseth of those whom Allah hath given thee as
spoils of war, and the daughters of thine uncle on the father's side and the daughters of thine
aunts on the father's side, and the daughters of thine uncles on the mother's side emigrated
with thee, and a believing woman if she give herself unto the Prophet and the Prophet desire
to ask her in marriage, a privilege for thee only, not for the (rest of) believers. We are aware of
that which We enjoined upon them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands
possess that thou mayst be free from blame, for Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
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