if any of you cannot afford to marry a free believing woman let him marry one of his believing maids whom he possesses. god best knows your faith. you are one of another. so marry them with their owners permission and give them their dower according to what is fair neither committing fornication nor taking secret paramours. and if after they are married they commit adultery they shall have half the punishment prescribed for a free woman. this is for those of you who fear lest he should fall into sin. but that it is better for you to practise self restraint. god is most forgiving and merciful.
ومن لم يستطع منكم طولا أن ينكح المحصنات المؤمنات فمن ما ملكت أيمانكم من فتياتكم المؤمنات والله أعلم بإيمانكم بعضكم من بعض فانكحوهن بإذن أهلهن وآتوهن أجورهن بالمعروف محصنات غير مسافحات ولا متخذات أخدان فإذا أحصن فإن أتين بفاحشة فعليهن نصف ما على المحصنات من العذاب ذلك لمن خشي العنت منكم وأن تصبروا خير لكم والله غفور رحيم