Al-Baqarah: 221
"And do not marry polytheistic women..."
"And do not marry" (wa-lā tankiḥū):
It is also recited with a ḍamma on the tā’ (wa-lā tunkiḥū), meaning: "Do not take them as wives," or "Do not give them in marriage."
"Polytheistic women" (al-mushrikāt):
Those at war with Muslims. It is said that this refers to both polytheistic women at war and the People of the Book, because the People of the Book are among the people of shirk (polytheism), based on the Almighty’s saying: "The Jews say, 'Ezra is the son of Allah,' and the Christians say, 'The Messiah is the son of Allah,'" up to His saying: "Exalted is He above what they associate with Him" (At-Tawbah: 31).
This [prohibition] is abrogated by the Almighty’s saying: "And [lawful to you are] chaste women from those who were given the Scripture before you" (Al-Ma’idah: 5). The entire Surah Al-Ma’idah is definitive; nothing in it has ever been abrogated. This is the opinion of Ibn Abbas and Al-Awza’i.
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent Marthad ibn Abi Marthad al-Ghanawi to Mecca to bring out some Muslims. He had been in love with a woman during the Jahiliyyah named ‘Anaq. She came to him and said, "Will you not spend time with me?" He replied, "Woe to you! Islam has come between us." She said, "Will you marry me?" He said, "Yes, but I must return to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and ask his permission." Then, this verse was revealed:
"And a believing slave woman is better..."
Meaning: A believing woman, whether free or a slave.
"And a believing slave..."
Because all people are the servants and handmaidens of Allah.
"Even if she pleases you..."
Even if the situation is that the polytheistic woman pleases you and you love her, the believing woman is better than her despite that.
"Those..."
A reference to the polytheistic women and men. Meaning: They invite to disbelief, so they deserve neither to be befriended nor to be taken in marriage. There should be nothing between them and the believers except opposition and fighting.
"And Allah invites to Paradise..."
Meaning: The allies of Allah—who are the believers—invite to Paradise.
"And forgiveness..."
And to that which leads to them. They are the ones who must be befriended and taken in marriage, and they must be preferred over others.
"By His permission..."
By Allah’s facilitation and granting of success to perform the deeds through which Paradise and forgiveness are deserved.
Al-Hasan recited "and forgiveness" (wa-l-maghfiratu) in the nominative case, meaning: "And forgiveness is attained by His facilitation."
