An-Nur
24:33

An-Nur · Ayah 33

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Translation

And let be chaste

Word Breakdown

وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ

And let be chaste

Word Breakdown

وHarf · Conjunction

Conjunction: connects words, phrases, or clauses

and

لْHarf · Imperative particle

Imperative particle: indicates a command in third person

let

يسْتعْففFi'l · Verb
3rd personMasculineSingularPresentForm ((X))Jussive
Rootعفف
Rare

to be chaste, restrain oneself

Lemmaيَسْتَعْفِفْ

Verb (form X) - to refrain, to be chaste

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Grammar Rules

Jussive verb
وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ (And let be chaste) is in the jussive mood — it comes after لم ("did not") or a conditional word, which shortens its ending.
We translate it as "did not [verb]" or as part of a condition.
Verb form X — seeking/requesting
وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ (And let be chaste) uses form X (إِسْتَفْعَلَ) — it means seeking or asking for the action.
We translate it as "to seek [action]" or "to ask for [action]".
Conjunction وَ (and)
وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ (And let be chaste) starts with وَ, the most common Arabic word — it means "and".
We add "and" to connect this to what came before.

Sahih International

But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allāh enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allāh which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allāh is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.

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