Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)

24 and married women
excepting your slave-women.
This is Allah’s ordinance for you.
As to others than these, it is lawful for you
to seek [union with them] with your wealth,
in wedlock, not in license.
For the enjoyment you have had from them thereby,
give them their dowries, by way of settlement,
and there is no sin upon you
in what you may agree upon after the settlement.
Indeed Allah is all-knowing, all-wise.
25 As for those of you who cannot afford
to marry faithful free women,
then [let them marry] from what you own,
from among your faithful slave-women.
Your faith is best known [only] to Allah;
you are all [on a] similar [footing].
So marry them with their masters’ permission,
and give them their dowries in an honourable manner
— [such of them] as are chaste women,
not licentious ones or those who take paramours.
But on marrying, should they commit an indecent act,
then there shall be for them
[only] half the punishment for free women.
This is for those of you who fear falling into fornication;
but it is better that you be continent,¹
and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.
26 Allah desires to explain [the laws] to you,