tively and negatively.
In the first place, it recognizes marriage as the only legal condition
of the union of both sexes. Marriage was also enjoined with the existing
female slaves. (_Vide_ Sura IV, 3, 29; and XXIV, 32, 33.) The prevention
of concubinage is set forth in plain terms in Sura V, 7. The verses run
thus:--

3. "And if ye are apprehensive that ye shall not deal fairly with
orphans, then of _other_ women who seem good in your eyes marry,
_but_ two or three or four, and if ye _still_ fear that ye shall
not act equitably, then (marry) one only; or (marry) the slaves
whom ye have acquired. This will be more proper that ye may not
have numerous families or households. And give women their dowry as
a free gift; but if of their own free will they kindly give up
aught thereof to you, then enjoy it as convenient _and_
profitable."

29. "And whoever of you is not rich enough to marry free-believing
women, then let him marry such of your believing maidens as have
fallen into your hands as slaves. God well knoweth your faith. Ye
are sprung, the one from the other. Marry them then with the leave
of their masters, and give them a fair dower; but let them be
chaste and free from fornication, and not entertainers of
lovers."--Sura IV.

32. "And marry those among you who are single, and your good
servants and your handmaidens. If they are poor, God of his bounty
will enrich them. And God is all-bounteous, knowing. And let those
who cannot find a match live in continence till God of his bounty
shall enrich them."

33. "And to those of your slaves who desire a deed of
_manumission_, execute it for them, if ye know good in them, and
give them a portion of the wealth of God which He hath given
you."--Sura XXIV. "And _you are permitted to marry_ virtuous women,
who are believers, and virtuous women of those who have been given
the Scriptures before you, when you have provided them their
portions, living _chastely with them_ without fornication, and not
taking concubines."--Sura V.

The 28th verse of the fourth Sura does by no means sanction concubinage.
It has nothing to do with it. It only treats of marriage. It, together
with its preceding verse, points out whom we can marry and whom not. Its
next verse interdicts concubinage when it enjoins marriage with the then
existing slaves