lā junāḥa ʿalay-: no burden upon X
فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ
fa-lā junāḥa ʿalayhi — then there is no burden upon him
A fixed negative formula, فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْـ 'then there is no burden upon…', whose only variable part in the verses given is the attached pronoun, while what follows the formula shifts between an action clause, a prepositional phrase, a noun phrase resuming a list, or nothing at all. The formula removes a potential sense of burden or blame from an act that a stated condition or context might otherwise have made doubtful.
In the verses given, the frame consists of the negative particle, the accusative masculine noun junāḥ ('burden'), and the preposition ʿalā with an attached pronoun; the pronoun is the only element that changes inside the frame itself. In (2:158) the pronoun is third masculine singular, and the formula licenses an act of going repeatedly around/between the Safa and the Marwah. In (2:229), (2:230), (2:233) and (4:128) the pronoun is third dual, and the formula covers two parties acting together: a woman ransoming herself (2:229), the two returning to one another after a stated divorce (2:230), two who want a separation from suckling by mutual approval and consultation (2:233), and a husband and wife setting things right with a reconciliation (4:128). In (2:233), (2:234) and (4:23) the pronoun is second masculine plural, addressing a group: having children suckled by another when they hand over what they gave (2:233), what widows do concerning themselves after reaching their term (2:234), and the case where no consummation has taken place (4:23). In (33:51) the pronoun is second masculine singular, addressed to one who sought someone he had set apart. The formula is consistently conditional in effect: each occurrence is tied to a stated situation ('if…', 'when…', 'so long as…'), and it declares that in that situation no burden attaches. What follows the frame varies in form: an anna-clause with a subjunctive (2:158, 2:230, 4:128), a fīmā-clause (2:229, 2:234), an idhā-clause (2:233, second occurrence), a noun phrase resuming the list of forbidden categories in (4:23) (وَحَلَٰٓئِلُ, 'and the spouses of your sons'), and nothing at all in (33:51) and in the first occurrence in (2:233).
Where it occurs
- 2:158 Removes burden from the act of going repeatedly around/between the Safa and the Marwah for whoever ḥajja the House or iʿtamara.
- 2:229 Removes burden from the two of them concerning that with which she ransoms herself, when the limits of Allah are feared not to be upheld.
- 2:230 Removes burden from the two of them returning to one another after her marriage to another spouse ends, if they think they can uphold the limits of Allah.
- 2:233 First of two occurrences in the verse: removes burden from the two of them wanting a separation from suckling by mutual approval and consultation.
- 2:233 Second occurrence: removes burden from you (pl.) having your children suckled by another, when you hand over what you have given in accordance with what is recognized as right.
- 2:234 Removes burden from you (pl.) regarding what the widows do concerning themselves once they reach their term.
- 4:23 Removes burden from you (pl.) regarding step-daughters when you have not entered into the women (their mothers).
- 4:128 Removes burden from the two of them setting things right with a reconciliation when a woman fears arrogance or turning away from her husband.
- 33:51 Removes burden from you (sg.) for seeking whomever you sought from among those you had set apart; nothing follows the formula.
All Qur'anic expressions