Re: Concubines
The best way IMO to understand it is taking it out of isolation and view it under the bigger context of what is permitted or not permitted in Islam. A few things we know that subtely relate to intercourse:
1 - Fornication is haram and a punishable offense.
2 - Adultery is haram and a punishable offense.
3 - Rape is haram and a punishable offense.
All three involve sexual intercourse. The first two are out of consent of both parties whereas the third does not involve consent but coercion.
In the Islamic period during Arabia (consider just during the Prophet SAW period), having servants or slaves was not restricted to Married people. Unmarried people could also own slaves. There is no restriction mentioned anywhere in our scriptures for this.
What does our religion advise unmarried people who do not have the means to marry. It says fast or control your desire. There is no mention of right hand possessions for them niether in the Quran or Hadith. If sexual relations with slaves was allowed out of wedlock with them would they not be the first ones to benefit from this relaxation?
Consentual intercourse out of wedlock falls under fornication in our religion and hence it is punishable. What the verses are talking about is from whom marital candidates can be chosen. Right hand possessions fall under that category. The verse you have emboldened is talking about marriage and indicating that the Prophet SAW can marry from his right hand possessions. What you are missing is that the verses are not talking about intercourse but marriage. Its discussing what categories of women are lawful for marriage not lawful for just intercourse without the context of marriage.