English Translation Of ''THE HOLY QUR'AN''

CHAPTER 24. THE LIGHT (an-Nur)

 In  the  name  of  Allah,  the  Gracious,  the  Merciful 

1. A chapter that We have revealed, and made obligatory, and revealed in it clear Verses, that you may take heed.

2. The adulteress and the adulterer—whip each one of them a hundred lashes, and let no pity towards them overcome you regarding Allah's Law, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment.

3. The adulterer shall marry none but an adulteress or an idolatress; and the adulteress shall marry none but an adulterer or an idolater. That has been prohibited for the believers.

4. Those who accuse chaste women, then cannot bring four witnesses, whip them eighty lashes, and do not ever accept their testimony. For these are the immoral.

5. Except for those who repent afterwards, and reform; for Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

6. As for those who accuse their own spouses, but have no witnesses except themselves, the testimony of one of them is equivalent to four testimonies, if he swears by Allah that he is truthful.

7. And the fifth time, that Allah's curse be upon him, if he is a liar.

8. But punishment shall be averted from her, if she swears four times by Allah, that he is a liar.

9. And the fifth time, that Allah's wrath be upon her, if he is truthful.

10. Were it not for Allah's grace upon you, and His mercy, and that Allah is Conciliatory and Wise.

11. Those who perpetrated the slander are a band of you. Do not consider it bad for you, but it is good for you. Each person among them bears his share in the sin. As for him who played the major role—for him is a terrible punishment.

12. Why, when you heard about it, the believing men and women did not think well of one another, and say, "This is an obvious lie"?

13. Why did they not bring four witnesses to testify to it? If they fail to bring the witnesses, then in Allah's sight, they are liars.

14. Were it not for Allah's favor upon you, and His mercy, in this world and the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great punishment for what you have ventured into.

15. When you rumored it with your tongues, and spoke with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you considered it trivial; but according to Allah, it is serious.

16. When you heard it, you should have said, "It is not for us to repeat this. By Your glory, this is a serious slander."

17. Allah cautions you never to return to the like of it, if you are believers.

18. Allah explains the Verses to you. Allah is Knowing and Wise.

19. Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers—for them is a painful punishment, in this life and in the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.

20. Were it not for Allah's grace upon you, and His mercy, and that Allah is Clement and Merciful.

21. O you who believe! Do not follow Satan's footsteps. Whoever follows Satan's footsteps—he advocates obscenity and immorality. Were it not for Allah's grace towards you, and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever. But Allah purifies whomever He wills. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

22. Those of you who have affluence and means should not refuse to give to the relatives, and the needy, and the emigrants for the sake of Allah. And let them pardon, and let them overlook. Do you not love for Allah to pardon you? Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.