Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ A sura that We have sent down and appointed; and We have sent down in it signs, clear signs, that haply you will remember. 1 The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment. 2 The adulterer marries not but an adulteress or a Mushrikah and the adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a Muskrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely he is either an adulterer, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater, etc.) And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress, etc.)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monotheism). 3 Those who accuse chaste women, and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers, 4 Unless they repent thereafter and mend (their conduct); for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 5 And (as for) those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves, the evidence of one of these (should be taken) four times, bearing Allah to witness that he is most surely of the truthful ones. 6 And (swear) a fifth time that if he tell a lie the curse of God be on him. 7 The woman's punishment can be averted if she swears four times by God as testimony that her husband is a liar, 8 and the fifth [time,] that God's curse be upon her if he is telling the truth, 9 (This would not have been possible) if the grace and benevolence of God were not upon you; but God is compassionate and wise. 10