Light (Al-Noor)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ This is a chapter which We have sent down and decreed its commands, and in which We have sent down clear verses, in order that you may ponder. 1 Flog the fornicatress and the fornicator with a hundred lashes each. Let there be no reluctance in enforcing the laws of God, if you have faith in God and the Day of Judgment. Let it take place in the presence of a group of believers. 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 And those who accuse honourable women but bring not four witnesses, scourge them (with) eighty stripes and never (afterward) accept their testimony - They indeed are evil-doers - 4 Excepting those who thereafter shall repent and make amends. Verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 5 And as for those who accuse their own wives [of adultery,] but have no witnesses except themselves, let each of these [accusers] call God four times to witness that he is indeed telling the truth, 6 and the fifth time, that God's curse may be upon him if he is telling a lie. 7 The spouse will be acquitted of the punishment if she challenges his testimony by saying four times, "God is my witness that he is a liar". 8 and a fifth time, that the wrath of God shall be upon her, if he should be of the truthful. 9 And had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy on you (He would have hastened the punishment upon you)! And that Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, the All-Wise. 10