Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ (This is) a chapter which We have revealed and made obligatory and in which We have revealed clear communications that you may be mindful. 1 You shall lash the fornicatress and the fornicator each with a hundred lashes. In the religion of Allah, let no tenderness for them seize you if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a party 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 Those who defame chaste women, but cannot produce four witnesses, shall be given eighty lashes. Do not accept their testimony ever after, for they are transgressors, 4 Save those who afterward repent and make amends. (For such) lo! Allah is Forgiving, 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 the fifth [oath will be] that the curse of Allah be upon him if he should be among the liars. 7 But the punishment will be averted from her if she swears four times that he is of the liars, 8 and, a fifth time that God's wrath will be upon her if he is telling the truth. 9 AND WERE it not for God's favour upon you, [O man,] and His grace, and that God is a wise acceptor of repentance...! 10