Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ (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 AS FOR the adulteress and the adulterer flog each of them with a hundred stripes, and let not compassion with them keep you from [carrying out] this law of God, if you [truly] believe in God and the Last Day; and let a group of the believers witness their chastisement. 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 Except those who repent thereafter and do righteous deeds, (for such) verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 5 And those who accuse their wives and do not have witnesses except their own statements – for such the testimony is that he bear the testimony four times by the name of Allah that he is truthful. 6 And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie. 7 But the punishment will be averted from her if she swears four times that he is of the liars, 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