Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-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 adulteress and the adulterer, each one of them, with a hundred lashes. Let no pity for them cause you to disobey God, if you truly believe in God and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a number of believers. 2 [Both are equally guilty:] the adulterer couples with none other than an adulteress - that is, a woman who accords [to her own lust] a place side by side with God; and with the adulteress couples none other than an adulterer - that is, a man who accords [to his own lust] a place side by side with God: and this is forbidden unto the believers. 3 And as for those who accuse chaste women [of adultery,] and then are unable to produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation,] flog them with eighty stripes and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony - since it is they, they that are truly depraved! 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 there are not for them witnesses except themselves, the testimony of one of them shall be four testimonies by Allah: that verily he is of the truth-tellers 6 and a fifth time, that the curse of God shall be upon him, if he should be of the liars. 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 she invokes Allah's wrath upon herself, if he be true (in his charge). 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