The Majestic Quran

T 1 This is a chapter that We sent down with laws to be obeyed, and We revealed clear verses so you will pay attention. 2 Flog the fornicators , 24 male and female, each of them one-hundred lashes, and don’t let sympathy for them hold you back from fulfilling God’s orders, if you believe in God and the Last Day; and let a group of believers witness their punishment. 3 A male fornicator only marries a female fornicator or an idolatress; a female fornicator only marries a male fornicator or an idolater; and fornication is forbidden for the believers . 25 T 4 Those who accuse chaste women of fornication , 26 but fail to produce four witnesses, should be flogged eighty lashes; and never accept their witness statement again. They are major sinners , 27 5 except those who later repent and reform themselves. God is Forgiving, Kind. 6 Anyone who accuses his wife but has no witnesses other than himself, let him swear four times by God: he is telling the truth, 7 and the fifth time he says, God’s curse be upon him if he is lying. 8 Punishment will be averted from her if she also swears by God four times that he is lying, 9 and the fifth time that God’s wrath be upon her if he is telling the truth. 10 Imagine the consequences , if it were not for God’s grace towards you and His kindness. God is Relenting, Wise. T A , M B 11 Those who planned the slander were a handful of you, don’t consider it bad for you; in fact, it’s good for you . 28 Each person among them will bear the consequence of his part in the sin; and the one who played the leading role will receive a mighty punishment. 12 If once they heard it – the believers, male and female – of their own accord should have thought the best of Aisha and said, “This is clearly a slander.” 13 If they had produced four witnesses, it would be different ; but they failed to produce the witnesses, in God’s sight they are liars. T A , M B ; N 14 Were it not for God’s grace towards you and His kind treatment in this world and the Hereafter, then a mighty punishment would have affected you all because of the rumour you rushed to spread. 15 You gave it