[24.1] This is a chapter which We have sent down and appointed; and in it We have sent
down clear verses in order that you williremember.
[24.2] 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 punishmentkbe witnessed by a party of believers.
[24.3] The fornicator shall marry none but a fornicatress or an idolatress; and the
fornicatress - none shall marry her but a fornicator or an idolater; that is forbidden to the believers.
[24.4] Those who accuse chaste women, and cannot produce four witnesses, you shall
lash them with eighty lashes. And never accept their testimony, for they are evildoers,
[24.5] except those among them that afterwards repent and mend their ways. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[24.6] And those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves, let
them testify by swearing by Allah four times that he is of the truthful,
[24.7] and the fifth time, that the curse of Allah shall be upon him, if he should be of the liars.
[24.8] But the punishment will be averted from her if she swears four times that he is of the liars,
[24.9] and on the fifth time the Wrath of Allah shall be upon her if he is of the truthful.
[24.10] If it were not for the bounty of Allah to you and His Mercy, and that Allah turns, and is the Wise,
[24.11] those who came with the slander were a number of you. Do not regard it evil for
you, rather it is good for you. Every person of them shall have the sin that he has
earned charged to him. As for he who took upon himself the greater part there is a mightier punishment.
[24.12] Had you heard it, and the believing men and women, thought good thoughts
about one another said: 'This is a clear falsehood!'
[24.13] Why, did they not bring four witnesses against it? But since they did not bring
the witnesses, before Allah they are the liars.
[24.14] But for the bounty of Allah and His Mercy towards you in this life and in the
Everlasting Life you would have been sternly punished for that which you were involved.
[24.15] You carried with your tongues and uttered with your mouths what you did not
know. You have thought it a trifle, but before Allah it was a mighty thing.
[24.16] When you heard it, why did you not say: 'It is not right for us to speak of this.
Exaltations to You! This is a mighty slander!'
[24.17] Allah exhorts you never again to repeat the like, if you are believers.
[24.18] Allah makes plain to you His verses, and Allah is the Knower, the Wise.
[24.19] Those who love that indecency should be broadcast about those who believe -
theirs is a painful punishment in this world and in the Everlasting Life. Allah knows, and you do not know.
[24.20] If it was not for the bounty of Allah to you and His Mercy, and Allah is the Gentle, the Most Merciful.
[24.21] Believers, do not follow in the steps of satan, for those who follow the steps of
satan, he bids to indecency and dishonor. But for the bounty of Allah to you, and His
Mercy no one of you would ever have beenvpurified; but Allah purifies whom He will; Allah is the Hearer, the Knower.
