Revealed in Madinah, Surah An-Nur (The Light) establishes crucial legislative and moral guidelines designed to safeguard the purity, privacy, and integrity of the Muslim family and society. It sets down strict laws regarding sexual misconduct, false accusations of adultery, and the process of mutual oath-swearing (Lian), while establishing the requirement for seeking permission before entering homes. The chapter contains the famous verse of Light (Ayat-an-Nur), depicting the spiritual guidance of God as a radiant niche containing a shining glass lamp, symbolizing the clarity and warmth of divine truth. In stark contrast, it compares the deeds of disbelievers to a mirage in a desert or deep darkness in a vast ocean. The Surah also outlines etiquette for modest dress and interactions between genders, emphasizing that a healthy society must be built upon spiritual light, moral accountability, and clean social structures.
Transliteration
Sooratun anzalnaha wafaradnaha waanzalna feeha ayatin bayyinatin laAAallakum tathakkaroona
Translation
A chapter that We have revealed, and made obligatory, and revealed in it clear Verses, that you may take heed
Transliteration
Alzzaniyatu waalzzanee faijlidoo kulla wahidin minhuma miata jaldatin wala takhuthkum bihima rafatun fee deeni Allahi in kuntum tuminoona biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri walyashhad AAathabahuma taifatun mina almumineena
Translation
The adulteress and the adulterer—whip each one of them a hundred lashes, and let no pity towards them overcome you regarding God’s Law, if you believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment
Transliteration
Alzzanee la yankihu illa zaniyatan aw mushrikatan waalzzaniyatu la yankihuha illa zanin aw mushrikun wahurrima thalika AAala almumineena
Translation
The adulterer shall marry none but an adulteress or an idolatress; and the adulteress shall marry none but an adulterer or an idolater. That has been prohibited for the believers
Transliteration
Waallatheena yarmoona almuhsanati thumma lam yatoo biarbaAAati shuhadaa faijlidoohum thamaneena jaldatan wala taqbaloo lahum shahadatan abadan waolaika humu alfasiqoona
Translation
Those who accuse chaste women, then cannot bring four witnesses, whip them eighty lashes, and do not ever accept their testimony. For these are the immoral
Transliteration
Illa allatheena taboo min baAAdi thalika waaslahoo fainna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
Translation
Except for those who repent afterwards, and reform; for God is Forgiving and Merciful
Transliteration
Waallatheena yarmoona azwajahum walam yakun lahum shuhadao illa anfusuhum fashahadatu ahadihim arbaAAu shahadatin biAllahi innahu lamina alssadiqeena
Translation
As for those who accuse their own spouses, but have no witnesses except themselves, the testimony of one of them is equivalent to four testimonies, if he swears by God that he is truthful
Transliteration
Waalkhamisatu anna laAAnata Allahi AAalayhi in kana mina alkathibeena
Translation
And the fifth time, that God’s curse be upon him, if he is a liar
Transliteration
Wayadrao AAanha alAAathaba an tashhada arbaAAa shahadatin biAllahi innahu lamina alkathibeena
Translation
But punishment shall be averted from her, if she swears four times by God, that he is a liar
Transliteration
Waalkhamisata anna ghadaba Allahi AAalayha in kana mina alssadiqeena
Translation
And the fifth time, that God’s wrath be upon her, if he is truthful
Transliteration
Walawla fadlu Allahi AAalaykum warahmatuhu waanna Allaha tawwabun hakeemun
Translation
Were it not for God’s grace upon you, and His mercy, and that God is Conciliatory and Wise
Transliteration
Inna allatheena jaoo bialifki AAusbatun minkum la tahsaboohu sharran lakum bal huwa khayrun lakum likulli imriin minhum ma iktasaba mina alithmi waallathee tawalla kibrahu minhum lahu AAathabun AAatheemun
Translation
Those who perpetrated the slander are a band of you. Do not consider it bad for you, but it is good for you. Each person among them bears his share in the sin. As for him who played the major role—for him is a terrible punishment
Transliteration
Lawla ith samiAAtumoohu thanna almuminoona waalmuminatu bianfusihim khayran waqaloo hatha ifkun mubeenun
Translation
Why, when you heard about it, the believing men and women did not think well of one another, and say, “This is an obvious lie”
Transliteration
Lawla jaoo AAalayhi biarbaAAati shuhadaa faith lam yatoo bialshshuhadai faolaika AAinda Allahi humu alkathiboona
Translation
Why did they not bring four witnesses to testify to it? If they fail to bring the witnesses, then in God’s sight, they are liars
Transliteration
Walawla fadlu Allahi AAalaykum warahmatuhu fee alddunya waalakhirati lamassakum fee ma afadtum feehi AAathabun AAatheemun
Translation
Were it not for God’s favor upon you, and His mercy, in this world and the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great punishment for what you have ventured into
Transliteration
Ith talaqqawnahu bialsinatikum wataqooloona biafwahikum ma laysa lakum bihi AAilmun watahsaboonahu hayyinan wahuwa AAinda Allahi AAatheemun
Translation
When you rumored it with your tongues, and spoke with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you considered it trivial; but according to God, it is serious
Transliteration
Walawla ith samiAAtumoohu qultum ma yakoonu lana an natakallama bihatha subhanaka hatha buhtanun AAatheemun
Translation
When you heard it, you should have said, “It is not for us to repeat this. By Your glory, this is a serious slander.”
Transliteration
YaAAithukumu Allahu an taAAoodoo limithlihi abadan in kuntum mumineena
Translation
God cautions you never to return to the like of it, if you are believers
Transliteration
Wayubayyinu Allahu lakumu alayati waAllahu AAaleemun hakeemun
Translation
God explains the Verses to you. God is Knowing and Wise
Transliteration
Inna allatheena yuhibboona an tasheeAAa alfahishatu fee allatheena amanoo lahum AAathabun aleemun fee alddunya waalakhirati waAllahu yaAAlamu waantum la taAAlamoona
Translation
Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers—for them is a painful punishment, in this life and in the Hereafter. God knows, and you do not know
Transliteration
Walawla fadlu Allahi AAalaykum warahmatuhu waanna Allaha raoofun raheemun
Translation
Were it not for God’s grace upon you, and His mercy, and that God is Clement and Merciful