Chapter 24 - 80
The Light (Surah An-Nur)
(64 verses in total; last year of Makkah)
In the name of Allah, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
This is a Sura (chapter) that We (God) have revealed and made obligatory – therein We have provided clear messages that you may pay attention. The adulterer and the adulteress – flog them each one hundred times. Compassion for them should not get in the way of your serving the laws of God, if you truly believe in God and in the Afterlife. Let a party among the believers witness such a punishment. (v. 1-2)
Such an adulterer cannot have sexual relationship except with an adulteress or an idol worshiper. Similarly, such an adulteress cannot have sexual relationship except with an adulterer or an idol worshipper. Such a behavior is forbidden for a believer! (v. 3)
Those who accuse chaste women and fail to bring four witnesses, flog them eighty times and never consider them trustworthy – they are truly transgressors, unless they genuinely repent afterwards and make amends – for these God is Forgiving, Merciful! (v. 4-5)
Those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses other than themselves, let one of them testify before Allah four times that he speaks the truth and the fifth time, invoke Allah’s rejection of him if he is lying. She will avoid the chastisement if she testifies before Allah four times that her husband is the liar and the fifth time, invoke God’s rejection of her, if he is speaking the truth. It is truly a sign of God’s grace and God’s mercy on you that God is Forgiving, Wise! (v. 6-10)
Surely those who made up this lie1 were a party from among you and considered it good instead of an evil. Every man of them will have his share of the sin while the one who took the leading part will have severe torment. How is it that the faithful men and faithful women, when they heard this news, did not think well of their own kind and said, “This is a clear falsehood!” Why were there not four witnesses to it? Since they could not bring four witnesses, they were truly liars in the sight of Allah. A grievous chastisement would have touched you for the talk you indulged in, except that God’s grace is on you and God’s mercy prevails in this world and in the life to come! (v. 11-14)
When you took up this lie on your tongue and spoke with your mouth, something you had no true knowledge of, you considered it a trivial matter, while in the sight of God it was serious. When you heard it, why did you not say, “It is not appropriate for us to talk of it. By God this is a monstrous accusation!” God warns you not to do this type of accusation ever again, if you truly claim to be faithful. Allah makes clear to you the messages - Allah is Knowing, Wise! (v. 15-18)
Those who love to spread scandals about the believers will suffer serious torments in this life and in the life to come – Allah knows while you do not! It is only a reflection of Allah’s grace on you and His mercy – Allah is Compassionate, Endower of Mercy! (v. 19-20)
O Believers! Do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan. Whoever follows the footsteps of the Devil should know that he only incites indecency and evil. Were it not for Allah’s grace on you and His mercy, none of you would have attained purity. It is Allah Who purifies as He wills – Allah is Hearing, Knowing! Those among you who possess wealth and grace should never swear against giving to the poor, the relatives and those persecuted for following God’s guidance2 Forgive and overlook – do you love that Allah forgives you? Allah is Forgiving, Endower of Mercy! Those who accuse chaste and unwary believing woman are cursed in this world and in the Hereafter and a serious punishment awaits them on a Day when their hands and their feet will give witness against them for what they did. Allah will compensate them fully on that Day and make them realize that Allah is the Evident Truth! (v. 21-25)
Corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men are for corrupt women while good women are for good men and good men are for good women – the good ones are innocent of what is being said against them; they will have forgiveness and an honorable life! (v. 26)
O Believers! Do not enter a house other than your own, until you have asked for permission and conveyed your greeting of peace (salam) to the household. This is a better way if you are mindful. If you find no one there, do not enter until permission is given and if you are told, “Go back”, then go back and maintain your purity. Allah knows what you do. But if the house is uninhabited and you have your necessities in there, then you are not blamed if you enter. Allah knows what you do in public and in secret! (v. 27-29)
Say (Prophet) to the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their chastity – this is closer to purity. God is fully aware of what they do! And say to the believing women to lower their gaze, protect their chastity and not to display their charm (jinatahunnah) except what is ordinarily visible, to draw their headcover (bi-khumurihinna) over their bosoms, and not display their charm except to their (1) husband, (2) their father, (3) their husbands’ father, (4) their sons, (5) their husbands’ sons, (6) their brothers, (7) their brothers’ sons, (8) their sisters’ sons, (9) their women, (10) servants, (11) male attendants who lack desires (for women) and (12) children yet unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stamp their feet to reveal hidden charms.
O believers! Seek Allah’s forgiveness, all together (male and female) – that you can achieve success! (v. 30-31)
Marry off those who are single and those who are capable among your male and female slaves. If you are poor, Allah will enrich you out of His grace. Allah is infinite in His resources and is fully aware! Let those who can’t afford a mate remain chaste and Allah will enrich them. Those of your slaves who desire freedom give them in writing if you feel they are capable and gift them from the wealth that Allah had blessed you with. Do not force your slave girls into prostitution if they wish to remain chaste to gain fleeting pleasure of this world. If they are forced, then Allah is Forgiving, Endower of Mercy! (v. 32-33)
We have indeed sent you clear messages and a narration of those who have gone before you – to caution and to admonish those who wish to act responsibly and be righteous. (v. 34)
Allah is the light (noor) of the heavens and the earth – the likeness of His light is like the lamp in a niche, the lamp being surrounded by glass sparkling like a shining bright star, lit from a blessed olive tree – neither from the East or the West, the oil giving out light without fire ever touching it – light within light! Allah guides to His light whomever He pleases! Allah sets up such parables for people – Allah knows all things! Light shining out from houses of worship where Allah is honored and His names remembered day and night as these devoted people glorify God, not distracted by merchandise or profit and keep up the devotional worship (salat), purify their wealth (zakat) and are fearful of a Day when the hearts and eyes will roil over. Allah wishes to give them rewards for what they do and give more out of His grace. Allah makes provisions beyond measure for whom He is pleased with! (v. 35-38)
But for the disbelievers, their life and their acts are like a mirage in a desert where the thirsty may run for water but when he comes to it, he finds nothing, but Allah instead! Who pays him his dues – Allah is ever swift in retribution! (Or his condition) if like darkness in deep sea where a wave covers him, with layers of waves and cloud – darkness beyond darkness – he holds out his hand but can hardly see it. Whoever Allah deprives of light, will find no light! (v. 39-40)
Do you not see that all those who are in the heavens and the earth glorify Allah, even birds with wings spread out? Each knows its mode of prayer (salat) and glorifications (tasbiha)! Allah knows what they do. The kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah and to Allah is the eventual return! (v. 41-42)
Do you not see that it is Allah Who drives the clouds, gathers them together and piles them up on top of one another so that you see rain pouring down from among them? God sends from heavens and from mountains hailstorms that afflict whom God pleases and leave untouched whom God pleases – the flash from such lightning almost blinds you! Allah causes the night and the day to alternate, giving lessons for those who wish to see! Allah created animals from its fluid3 such that some of them crawls on their bellies, others walk on their two feet, while others walk on four feet – Allah creates as He pleases! Allah has power over all things! (v. 43-45)
We have indeed revealed messages that are clear. Allah guides whom He please to the Straight Path. They confirm, “We believe in Allah and the Messenger, and we obey,” yet a party of them turn away after such affirmation and prove themselves to be unbelievers. When they are invited to Allah and to His Messenger so that judgment can be render, a party of them refuse, unless they feel judgement will be in their favor, then they hasten to comply. Do they have sickness in their hearts? Are they in doubt? Do they fear that Allah and His Messenger will deal with them unjustly? But it is they who are unjust. (v. 46-50)
The response of the faithful when they are invited to Allah and to His Messenger so that he may judge between them is that they say, “We hear, and we obey” – such are the successful ones! Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, is mindful of Allah and acts responsibility towards Him – these are the true achievers! (Whereas the hypocrites,) they swear with their strongest oath that if you command them, they will certainly go forth (for battle). Tell them, “No swearing is necessary, just follow with sincerity!” Allah knows exactly what you do and how you act. Say (Prophet), “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger,” but if you refuse, then know that he is responsible for the duty imposed on him and you are responsible for the duty imposed on you, but if you obey, then you are on the right guidance. The duty of the Messenger is to simply deliver the message. (v. 51-54)
Allah’s promise to those who believe and do good is that He will make them successors on this earth as God did for those before them, secure for them their faith that God has chosen for them and give them security after fear. They should serve Me and associate none with Me. Whoever shows ungratefulness after this, they are the true transgressors! Keep up devotional prayers (salat), purify your wealth (zakat) and obey the Messenger such that true mercy can be bestowed on you! Do not think that the disbelievers and the ungrateful will prevent (God’s plan)4 for the earth – their residence is in the Fire, and it is an evil resort! (v. 55-57)
O Believers! Those who serve you in the household and those who have not attained puberty should ask your permission on three occasions – (1) before morning prayer, (2) during noon heat when you set aside your attire, and (3) after the Isha prayer when you retire – these are times of privacy for you. Outside of that there is no blame as you go around attending to each other’s needs. This is how Allah makes things clear for you. Allah is Knowing, Wise! For children who have attained puberty, they should seek permission as those before them sought such permissions. This is how Allah makes things clear for you. Allah is Knowing, Wise! As for women who are elderly and have no desire for marriage5, it is no blame if they were to take off their outer layers without flaunting their bodily charms or ornaments but if they keep themselves covered, it is better for them. Allah is Hearing, Knowing! (v. 58-60)
There is no blame on the blind, the lame, the sick or yourselves that you eat in your own houses, or houses of your fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, paternal uncles and aunts, maternal uncles and aunts, or houses whose keys are in your possession or the houses of your friends. 6There is also no blame if you eat together or alone. But when you enter houses, always greet its inhabitants with a godly salutation of blessing, purity, and sincerity! This is how Allah makes things clear so that you can comprehend! (v. 61)
True believers – those who believe in Allah and His Messenger – never go away without asking permission to take leave of the Prophet when called to discuss important matters. The true believers in Allah and His Messenger ask permission of you (Prophet) to attend their own affairs – you may give them permission as you see fit and invoke God’s forgiveness for them. Allah is Forgiving, Endower of Mercy! Do not consider a call from the Prophet like your mutual calling amongst yourselves. Allah knows who leaves such meeting surreptitiously without seeking permission and whoever goes against his orders, perhaps should beware that a trial or affliction may inflict them. (v. 62-63)
Know that all that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah and He knows your condition. The Day when you return to God, God will inform you all that you did. Allah is in the know over all things! (v. 64)
1 An accusation made against Aisha, Prophet’s wife regarding her chastity during an expedition in the 5th year after migration to Madinah.
2 This was in reference to Abu Bakr who was grieved by Mistah, a relative who participated in spreading lies about his daughter and prophet’s wife, Aisha, and swore not to support him anymore, as he supported such relatives and other Muslims persecuted for their faith.
3 See also 21:30 where it specifically mentions that all creation is from water (al-ma’i), while in this verse animals are mentioned to be created from (their specific) fluids, a slight distinction in the use of the word “m’a”, commonly used for water.
4 The notion that the deniers can prevail over God’s plan (they will attempt for sure) is refuted in several places in the Qur’an as in here – 8:59, 9:2-3, 11:20, 29:22, 35:44, 42:31, 46:32, 72:12.
5 This perhaps further qualifies verse 33:59.
6 This verse is a broad statement of openness and reduced formalities among close relatives and friends, countering some prevailing social customs (such as never to eat alone) and puts at ease those who are lame, blind, or sick who might feel uncomfortable joining in the meal or gatherings in such houses. Some commentators make references to verse 4:29 which may seem overly restraining, depending on which verse was revealed first.
