Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ (Here is) a surah which We have revealed and enjoined, and wherein We have revealed plain tokens, that haply ye may take heed. 1 Flog the fornicatress and the fornicator with a hundred lashes each. Let there be no reluctance in enforcing the laws of God, if you have faith in God and the Day of Judgment. Let it take place in the presence of a group 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 excepting [from this interdict] only those who afterwards repent and made amends: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace. 5 As for those who accuse their own wives but have no witness except themselves, the evidence of one of them is that he shall swear four times by Allah and declare that he is true (in his charge). 6 and the fifth time, that the curse of Allah shall be upon him, if he should be of the liars. 7 But it shall avert the punishment (of stoning to death) from her, if she bears witness four times by Allah, that he (her husband) is telling a lie. 8 And the fifth that Allah's wrath be upon her if he is of the truthtellers. 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