Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ This is a chapter which We have sent down and decreed its commands, and in which We have sent down clear verses, in order that you may ponder. 1 The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment. 2 The adulterer marries not but an adulteress or a Mushrikah and the adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a Muskrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely he is either an adulterer, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater, etc.) And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress, etc.)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monotheism). 3 And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever, they indeed are the Fasiqun (liars, rebellious, disobedient to Allah). 4 Except those who repent after this and reform themselves; so indeed Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. 5 And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own,- their solitary evidence (can be received) if they bear witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth; 6 They should say on the fifth time, "Let God's curse be upon me if I am a liar". 7 It shall avert from her the chastisement if she testify by God four times that he is of the liars, 8 And a fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaketh truth. 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