Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ This is a chapter which We have sent down and appointed; and in it We have sent down clear verses in order that you will remember. 1 The adulteress and adulterer should be flogged a hundred lashes each, and no pity for them should deter you from the law of God, if you believe in God and the Last Day; and the punishment should be witnessed by a body of believers. 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 cast it up on women in wedlock, and then bring not four witnesses, scourge them with eighty stripes, and do not accept any testimony of theirs ever; those -- they are the ungodly, 4 Save those who afterward repent and make amends. (For such) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 5 And for those who accuse their wives, but have no witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies (i.e. testifies four times) by Allah that he is one of those who speak the truth. 6 And the fifth [oath will be] that the curse of Allah be upon him if he should be among the liars. 7 But [as for the wife, all] chastisement shall be averted from her by her calling God four times to witness that he is indeed telling a lie, 8 And the fifth (time) that the wrath of Allah be on her if he is one of the truthful. 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