Light (Al-Noor)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ (This is) a chapter which We have revealed and made obligatory and in which We have revealed clear communications that you may be mindful. 1 The woman and the man guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. (This punishment is for unmarried persons guilty of the above crime but if married persons commit it, the punishment is to stone them to death, according to Allah's Law). 2 The fornicator shall not marry any but a fornicatress or idolatress, and (as for) the fornicatress, none shall marry her but a fornicator or an idolater; and it is forbidden to 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 save those who afterwards repent and make amends, for truly God is forgiving and merciful. 5 And those who accuse their wives [of adultery] and have no witnesses except themselves - then the witness of one of them [shall be] four testimonies [swearing] by Allah that indeed, he is of the truthful. 6 And (swear) a fifth time that if he tell a lie the curse of God be on him. 7 But the punishment will be averted from her if she swears four times that he is of the liars, 8 And the fifth time, that the wrath of Allah be upon her if the man is truthful. 9 Were it not for God's grace and His mercy upon you, [you would have come to grief] and God is wise, acceptor of repentance. 10