An-Nur | The Light
[24:1] This is a Surah We have sent down and enjoined, and sent down in it clear signs, so that you may receive the advice.
[24:2] The fornicating woman and the fornicating man, flog each one of them with one hundred stripes. No pity for them should prevail upon you in the matter of Allah‘s religion if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day, and a group of believers must witness their punishment.
[24:3] A man who is fornicator does not (like to) marry but a woman who is a fornicator or a polytheist; and a woman who is a fornicator does not (like to) marry but a man who is a fornicator or a polytheist. And this (i.e. preferring to marry such spouses) has been prohibited for the believers.
[24:4] Those who accuse the chaste women (of fornication), but they do not produce four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes and do not accept their any evidence anymore. They are the sinners,
[24:5] except those who repent afterward and mend their ways; then, Allah is All-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:6] Those who accuse their wives (of adultery) while they have no witnesses except their own selves, then the evidence of one of them would be to swear four oaths by Allah that he is truthful,
[24:7] and the fifth (oath) that Allah‘s curse is on him if he is one of the liars.
[24:8] And it will remove the punishment from the woman if she swears four oaths by Allah that he (the accuser husband) is certainly one of the liars,
[24:9] and the fifth (oath) that Allah‘s wrath is on her if he is one of the truthful.
[24:10] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, and (had it not been) that Allah is Most-Relenting, AllWise, (you would have faced severe hardships).
[24:11] Those who have come up with the false imputation are a gang among you. Do not think it is bad for you; rather, it is good for you. Every one of them is liable for what he earned of the sin. And the one who played the major role in it, for him there is a mighty punishment.
[24:12] Why – when you (O believers) heard of it – did the believing men and the believing women not think well about their own selves, and (why did they not) say, This is a manifest lie.
[24:13] Why did they (the accusers) not bring four witnesses to prove this? So, as they did not bring the witnesses, they are the liars in the sight of Allah.
[24:14] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, a severe punishment would have reached you for what you indulged in –
[24:15] when you were welcoming it with your tongues and were saying with your mouths something of which you had no knowledge, and we’re taking it as a trivial matter, while in the sight of Allah it was grave.
[24:16] And why, when you heard of it, did you not say, It is not for us to speak about this. Pure are You (O Allah). This is a terrible calumny.
[24:17] Allah admonishes you never to repeat something like this if you are believers.
[24:18] Allah makes the signs clear to you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:19] Surely, those who like that lewdness spreads among the believers, for them, there is painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.
[24:20] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, and that Allah is Very-Kind, Very-Merciful (you would have been destroyed).
[24:21] O you who believe, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan, (should know that) he orders (one to commit) shameful acts and evil deeds. Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills. Allah is AllHearing, All-Knowing.
[24:22] The men of grace and wealth among you should not swear against giving (their charitable gifts) to the kinsmen and the poor and to those who have migrated in the way of Allah, and they should forgive and forego. Do you not like that Allah forgives you? Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:23] Surely, those who level a false charge against the chaste, naive, and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and for them, there is a mighty punishment.
[24:24] on the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs will testify against themselves of what they used to do.
[24:25] On that day Allah will give them their rightful recompense in full, and they will know that Allah is the Very Truth who makes all things manifest.
[24:26] Vile women are for vile men, and vile men are for vile women, and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those are free from what they (the accusers) say. For them, there is forgiveness and a graceful provision.
[24:27] O you who believe, do not enter any houses, other than your own houses unless you seek permission and greet their inmates with Salam. That is good for you, so that you may be heedful.
[24:28] We did not send you (O prophet,) but to the entire mankind, as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know.
[24:29] There is no sin on you if you enter uninhabited houses in which you have rightful benefit. Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
[24:30] Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts; it is more decent for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
[24:31] And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no (sexual) urge, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known. And repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success.
[24:32] Arrange the marriage of the spouseless among you, and the capable from among your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His grace. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.
[24:33] And those who cannot afford marriage should keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His grace. And those of your slaves who wish to enter the contract of Kitabah (emancipation by paying money), contract Kitabah with
them, if you recognize some good in them. And give them out of the wealth of Allah that He has given to you. And do not compel your maids to prostitution – if they wish to observe chastity in order that you may seek the temporary benefit of the worldly life. If one compels them, then after their being compelled, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:34] Indeed We have sent down to you enlightening verses, and an exemplary description of those who passed away before you, and a good counsel for the God-fearing.
[24:35] Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is that of a niche, in which there is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass – the glass looks like a brilliant star – it is lit by (the oil of) a blessed tree, the olive, which is neither eastern nor western. Its oil is about to emit light even though the fire has not touched it – (it is) light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomsoever He wills; Allah describes examples for the people, and Allah knows everything well.
[24:36] (The guided people worship Allah) in the houses that Allah has permitted to be raised, and where His name is recounted and His purity is pronounced, in the morning and in the evening,
[24:37] by the men whom no trade or sale makes neglectful of the remembrance of Allah, nor from establishing Salah and paying Zakah; they are fearful of a day in which the hearts and the eyes will be overturned.
[24:38] The fate (of such people) is that Allah will reward them for the best deeds they did, and will give them more out of His grace. Allah gives whom He wills without counting.
[24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert plain, which a thirsty person deems to be water, until when he comes to it, he finds it nothing, and finds (the decree of) Allah with him, so He pays him his account in full. Allah is swift at reckoning.
[24:40] Or (their deeds) are like layers of darkness in a vast deep sea overwhelmed by a wave, above which there is another wave, above which there are clouds – layers of darkness, one above the other. When one puts forth his hand, he can hardly see it; and the one to whom Allah does not give light can have no light at all.
[24:41] Did you not realize that purity of Allah is proclaimed by all those in the heavens and the earth, and by the birds with their wings spread out? Everyone knows one‘s own (way of) praying (to Allah) and one‘s own (way of) proclaiming Allah‘s purity. And Allah knows well what they do.
[24:42] To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and towards Allah is the final return.
[24:43] Do you not realize that Allah drives the clouds, then joins them together, then turns them into a heap? Then you see the rain coming out from their midst. He sends down from the sky mountains (of clouds) having hail in them, then He afflicts with it whomsoever He wills and turns it away from whomsoever He wills. The flash of its lightning seems to snatch away the eyes.
[24:44] Allah alternates the night and the day. Surely, in that, there is a lesson for those who have eyes to see.
[24:45] Allah has created every moving creature from water. So, some of them move on their bellies; and some of them move on two legs, and some of them move on four. Allah creates what He wills. Surely, Allah is powerful over everything.
[24:46] We have surely sent down enlightening verses, and Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.
[24:47] They say, “We have believed in Allah and in the messenger, and have adopted obedience”, then a group from them goes back after all this. Those are no believers.
[24:48] When they are summoned to Allah and His messenger that he (the messenger) may judge between them, in no time a group of them turns averse.
[24:49] And if the right is theirs, they would come to him as (if they are) submissive ones.
[24:50] Is there a malady in their hearts or do they have doubt or do they fear that Allah and His messenger will do injustice to them? Rather they themselves are unjust.
[24:51] The only reply of the (true) believers, when they are summoned to Allah and His messenger that he (the messenger) may judge between them, is that they say, We listen and obey. Such people are successful.
[24:52] Whoever obeys Allah and His messenger and has awe of Him and observes Taqwa for His sake, then such people are victorious.
[24:53] And they (the hypocrites) swear by Allah on forceful oaths that if you (O prophet) order them, they will certainly leave (their homes for Jihad ). Say, “do not swear, (the reality of your) obedience is known. Indeed Allah is fully aware of what you do”.
[24:54] Say, “Obey Allah and obey the messenger. But if you turn away, then on him (the messenger) lies (the responsibility of) what he is burdened with, and on you lies (the responsibility of) what you are burdened with. And if you obey him, you will get the right path. The duty of the Messenger is no more than to convey the message clearly”.
[24:55] Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them (His) vicegerents in the land, as He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear in which they were before; (provided that) they worship Me, ascribing no partner to Me. And those who turn infidel after that are the transgressors.
[24:56] Establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey the messenger, so that you may be favored with mercy.
[24:57] Never think that the disbelievers are (able) to frustrate (Allah‘s plan) on the earth. Their abode is the Fire. Indeed it is an evil terminus.
[24:58] “O you who believe, the slaves owned by you, and those of you who have not reached puberty, must seek your permission (to see you) at three times: before the prayer of Fajr, and when you take off your clothes at noon, and after the prayer of Isha”. These are three times of privacy for you. There is no harm, neither to you nor to them, after these (three times). They are your frequent visitors, as some of you are (frequent visitors) of the others. This is how Allah explains the verses to you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:59] When the children from among you reach puberty, they must seek permission, as the permission is sought by those before them. This is how Allah explains His verses to you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:60] And those old women who have no hope for marriage, there is no sin on them, if they take off their (extra) clothes while they do not display their adornment. Still, that they refrain (even from this) is better for them. Allah is All-Hearing, AllKnowing.
[24:61] There is no blame on a blind person, nor is there any blame on any lame one, nor is there any blame on a sick person, nor on yourselves in that you eat (something) from your own homes or from the homes of your fathers or the homes of your mothers or the homes of your brothers or the homes of your sisters or the homes of your paternal uncles, or the homes of your paternal aunts or the homes of your maternal uncles or the homes of your maternal aunts or from the places the keys of which you have under your control,16 or from (the home of) your friend. There is no sin on you if you eat together or separately. So when you enter homes, greet one another with Salam, a greeting prescribed by Allah, which is blessed, pleasant. This is how Allah explains the verses to you, so that you may understand.
[24:62] The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His messenger and who, when they are with him for a collective matter, do not leave unless they seek his permission. Surely, those who seek your permission are the ones who believe in Allah and His messenger. So, if they seek permission from you for some business of theirs, give permission to whom you wish from among them, and pray to Allah for their forgiveness. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:63] Do not take the call of the messenger among you as a call of one of you to another. Allah definitely knows those of you who sneak out hiding under the cover of others. So, those who violate his (messenger‘s) order must beware, lest they are visited by a trial or they are visited by a painful punishment.
[24:64] Remember! To Allah belongs all that is there in the heavens and the earth. He knows the condition in which you are at present; and the Day on which they will be returned to Him, He will tell them what they did. Allah is fully aware of everything.
[24:1] This is a Surah We have sent down and enjoined, and sent down in it clear signs, so that you may receive the advice.
[24:2] The fornicating woman and the fornicating man, flog each one of them with one hundred stripes. No pity for them should prevail upon you in the matter of Allah‘s religion if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day, and a group of believers must witness their punishment.
[24:3] A man who is fornicator does not (like to) marry but a woman who is a fornicator or a polytheist; and a woman who is a fornicator does not (like to) marry but a man who is a fornicator or a polytheist. And this (i.e. preferring to marry such spouses) has been prohibited for the believers.
[24:4] Those who accuse the chaste women (of fornication), but they do not produce four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes and do not accept their any evidence anymore. They are the sinners,
[24:5] except those who repent afterward and mend their ways; then, Allah is All-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:6] Those who accuse their wives (of adultery) while they have no witnesses except their own selves, then the evidence of one of them would be to swear four oaths by Allah that he is truthful,
[24:7] and the fifth (oath) that Allah‘s curse is on him if he is one of the liars.
[24:8] And it will remove the punishment from the woman if she swears four oaths by Allah that he (the accuser husband) is certainly one of the liars,
[24:9] and the fifth (oath) that Allah‘s wrath is on her if he is one of the truthful.
[24:10] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, and (had it not been) that Allah is Most-Relenting, AllWise, (you would have faced severe hardships).
[24:11] Those who have come up with the false imputation are a gang among you. Do not think it is bad for you; rather, it is good for you. Every one of them is liable for what he earned of the sin. And the one who played the major role in it, for him there is a mighty punishment.
[24:12] Why – when you (O believers) heard of it – did the believing men and the believing women not think well about their own selves, and (why did they not) say, This is a manifest lie.
[24:13] Why did they (the accusers) not bring four witnesses to prove this? So, as they did not bring the witnesses, they are the liars in the sight of Allah.
[24:14] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, a severe punishment would have reached you for what you indulged in –
[24:15] when you were welcoming it with your tongues and were saying with your mouths something of which you had no knowledge, and we’re taking it as a trivial matter, while in the sight of Allah it was grave.
[24:16] And why, when you heard of it, did you not say, It is not for us to speak about this. Pure are You (O Allah). This is a terrible calumny.
[24:17] Allah admonishes you never to repeat something like this if you are believers.
[24:18] Allah makes the signs clear to you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:19] Surely, those who like that lewdness spreads among the believers, for them, there is painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.
[24:20] Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, and that Allah is Very-Kind, Very-Merciful (you would have been destroyed).
[24:21] O you who believe, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan, (should know that) he orders (one to commit) shameful acts and evil deeds. Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills. Allah is AllHearing, All-Knowing.
[24:22] The men of grace and wealth among you should not swear against giving (their charitable gifts) to the kinsmen and the poor and to those who have migrated in the way of Allah, and they should forgive and forego. Do you not like that Allah forgives you? Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:23] Surely, those who level a false charge against the chaste, naive, and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and for them, there is a mighty punishment.
[24:24] on the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs will testify against themselves of what they used to do.
[24:25] On that day Allah will give them their rightful recompense in full, and they will know that Allah is the Very Truth who makes all things manifest.
[24:26] Vile women are for vile men, and vile men are for vile women, and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those are free from what they (the accusers) say. For them, there is forgiveness and a graceful provision.
[24:27] O you who believe, do not enter any houses, other than your own houses unless you seek permission and greet their inmates with Salam. That is good for you, so that you may be heedful.
[24:28] We did not send you (O prophet,) but to the entire mankind, as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know.
[24:29] There is no sin on you if you enter uninhabited houses in which you have rightful benefit. Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
[24:30] Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts; it is more decent for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
[24:31] And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no (sexual) urge, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known. And repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success.
[24:32] Arrange the marriage of the spouseless among you, and the capable from among your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His grace. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.
[24:33] And those who cannot afford marriage should keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His grace. And those of your slaves who wish to enter the contract of Kitabah (emancipation by paying money), contract Kitabah with
them, if you recognize some good in them. And give them out of the wealth of Allah that He has given to you. And do not compel your maids to prostitution – if they wish to observe chastity in order that you may seek the temporary benefit of the worldly life. If one compels them, then after their being compelled, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:34] Indeed We have sent down to you enlightening verses, and an exemplary description of those who passed away before you, and a good counsel for the God-fearing.
[24:35] Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is that of a niche, in which there is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass – the glass looks like a brilliant star – it is lit by (the oil of) a blessed tree, the olive, which is neither eastern nor western. Its oil is about to emit light even though the fire has not touched it – (it is) light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomsoever He wills; Allah describes examples for the people, and Allah knows everything well.
[24:36] (The guided people worship Allah) in the houses that Allah has permitted to be raised, and where His name is recounted and His purity is pronounced, in the morning and in the evening,
[24:37] by the men whom no trade or sale makes neglectful of the remembrance of Allah, nor from establishing Salah and paying Zakah; they are fearful of a day in which the hearts and the eyes will be overturned.
[24:38] The fate (of such people) is that Allah will reward them for the best deeds they did, and will give them more out of His grace. Allah gives whom He wills without counting.
[24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert plain, which a thirsty person deems to be water, until when he comes to it, he finds it nothing, and finds (the decree of) Allah with him, so He pays him his account in full. Allah is swift at reckoning.
[24:40] Or (their deeds) are like layers of darkness in a vast deep sea overwhelmed by a wave, above which there is another wave, above which there are clouds – layers of darkness, one above the other. When one puts forth his hand, he can hardly see it; and the one to whom Allah does not give light can have no light at all.
[24:41] Did you not realize that purity of Allah is proclaimed by all those in the heavens and the earth, and by the birds with their wings spread out? Everyone knows one‘s own (way of) praying (to Allah) and one‘s own (way of) proclaiming Allah‘s purity. And Allah knows well what they do.
[24:42] To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and towards Allah is the final return.
[24:43] Do you not realize that Allah drives the clouds, then joins them together, then turns them into a heap? Then you see the rain coming out from their midst. He sends down from the sky mountains (of clouds) having hail in them, then He afflicts with it whomsoever He wills and turns it away from whomsoever He wills. The flash of its lightning seems to snatch away the eyes.
[24:44] Allah alternates the night and the day. Surely, in that, there is a lesson for those who have eyes to see.
[24:45] Allah has created every moving creature from water. So, some of them move on their bellies; and some of them move on two legs, and some of them move on four. Allah creates what He wills. Surely, Allah is powerful over everything.
[24:46] We have surely sent down enlightening verses, and Allah guides whom He wills to the straight path.
[24:47] They say, “We have believed in Allah and in the messenger, and have adopted obedience”, then a group from them goes back after all this. Those are no believers.
[24:48] When they are summoned to Allah and His messenger that he (the messenger) may judge between them, in no time a group of them turns averse.
[24:49] And if the right is theirs, they would come to him as (if they are) submissive ones.
[24:50] Is there a malady in their hearts or do they have doubt or do they fear that Allah and His messenger will do injustice to them? Rather they themselves are unjust.
[24:51] The only reply of the (true) believers, when they are summoned to Allah and His messenger that he (the messenger) may judge between them, is that they say, We listen and obey. Such people are successful.
[24:52] Whoever obeys Allah and His messenger and has awe of Him and observes Taqwa for His sake, then such people are victorious.
[24:53] And they (the hypocrites) swear by Allah on forceful oaths that if you (O prophet) order them, they will certainly leave (their homes for Jihad ). Say, “do not swear, (the reality of your) obedience is known. Indeed Allah is fully aware of what you do”.
[24:54] Say, “Obey Allah and obey the messenger. But if you turn away, then on him (the messenger) lies (the responsibility of) what he is burdened with, and on you lies (the responsibility of) what you are burdened with. And if you obey him, you will get the right path. The duty of the Messenger is no more than to convey the message clearly”.
[24:55] Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will certainly make them (His) vicegerents in the land, as He made those before them, and will certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and will certainly give them peace in place of fear in which they were before; (provided that) they worship Me, ascribing no partner to Me. And those who turn infidel after that are the transgressors.
[24:56] Establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey the messenger, so that you may be favored with mercy.
[24:57] Never think that the disbelievers are (able) to frustrate (Allah‘s plan) on the earth. Their abode is the Fire. Indeed it is an evil terminus.
[24:58] “O you who believe, the slaves owned by you, and those of you who have not reached puberty, must seek your permission (to see you) at three times: before the prayer of Fajr, and when you take off your clothes at noon, and after the prayer of Isha”. These are three times of privacy for you. There is no harm, neither to you nor to them, after these (three times). They are your frequent visitors, as some of you are (frequent visitors) of the others. This is how Allah explains the verses to you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:59] When the children from among you reach puberty, they must seek permission, as the permission is sought by those before them. This is how Allah explains His verses to you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
[24:60] And those old women who have no hope for marriage, there is no sin on them, if they take off their (extra) clothes while they do not display their adornment. Still, that they refrain (even from this) is better for them. Allah is All-Hearing, AllKnowing.
[24:61] There is no blame on a blind person, nor is there any blame on any lame one, nor is there any blame on a sick person, nor on yourselves in that you eat (something) from your own homes or from the homes of your fathers or the homes of your mothers or the homes of your brothers or the homes of your sisters or the homes of your paternal uncles, or the homes of your paternal aunts or the homes of your maternal uncles or the homes of your maternal aunts or from the places the keys of which you have under your control,16 or from (the home of) your friend. There is no sin on you if you eat together or separately. So when you enter homes, greet one another with Salam, a greeting prescribed by Allah, which is blessed, pleasant. This is how Allah explains the verses to you, so that you may understand.
[24:62] The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His messenger and who, when they are with him for a collective matter, do not leave unless they seek his permission. Surely, those who seek your permission are the ones who believe in Allah and His messenger. So, if they seek permission from you for some business of theirs, give permission to whom you wish from among them, and pray to Allah for their forgiveness. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.
[24:63] Do not take the call of the messenger among you as a call of one of you to another. Allah definitely knows those of you who sneak out hiding under the cover of others. So, those who violate his (messenger‘s) order must beware, lest they are visited by a trial or they are visited by a painful punishment.
[24:64] Remember! To Allah belongs all that is there in the heavens and the earth. He knows the condition in which you are at present; and the Day on which they will be returned to Him, He will tell them what they did. Allah is fully aware of everything.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah An-Nur
- Title and Position: Surah An-Nur is the 24th chapter of the Quran. The title translates to “The Light,” a reference to one of its verses that presents God as the “Light of the heavens and the earth.”
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 64 verses. It is known for its legal and moral guidance, focusing on issues of social conduct, family life, and community relations.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include laws related to morality and decency, the punishment for adultery, guidelines for modesty, rules regarding marriage and family life, and the importance of truth and integrity.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah An-Nur is significant for its comprehensive treatment of social and ethical issues, its emphasis on rights and responsibilities within the Muslim community, and the promotion of a just and moral society.
Detailed Explanation
- Social Conduct and Morality: The surah addresses several aspects of social conduct, including the punishment for adultery and false accusations, emphasizing the importance of protecting community integrity and personal honor.
- Guidelines for Modesty: It sets forth guidelines for modesty and chastity for both men and women, including dress codes and behavior.
- Principles of Family Life: Surah An-Nur lays down principles for family life, including rules about marriage, relations among family members, and the treatment of orphans.
- Promotion of a Just Society: The surah advocates for justice, mutual respect, and kindness within the community, condemning slander and baseless accusations.
- The Metaphor of Light: One of the key verses of the surah presents a metaphorical description of God as “Light,” symbolizing guidance, clarity, and the source of all goodness.
FAQs
- Why is Surah An-Nur named “The Light”?
- The surah is named “An-Nur” (The Light) due to a profound verse that metaphorically describes God as the light of the heavens and the earth, a symbol of divine guidance and purity.
- How does Surah An-Nur address issues of morality and social conduct?
- It provides detailed instructions on moral conduct, setting standards for personal behavior, modesty, and interactions between genders to maintain social harmony and respect.
- What does Surah An-Nur teach about family life and community relations?
- The surah outlines the principles for healthy family relationships, the importance of protecting the rights of family members, and fostering a supportive and respectful community.
- How does the metaphor of light in Surah An-Nur contribute to its message?
- The metaphor of light serves to illustrate the illuminating guidance of God, shedding clarity on ethical and moral paths, and guiding believers towards righteousness.
- The surah is named “An-Nur” (The Light) due to a profound verse that metaphorically describes God as the light of the heavens and the earth, a symbol of divine guidance and purity.
- It provides detailed instructions on moral conduct, setting standards for personal behavior, modesty, and interactions between genders to maintain social harmony and respect.
- The surah outlines the principles for healthy family relationships, the importance of protecting the rights of family members, and fostering a supportive and respectful community.
- The metaphor of light serves to illustrate the illuminating guidance of God, shedding clarity on ethical and moral paths, and guiding believers towards righteousness.
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