| | Dr. Kamal Omar rendition of Surah The Light(an-Nur)
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| 24:1 | | A Surah, We have sent it down and We have made it binding, and We have sent down therein manifest Ayaat so that you people may remind (yourselves and remind others) |
| 24:2 | | Az-Zaniyah (a female indulging in prohibited sexual intercourse like adultery, fornication and bestiality), and Az-Zani (a male indulging in prohibited sexual intercourse like adultery, fornication and bestiality) so, you flog, every individual of those two, one hundred stripes. And let not pity (or compassion) influence you about these two in (implementation of the) Law of Allah — if you had been Believing in Allah and the Last Day. And let a collection of the Believers witness Azaab [punishment (of flogging)] on these two |
| 24:3 | | (O Muslim Community! You will keep a watch that) Az-Zani does not take in wedlock except a Zaniyah or Mushrika, and (as far as Az-Zaniyah is concerned) — no body takes her in wedlock except a Zani or a Mushrik. And such a thing is forbidden to the Believers |
| 24:4 | | And those who accuse chaste women, then did not come forward with four eye-witnesses — so flog them eighty stripes, and do not accept for them a testimony ever, and those people: they are the Fasiqun — |
| 24:5 | | except those who repented thereafter and reformed (their personalities), then surely Allah is Oft-Forgiving, continuously Merciful |
| 24:6 | | And those who accuse their consorts and there is not on their side any witnesses except their own persons, then the testimony of one of these will be uttered as four testimonies to Allah (that) surely he indeed is of those who speak the truth |
| 24:7 | | And the fifth (testimony) that Allah’s curse (be) on him if he is out of those who lie and speak not the truth |
| 24:8 | | And it shall avert the Azaab [punishment (of flogging)] from her, if she bears witness four times to Allah, (that) certainly he (i.e., her husband) is indeed out of those who tell lies |
| 24:9 | | And the fifth (testimony) that the wrath of Allah (be) upon her if he (i.e., her husband) is out of those who speak the truth. [Please note that in the law of evidence there is no difference between a male and a female. Rather, when both give identical evidence the punishment gets averted from the female — indicating that the evidence given by her has more credence and it prevails over the evidence given by her husband. Also note that ‘curse of Allah’ has been mentioned to warn the male, while much milder phrase ‘wrath of Allah’ has been used to warn the female. And the most important point evident and manifest over here is that the word Azaab in Verse No. 2 and Verse No. 8 refers to one and the same punishment — ‘to flog one hundred stripes in public.’ Allah’s Book makes no distinction between a married and an unmarried person, or between a male and a female regarding this punishment. No punishment, other than flogging, is mentioned for Zina anywhere, throughout the Text of Al-Kitab. We must now ponder as to why Allah placed the first verse in this Surah which acts as a pre-amble as well as a warning. Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Aware knew beforehand that books written and produced by humans would attempt to override the ordainments of the Book of Allah and create confusion about the law of punishment applicable to Zina.] |
| 24:10 | | And if (there is) not the Grace of Allah over you, and His Mercy (you would be disturbing your marital lives and breahead of state up your families without reason) — and that Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, the All-Wise |
| 24:11 | | Verily, those who came forward with the slander (a false charge against a chaste personality) are a small group out of you people. Don’t regard it something detrimental or evil for you. Nay, it is positive for you. For every man among them (will come the recompense for) that which he earned of the sin. And that one amongst them who picked up and brought forward the most serious (aspect) of that (slander) — for him is a most serious punishment |
| 24:12 | | Why not, when you people heard it — the Believing men and the Believing women remained sure of chastity about their own persons and said: "This (charge) is an obvious lie.? |
| 24:13 | | Why did they not come with four eye-witnesses about that. So, when they did not come forward with (four) witnesses, then those people, in the Sight of Allah: they are the liars |
| 24:14 | | And if (there is) not the Grace of Allah over you, and His Mercy, in this world and in the Hereafter, a great torment would have indeed touched you in what you indulged (and involved yourselves) therein |
| 24:15 | | When you produce it with your tongues and utter with your mouths that whereof there is no knowledge with you, and you regard it something very light or noncognisable, although it is extremely serious in the sight of Allah — |
| 24:16 | | and why did you not, when you heard it, say: 'It becomes not to us (a right) that we talk about this (matter)? Glory be to You (O Allah), this is a very serious slander. |
| 24:17 | | Allah admonishes you that you may ever repeat something similar to it, if you are Believers |
| 24:18 | | And Allah very clearly explains the Ayaat for you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise |
| 24:19 | | Surely, those who (desire and) like that obscenity and immorality should penetrate in (the community of) those who have Believed — for them is a painful torment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah Knows, while you, you do not know |
| 24:20 | | And if (there is) not the Grace of Allah over you, and His Mercy (your laxity would allow the spread of obscenity and immorality in the community, but Allah nips the evil in the bud). And that Allah is full of Kindness, continuously Merciful |
| 24:21 | | O you people who have Believed! Do not follow footsteps of the satan. And whoever follows footsteps of the satan, then verily, he (i.e., the satan) commands Al-Fahsha (obscenity, immorality and vulgarity) and Al-Munkar (the undesirable and the prohibited). And if (there is) not the Grace of Allah over you, and His Mercy, not one of you would ever have been pure (from sins). But Allah purifies whom he thinks proper. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower |
| 24:22 | | And must not adversely swear the possessors of wealth and plenty amongst you that they give (their possessions for the use of) close relations, and the indigent and those who emigrate in Allah’s Cause. And they must pardon and must forgive. Don’t you like that Allah may forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, continuously Merciful |
| 24:23 | | Surely those who accuse Believing females, women completely unaware (of immoral acts), fully guarding their chastity — stand cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and for them is a great torment |
| 24:24 | | The Day their tongues, and their hands, and their legs bear witness against them as to what they used to do |
| 24:25 | | The Day when Allah will pay them their just due, and they will know that Allah, He (Alone) is the Manifest Truth |
| 24:26 | | Undesirable and impure females are for undesirable and impure males; and undesirable and impure males are for undesirable and impure women. And desirable and pure females are for desirable and pure males, and desirable and pure males are for desirable and pure females. Those people (who belong to this category) are absolved and innocent of whatever people utter (in their slanderous talks). For them is Forgiveness and honourable, generous provision |
| 24:27 | | O you people who have Believed! Do not enter houses other than your own houses, until you have asked and have been granted permission, and you have sent ‘salam’ (peace and blessing) unto their occupants; this is better for you in order that you may remind (yourself, and remind others). [This verse gives a start to the directions and admonitions to control and regulate the behaviour of the society. This counselling continues in many verses that follow. The wordings in this verse indicate that the incident of slander was cooked up on the basis of something which was noticed and misunderstood when a person entered in a house out of a sudden, without ashead of state permission of the inmates. Those who have not pondered over the Divine words have wrongly accepted another incident which was forged to malign the Last Prophet’s marital life] |
| 24:28 | | And if you do not find therein anyone, then do not enter it until the permission is granted for you. And if it is said to you: 'Go back’. Then you go back. That is more desirable of you. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do |
| 24:29 | | There is no blame on you that you enter houses uninhabited when therein are lying provisions meant for you. And Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal |
| 24:30 | | Advise the Believing males that they restrain their eyes and guard their private sexual parts. This is purer for them. Surely, Allah is Well-Aware of what they attempt |
| 24:31 | | And advise the Believing females that they restrain their eyes and guard their private sexual parts; and (that) they do not make evident their beauty except what became apparent thereof, and that they extend their head-coverings (also) over their bosoms (and hide the prominence). And they shall not make evident their beauty except for their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their own sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their own brothers, or the sons of their own brothers, or the sons of their own sisters, or their own women (i.e., who become their sisters in Islam and are not expected to betray them), or those whom their own right hands held in trust, or such of male employees as have no sexual appetite, or young children who have not become fully aware about the sexual areas of women. And they must not strike with their legs so that it may become known what they hide out of their beauty. And turn you to Allah — altogether, you Believers, so that you may prosper |
| 24:32 | | And arrange marriage for those amongst you who have become single after once remaining in a marital life (due to divorce or death of the marital partner), and (also arrange marriage for) the righteous amongst your males who are under your control and females who are under your control. If they have become poor Allah will enrich them of His Bounty. And Allah is All-Surveillant, All-Aware |
| 24:33 | | And those must wait who find not the financial means for Nikah (marriage) until Allah enriches them out of His Bounty. And those who seek a document (granting them independence) out of those whom your right hands held in trust — so write them (the document) if you knew in them good. And give them out of the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And compel not the females under your control towards undesirable state (of celibacy) — if they have decided protection (through a marriage-bond) — in order that you may seek the gain of the present life. And whoever compels them, then surely Allah, after their (coming under) compulsion will be Oft-Forgiving, continuously Merciful (to them) |
| 24:34 | | And surely, indeed We have sent down to you Ayaatin Mobayyinat and the example of those who passed away before you, and an admonition for the righteous |
| 24:35 | | Allah is Noor of the heavens and the earth. (The) parable of His Noor is like a niche (and) inside it (is) a lamp, the lamp is in glass, the glass as it were a brilliant planet, lit from a blessed tree, — an olive (tree), not the eastern one (that gets sun-rays only in the morning), and not a western one (that gets sun-rays only in the evening), whose oil (it appears) would almost glow forth (of itself) even if fire does not ignite it (as its tree has remained exposed to the sun-rays all day long) — Noorun ala Noor (Light upon Light). Allah guides to His Noor (‘Light’. This is an attribute for Allah’s Book) whom He thinks proper. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind. And Allah is All-Aware of all things |
| 24:36 | | (This Light remains lit) in houses which Allah has permitted that these may be exalted and His Name be discussed in them. Glorification is done to Him therein in the morning and the evenings — |
| 24:37 | | (by) men: diverts them not business, and nor trade from Zikr (‘Message’) of Allah, and establishment of Salat and paying-up Zakat. They fear a Day — the hearts and the eyes will feel agitated therein |
| 24:38 | | so that Allah may pay them the better of what they did, and add (even more) for them out of His Grace. And Allah gives provision whom He thinks proper without measure |
| 24:39 | | As for those who have disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it (to be) water, until when he approached it, he does not find it to be anything but he found Allah all along with him so He paid him in full his account. And Allah is Swift in reckoning |
| 24:40 | | Or (the mind of a disbeliever is) like darknesses in a vast deep sea, a (great) wave covers it, on the upper surface of this is (another great) wave, (and) on the upper surface of this (are) dark clouds — some of them are above some (others, layers over layer). When he stretched out his hand he could not see it. And that for whom Allah has not arranged Noor (Light), then (there is) not for him from Noor |
| 24:41 | | Don‘t you see that Allah: pays glory to Him whoever is in the heavens and the earth and birds in formation? All of them, definitely knew Salat prescribed to it and Tasbeeh (Glorification format) prescribed to it. And Allah is All-Aware of what they do |
| 24:42 | | And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and towards Allah is the Returning Place |
| 24:43 | | Don’t you see that Allah moves up the clouds, then creates a union between it, then makes it piled up, then you see rain-water makes an exit from in between it? And he sends down from towards the sky, from the mountains — therein is of (frozen, stored) ice. Then He reaches with it whom He thinks proper and diverts it away from whom He thinks proper. It appears that the vivid flash of its (i.e., the clouds’) lightning will pass away alongwith the eyes (i.e., the lightning flash will damage and blind the eye-sights of people) |
| 24:44 | | Allah interchanges the night and the day. Truly, in these is indeed a lesson for the possessors of the sights |
| 24:45 | | And Allah created every living and moving creature from water. So out of them is that who creeps on its belly; and of them is that who walks on two legs; and of them is that who moves on four (limbs). Allah creates what He thinks proper. Verily, Allah is All-Capable over all things |
| 24:46 | | Surely, indeed We have sent down Ayaat [Signs (of Divine Wisdom)], Mubayyinat (that make things plain, manifest and clear). And Allah guides whom He thinks proper to the Permanent Path |
| 24:47 | | And people say: “We have Believed in Allah and in the Messenger and we have obeyed.” Then a group of them turns away thereafter. And they are not with the Believers |
| 24:48 | | And when they were called towards Allah and His Messenger so that He may pronounce judgment about them, lo! A group amongst them behave as deviators |
| 24:49 | | And if the just decision remains for them (i.e., it is favourable to them) they come to him as those who are willing and are in submission |
| 24:50 | | Is there a disease in their hearts? Or they have developed doubt? Or they fear that Allah and His Messenger will show prejudice against them? Nay, those people: (it is) they themselves who are the transgressors |
| 24:51 | | Surely, what (is expected and) became a response of the Believers — when they are called towards Allah and His Messenger so that he may decide amongst them (is) — that they may say: “We heard, and we obeyed.” And those people: they (very ones are) those who attain success |
| 24:52 | | And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and remains mindful of Allah and submits to Him (Alone), then those people: they (are the ones who) stand elevated |
| 24:53 | | They swore by Allah their strongest oaths that if you ordered them they will surely come out (of their houses to strive in Allah‘s Cause). Say: “Swear you not. What is required is desirable obedience. Verily, Allah is Well-Aware of what you do.” |
| 24:54 | | Say: “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, then if you turned away, then surely what (is a fact is that) on him (is the responsibility) what has been placed on him (as a duty), and on you what has been placed on you. And if you obey him you shall attain guidance. And it is not on the Messenger as a duty except the preaching in a clear and plain fashion |
| 24:55 | | Allah has promised those who have Believed amongst you and have performed righteous deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted succession to those before them; and that He will surely establish for them their Religion that which He has chosen for them. And He will surely give them in exchange safety after their (state of) fear — they will pay obedience to Me (Alone), will not associate as partners to Me anything. And whoever disbelieved after this then those people: they are the Fasiqun |
| 24:56 | | And establish As-Salat and pay-up Az-Zakat and obey the Messenger so that you may be bestowed mercy |
| 24:57 | | Don’t consider those who have disbelieved as people who would frustrate (Allah) in the earth. And their abode is the Fire and surely, evil is (their) destination |
| 24:58 | | O you people who have Believed! Must take permission from you those whom your right hands held in trust, and those who have not reached the age of puberty amongst you on three occasions: before Salat-ul-Fajr (dawn-prayer), and while you put off your extra-clothings due to extreme heat (of the midday sun), and after Salat-ul-Isha (dark-night prayer). (These) three (times) are of privacy for you. (There is) not on you and nor on them (any) blame barring those (three times if they are) those who move about you — some of you to some (others). Thus Allah explains for you Ayaat. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise |
| 24:59 | | And when the boys amongst you have reached puberty, then let them (also) ask for permission as asked permission those who (were adults) before them. Thus Allah explains for you His Ayaat. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise |
| 24:60 | | And those who are restricted in activity (due to old age) out of women — those who have no desire of marriage, then there is no blame on such females if they lay aside their outer garments without becoming those who display beauty. But if they refrain (from this concession, it would be) good to them. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower |
| 24:61 | | (There is) no restriction on the blind, and no blame on the lame, and no blame on the sick, and no (blame) on yourselves — that you may eat from your houses, or the houses of your fathers, or the houses of your mothers, or the houses of your brothers, or the houses of your sisters, or the houses of your paternal uncles, or the houses of your fathers’ sisters, or the houses of your maternal uncles, or the houses of your mothers’ sisters, or (from that) whereof you held the keys, or from (the house of) your personal friend. (Also there is) no restriction on you people whether you eat together or apart. But when you have entered a house, send greeting unto your own people with a greeting from Allah [i.e., the one which is prescribed by Allah in specified wordings: As-Salamu Alaikum (Peace and blessings be on you)]. (This prescribed greeting is) blessed and desirable. Thus Allah explains to you the Ayaat so that you may use intellect |
| 24:62 | | Surely, what (is a fact is that) the Believers are those who have Believed in Allah and His Messenger, and when they happened to be with him involved in some important matter, they do not move until they have obtained his permission. Surely, those who obtain your permission (before leaving) they are those who (really) Believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission in connection with some of their problem, then grant permission for whom you thought proper among them; and ask Allah for (giving) forgiveness to them. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, continuously Merciful |
| 24:63 | | Don’t regard a call from the Messenger amongst you like a call of some of you to some (other). Definitely Allah knows those amongst you who slip away — not being marked. So let those guard who go against his advice, lest some turmoil may seize them or a painful punishment may afflict them |
| 24:64 | | Behold! Certainly, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. Surely, He knows that on which you are and (He knows) the Day they will be brought back to Him, then He will inform them about what they did. And Allah is All-Aware of every thing |
