24:1  (This is) a Sura (in Quran) which We have sent down and which We have enjoined its laws: And in it have We revealed clear Signs (verses), so that you may remember and receive warning (about the laws so enjoined)

24:2  The woman and the man guilty of adultery (unlawful sexual relations) severely whip each of them with a hundred stripes: Do not let kindness move you in their case— In a matter that is already decided by Allah, if you (truly) believe in Allah and the Last Day: And let a party of the believers witness their punishment

24:3  Let not any man guilty of adultery (unlawful sexual relations) marry anybody except a woman similarly guilty, or a disbeliever (woman): Let not any such guilty woman marry anybody except a man similarly guilty or a disbeliever (man): But such a thing (marriage to the guilty or to the disbelievers) is forbidden to the believers (men and women)

24:4  And those who start a charge against pure women, and do not have four witnesses (in support of the accusation)— Severely whip them with eighty stripes; And do not ever accept their testimony afterwards: Because such men are wicked transgressors—

24:5  Except those who repent afterwards and change and do righteous deeds verily, Allah is Often Forgiving (Ghafoor), Most Merciful (Raheem)

24:6  And for those who start a case (of adultery) against their wives, and do not have witnesses (in support) except their own (testimony)— (Then, the) only evidence (from such a man is) if he testifies (under oath) four times, by Allah that he is honestly saying the truth

24:7  And the fifth (oath should be) that he truly bring the curse of Allah upon himself if he is telling a lie

24:8  But it would save the punishment on the wife, if she testifies (under oath) four times, by Allah, that (her husband) is telling a lie

24:9  And the fifth (oath should be) that she truly brings the Anger of Allah upon herself if (her husband) is telling the truth

24:10  If it was not because of Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, (a painful penalty would have overtaken you): And Allah forgives and accepts repentance (Tawwab), Full of Wisdom (Hakeem)

24:11  Verily, those who brought out the slander (lie) are a group from yourselves: Do not think (of the incident) to be an evil for you; No! It is good for you: For every man from them (is the punishment) of the sin that he has earned, and for him who took on himself the lead from them, the penalty (for him) will be great

24:12  Why then, did not the believers —men and women — When you heard of the incident— Put the best reasons after it in their own minds and say, "This (slander) is an open lie?"

24:13  Why did they (the accusers) not bring four witnesses to prove it (the blame)? When they have not brought the witnesses: In the Sight of Allah, such men (hold) themselves as liars

24:14  If it was not because of the grace and mercy of Allah on you, in this world and the Hereafter, a painful penalty would have caught you because you so easily spoke about this affair

24:15  When you move it forward with your tongues, and said from your mouths things of which you had no knowledge; And you thought it to be a light matter, when it was most serious in the Sight of Allah

24:16  And why did you not, when you heard it, say— "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah! This is a most serious lie (against any person)!"

24:17  Allah does warn and forbids you, that you may never repeat such (actions), if you are true believers

24:18  And Allah makes the Signs plain (and clear) to you: And Allah is All Knowing, (Aleem), All Wise (Hakeem)

24:19  Verily, those who love (to see) lies circulated openly among the believers, they will have a painful penalty in this life and in the hereafter: And Allah knows, and you do not know

24:20  If it was not because of Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, and that Allah is full of kindness (Ra'uf), Most Merciful (Raheem); (You would be truly lost)

24:21  O you who believe! Do not follow Satan's footsteps: If any will follow the footsteps of Satan's, verily, he will command what is shameful and wrong: And if it was not because of Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, not (even) one of you would ever have been pure: But Allah does purify whomsoever He pleases: And Allah is All Hearing (Sami’), All Knowing (Aleem)

24:22  And let not those from you who are blessed with grace and abundance of means resolve by oath against helping their relatives, those in want, and poor and those who have left their homes in Allah’s cause: Let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Often Forgiving (Ghafoor), Most Merciful (Raheem)

24:23  Verily, those who spread accusations (about the character of) chaste believing women, who are (truly) pure (in their character)— Are cursed in this life, and in the Hereafter: And for them is a painful penalty—

24:24  On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their legs will bear witness (and speak out) against them about their actions

24:25  On that Day, Allah will pay them back (all) their dues in full, and they will realize that Allah is the (Very) Clearest Truth (Al-Haq-ul-Mubeen)

24:26  Bad words are for bad people; [Disbelieving (or impure) women for disbelieving (or impure) men], bad people are for bad words; [Disbelieving (or impure) men for disbelieving (or impure) women], good words are for good people; [Also implied is that good women are for good men;] good people are for good words; [Also implied is that good men are for good women;] such are the (truly) innocent of the bad words they say: For them there is forgiveness, and a honored provision

24:27  O you who believe! Do not enter houses other than your own, until you have asked for permission (to enter) and greeted those (who are) inside them: That is best for you, so that you may remember

24:28  And if you find no one in there (the house), still do not enter until permission is given to you: And if you are asked to go back, go back: That makes for greater (piety) purity for yourselves: And Allah is All Knowing (Aleem) of all that you do

24:29  It is not a fault on your part to enter houses not used for living (or uninhabited), (but) which serve some (other) use for you: And Allah has knowledge of what you say and what you hide

24:30  Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their shyness (and looks) and protect themselves and their privacy (from illicit sex): That will make for greater purity for them: Verily, Allah is familiar with all that they do

24:31  And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty (and looks) and protect themselves and privacy (from illicit sex): And that they should not display their beauty and jewels except what (may usually) appear; That they should draw cover over their bodies and bosoms, and not display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or the male servants without physical (and sexual) needs, or little children who are not aware of the nakedness of women; And that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O believers! All of you turn together towards Allah (seeking His Forgiveness), so that you may be successful

24:32  Marry those among you who are single, and the virtuous ones among your slaves, male servants and maid servants: If they are in poverty, Allah will provide them ways out of His grace: And Allah understands all needs; He knows all things (Aleem)

24:33  And let those who do not find the (financial) means to marry, keep themselves pure, until Allah provides them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a note (of promise) in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom), give them such a note (of promise); If you know any good (ones) from them; And give them something from yourselves out of the wealth that Allah has bestowed upon you. And do not force your maids to prostitution when they like purity (of their moral conduct), so that you may make a gain in things of this life. But if anyone forces (or has forced) them (the maids), still, after such compulsion (or circumstances), Allah is Often Forgiving (Ghafoor), Most Merciful (Raheem) (to the maids because of the force or compulsion.

24:34  And indeed, We have already sent down to you Signs verses) making things clear, and a clarification from (the lives of) people who have gone before you, and an advise and warning to those who fear (Allah)

24:35  Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as though there is a Niche (opening) and within it is a Lamp: The Lamp is enclosed in glass: The glass as if it was (itself) a bright star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the East nor of the West, whose Oil is almost (by itself) bright, even though fire never touched it: Light upon Light! Allah guides whomever He wills to His Light: And Allah sets forth parables for mankind: And Allah knows all things

24:36  (This Light shines bright) in those houses, that Allah has permitted to be raised to the honor; For the celebration of His Name in them: In them (His Names and the houses), He is glorified mornings and in evenings (of everyday)—

24:37  To (those) men whom neither trade nor business can take away from remembering Allah, and not from (their) regular prayer, and not from the giving of regular charity: Their (only) fear is of the Day when hearts and eyes will be transformed (in a new universe)—

24:38  That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them from His Grace: And Allah provides for those whom He wills, without (any) limits

24:39  As for those who disbelieved (in this life)— Their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts, which a thirsty one mistakes it to be water; And when he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing: But (instead) he finds Allah (always) with him, and Allah will pay him his account that is due: And Allah is swift in taking account (Hasib)

24:40  Or (the disbelievers condition) is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean, overcome by huge waves on top of huge waves, with (darkest) clouds at the top: Depths of darkness, one upon another: If a man opened out his hand, he can barely see it! And for him Allah does not give Light, there is no Light

24:41  Do you not see that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth celebrate, and the birds with wings spread out? For each one (of the beings), He (Allah) knows its own (way of saying the) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well everything that they do

24:42  And to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; And to Allah is the final goal (of all)

24:43  Do you not see that Allah makes the clouds move slowly, then gathers them together, then makes them into a heaps of layers? Then you see the rain come out from their middle. And He sends down from the sky vast volumes (of dark clouds) in which is hail: He hits with it whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases. The clear (distinct) flash of His lightning that almost blinds the sight

24:44  It is Allah Who causes the night and the day to succeed (to search and to overtake) each other: Surely, in these things, there is a teaching for those who can see (and search)

24:45  And Allah has made every animal from water: Of them, some slide on their abdomens; And some walk on two legs; And some walk on four (legs). Allah creates what He wills; For surely, Allah is Able (Khadir) to do all things

24:46  We have indeed sent down clear Signs that make things clear and Allah guides whom He wills to the Straight Path

24:47  They say, "We believe in Allah and in the Messenger (Muhammad) and we obey:" But even after (saying) that, some of them turn away: They are not (true) believers

24:48  And when they are called to Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), in order that he may judge between them, look! Some of them do not agree (to come)

24:49  But if the right is on their side, they (would) come to him (the Prophet) with all the submission (to listen and accept)

24:50  Is there a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt, or are they in fear, that Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) will deal unjustly with them? No, it is they themselves who are the wrongdoers

24:51  The answer of the believers, when called to Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) so that he may judge between them is nothing other than this: They say: "We hear and we obey:" And it is such as these who will be successful

24:52  It is such (believers) who obey Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and fear Allah and work right, who will be successful

24:53  They gave their strongest oath by Allah that, if you were to only order them, they would (even) leave (their homes). Say: "You do not (just) swear; Obeying is (more) reasonable to hold your oath; Surely, Allah is quite familiar with all that you do."

24:54  Say: "Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad): But if you turn away, he (Prophet, the Messenger) is only responsible for the duty given to him, and you for that (the duty) given to you. If you obey him, you will be on right guidance. The Messenger’s (Muhammad’s) duty is only to teach the clear (Message)."

24:55  Allah has promised those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will surely grant them inheritance in the land, as He granted it to those before them; That He will affirm with authority their religion— The one which He has chosen for them; And that He will change (their condition), after the fear in which they lived, to one (condition) of security and peace: "They will worship (only) Me and not join anyone with Me," if any do reject Faith after (accepting) this, they are rebellious and wicked

24:56  And establish regular prayer and give regular charity; And obey the Messenger (Muhammad); That you may receive mercy

24:57  You do not ever think that the disbelievers are going to block (Allah’s Plan) on earth: Their home is the Fire— And it is truly an evil place (for shelter)

24:58  O you who believe! Let those whom your right hands possess, (servants and servant-girls) and the (children) among you who have not come of age (to puberty) ask your permission (before they come in your presence), on three occasions: Before the morning prayer; And the time you take off your clothes for the mid-day (afternoon) heat; And after the late-night prayer: (These) are your (three) times for privacy: At times other than these, it is not wrong for you or for them to move about taking care of each other. Thus Allah makes the Signs clear to you: And Allah is All Knowing (Aleem) and All Wise (Hakeem)

24:59  And when the children from you come to puberty, let them (also) ask for permission, like those older than them do (ask for permission). Thus Allah makes the Signs clear to you: And Allah is All Knowing (Aleem) and All Wise (Hakeem)

24:60  And such older women who are over the possible chances of marriage— There is no blame on them if they put away their (outer) garments, so long as they make not a willful show of their beauty: But it is best for them to be decent. And Allah is All Hearing (Sami’), All Knowing (Aleem)

24:61  There is no (such) restriction for the blind, nor for one born lame, nor for one struck with illness, nor (is there any restriction) for yourselves, if you eat in your own houses, or the houses of your fathers, or the houses your mothers, or the houses your brothers, or the houses your sisters, or your the houses father's brothers, or the houses your father's sisters, or the houses your mother's sisters, or in houses whose keys you have, or in the houses of a sincere friend of yours: There is no blame on you, whether you eat in company or alone. But when you enter houses, greet yourselves (and each other)— A greeting of blessing and purity as from Allah. Thus Allah makes the Signs clear to you: That you may understand

24:62  Only those are believers, who believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad): And when they are with him about a matter needing joint action, they do not leave until they ask for his permission; Verily, those who ask for your (Prophet's) consent are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad); So when they ask for your permission (to leave), for some matters of theirs, give the permission to those of them whom you will, and ask Allah for their forgiveness: Truly, Allah is Often Forgiving (Ghafoor), Most Merciful (Raheem)

24:63  Do not treat the call of the Messenger within yourselves, like the call of one of you to another: Allah does know those of you who slip away under some excuse; Then let those who listen to the Prophet’s order, warn in case some trial befall them, or a painful penalty be handed down over them

24:64  Be sure that to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth. Indeed, He (Allah) knows well what you are up to doing: And one Day they will be brought back to Him, and He will tell them the truth of what they did: And Allah, about all things, is All Knowing (Aleem)