24:1  (This is) a (highly dignified) Surah which We have revealed and (the ordinances of) which We have made obligatory and We have revealed in it clear commandments so that you may rise to great eminence

24:2  Strike the fornicatress and adulteress and the fornicator and adulterer on the body of each one of them a hundred times. (This is the extreme limit,) and let no feelings of pity for the two hold you from obedience to Allah (in executing His judgment), if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a section of the believers be present (there at the time of the execution of) their punishment

24:3  The fornicator and adulterer cannot have sexual relations (without lawful marriage) except with a fornicatress and adulteress or polytheistic woman (of low morality), and the fornicatress and adulteress, none can have sexual relations with her except a fornicator and adulterer or a polytheistic man (of low morality). And this (adultery and fornication) is forbidden to the believers

24:4  Strike eighty times on the bodies of those who calumniate chaste women and who do not support (their accusation) with four witnesses, and never accept their testimony (because) it is they who are the disobedient (and break the law)

24:5  Except those who repent after this and make amends, they will find Allah Great Protector, Ever Merciful

24:6  And those who charge their wives of adultery and have no witnesses (to support their charge) except their own selves, let each (husband) bear testimony (repeating it) four times over calling Allah to witness that he is surely of those who speak the truth in (the matter of) charging his wife (of adultery)

24:7  And the fifth (time he should say on oath) that Allah's wrath be upon him if he be of the liars

24:8  But it shall avert the punishment from her (- the wife) if she calling Allah to witness testifies four times over that he is of the liars (in bringing this charge against her)

24:9  And the fifth (time she should say on oath) that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he (- her husband) has spoken the truth (about her)

24:10  But for Allah's grace and His mercy (which rests) upon you and (but for the fact) that Allah is Oft-Returning (with compassion), All-Wise (you would have come to grief)

24:11  Verily, those (- hypocrites) who brought the false accusation (against aishah, the wife of the Prophet), are a section of your own people. Do not think this (- incident) to be bad for you, rather it is good for you. (As for the accusers,) everyone of them shall receive (his due punishment according to) that which he has accomplished in the form) of sin. As for him (- Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul) who among them took the principal part thereof (in fabricating and spreading malicious scandal against her) there awaits him a grievous punishment

24:12  When you heard of this (accusation) why did not the believing men and believing women have a better opinion in respect of their own people and say, `This (charge) is an obvious lie?

24:13  Why did they (- the fabricators of this charge) not bring four witnesses in support of this (accusation of theirs)? Since they failed to produce the (required) witnesses, it is they who are the very liars in the sight of Allah

24:14  But for the fact that Allah has shown His grace and mercy to you in the present world, and in the next a great punishment would have certainly befallen you on account of that (slander) which you spread

24:15  When (some of) you began to learn this (slander) from each others tongues, you gave tongue to that (rumour and made statements) of which you had no knowledge; and you considered it a trivial thing while it was grave in the sight of Allah

24:16  And why did you not say as soon as you heard of it, `It does not behove us to talk like this. Holy are You (O Gracious God). This is a monstrous calumny,

24:17  If you are (true) believers (you should bear in mind that) Allah admonishes you never to repeat such a thing again

24:18  And Allah explains to you (His) commandments and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise

24:19  Those who love to spread immorality among the disbelievers, will have a woeful punishment in this world and the next. And Allah knows while you do not know (the consequences of this evil)

24:20  But for the grace of Allah and His mercy (that rests) upon you and (but for the fact) that Allah is most Compassionate, Ever Merciful (none of you would have ever been so chaste and pure)

24:21  O you who believe! do not follow the footsteps of satan. He that follows the footsteps of satan (should remember that) he (- satan) surely enjoins immorality and indecency. But for the grace of Allah and His mercy (that rests) upon you, not one of you would ever have been pure, but Allah purifies him who wishes (to be purified). And Allah is All-Hearing, All- Knowing

24:22  And let not those of you who are possessed of grace (with moral virtue) and of plenty (of riches like Abu Bakr) swear that they will give nothing to the kindred, the needy and those who have left their homes for the cause of Allah, but let them forgive and forbear (the offence). Do you not desire that Allah should protect you (against your faults)? And Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful

24:23  Those who calumniate chaste, unwary, innocent believing women stand cursed in the present life and the Hereafter, and there awaits them a grievous punishment

24:24  On the Day (of Requital) when their tongues and their hands and their feet shall bear witness against them for the (evil) deeds they used to do

24:25  On that Day Allah will pay them in full their just dues and they shall know that Allah alone is the Absolute Truth, (and as well makes the Truth) manifest

24:26  The evil and impure deeds are (a characteristic) of impure people and the bad and impure people are (inclined) towards the bad and impure deeds. Similarly good and pure deeds are (a characteristic) of good and pure people and the good and pure people are (inclined) towards good and pure deeds. It is they (- the good and pure) who are innocent of all that they (- the accusers) may allege (about them). There awaits them protection and an honourable and generous provision

24:27  O you who believe! do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained willing permission and (mind!) you should greet the inmates of these (houses). That is better for you. You have been given this commandment that you may be heedful

24:28  But if you find nobody in them do not enter therein, unless you have got (from the owners or the rightful care-taker previous) permission. And go back if you are told to go back, that would be pure and best for you. Indeed, Allah is Well-Aware of all that you do

24:29  It is no sin on your part to enter (freely) non-residential houses wherein your goods are lying. And Allah knows all that you profess and all that you conceal

24:30  Tell the believers to restrain their looks (in the presence of women not closely related to them and so lawful for marriage) and guard their chastity. That is purer and best for them. Surely, Allah is Well-Aware of what they do

24:31  And tell the believing women to restrain their looks (also in the presence of men who are not near of kin and so lawful for marriage) and guard their chastity and not to disclose their (natural and make-up) beauty except such as cannot be helped (and is apparent) and draw their head coverings over their bosoms, and they should not display their beauty save to their husbands or to their fathers or to their fathers- in-law or to their own sons or to the sons of their husbands or to their own brothers, or to the sons of their brothers or to the sons of their sisters or their women (who are their decent companions) or to their bondsmen or to such of their male attendants as have no sexual appetite or to such young children as have yet no knowledge of the frailties of women. And let them not strike (the ground with) their feet so that which they (must) hide of their beauty or adornment) may become known. And (O believers!) turn to Allah; one and all, that you may attain (true happiness and) your ultimate goal

24:32  Arrange marriages for those of you who are single and for your male and female slaves as are deserving and fit (to lead a married life). If they are poor Allah will grant them means out of His bounty; Bountiful is Allah, All-Knowing

24:33  And those who find no (means of) marriage should (exercise restraint and) keep themselves chaste until Allah grants them means (to marry) out of His grace and bounty. (There is another commandment,) as for those of your bondsmen (or women) as ask for a written contract (of freedom for themselves on payment of ransom), write this (deed of manumission for them) provided you find good capabilities in them and give them out of Allah's wealth which He has given you. (Another commandment for you is that,) with a mind to gain (by this unrighteous means) the benefits of the present life do not constrain your slave-girls to unchaste life (by keeping them unmarried) when they desire (to marry) to preserve their virtue. But if anybody forces them (to abstain from marrying and to become unchaste) they will find, after they are forced, that God is Most Forgiving, Ever Merciful

24:34  And We have sent down to you revelations which explain (to you the truth) and (have also revealed) some accounts of those who have passed away before you, and (we have sent in addition) an exhortation for those who guard against evil

24:35  Allah is the Extensive Light of the heavens and the earth. His light can be compared to a (lustrous) pillar on which a lamp is put. The lamp is inside a crystal globe. The globe of glass is as if it were a glittering star. It (- the lamp) is lit by (the oil of) a blessed olive tree which belongs neither to the east nor to the west (rather welds the whole world in its fold). Its oil is likely to glow forth of itself even if no fire touch it. This (lamp) is a combination of many lights over and over. Allah guides towards His light whoever desires (to be enlightened). And Allah sets forth excellent parables for the people, and Allah alone has full knowledge of every thing

24:36  (This light is now lit) in houses ( of the Companions) which Allah has ordained to be exalted and His name be commemorated in them. Therein (are such as) glorify Him in the mornings and the evenings

24:37  Men whom neither trade nor sale distracts from exalting (the name of) Allah and from the observance of Prayer and from presenting Zakat (- purifying dues) regularly. They dread the day when the hearts and the eyes will be in a state of agitation and anguish

24:38  With the result that Allah will give them the reward according to their fairest deeds and will (even) give them much more by His grace and bounty. And Allah does provide without measure to whom He will

24:39  And (as to) those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert, the thirsty man assumes it to be water until he comes up to it and finds it is nothing at all. And (instead of water by his side) he finds (that) Allah (has always been present) with him, and He then pays him his account in full, and Allah is Swift at reckoning

24:40  Or (the deeds of the disbelievers are) like thick utter darkness of the fathomless deep sea, waves on top of which there are higher waves covering its surface which is overcast by clouds. These are (layers of) darkness (piled) one upon the other (as opposed to light upon light for the believers) so that a person, however much he may try, can hardly see his hand when he holds it out. Indeed, there is no light at all for the person whom Allah gives no light

24:41  Have you not pondered that it is Allah Whose praises celebrate those who are in the heavens and on the earth, and (so do) the birds on the wings. Each one of them knows his own (way of) prayer and glorification (according to his or its own faculties). And Allah knows well what they do

24:42  And to Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and to Allah shall all (human beings) eventually return

24:43  Have you not seen that Allah drives the clouds steadily then He draws them together and then He makes them piled up so that you can see the rain pouring forth from their midst? And He sends down clouds (looking) like mountain, wherein is hail and He smites with them whom He pleases and averts them from whom He pleases. The (brilliant) flash of its lightening almost snatches away the sight (rendering the eyes sometimes blind)

24:44  Allah sets the cycle of the night and the day. Surely, in this (law of retardation and acceleration working in this phenomenon of nature) is indeed a lesson (about the spiritual evolution of a human being) for those possessed of understanding

24:45  And Allah has created every animal from water. Some of them move upon their bellies and some move upon two feet and some among them move upon four. Allah creates what He please. Verily, Allah is Possessor of every power to do what He will

24:46  We have certainly sent down revelations which explain the truth. And Allah guides him who desires (to be guided) to the exact straight path

24:47  And (some of the) people say, `We believe in Allah and the Messenger and obey (them). But even after (professing) this a section of them (- the hypocrites) turn away. Such are no believers at all

24:48  When they are summoned before Allah and His Messenger, that he may judge between them, lo! a party of them turn away

24:49  But if (they consider that) the right is on their side they come to him running showing submission

24:50  Is it that their minds are diseased? Or do they suffer from doubts? Or do they fear that Allah and His Messenger will deal with them unjustly? Nay, (wrong are their misgivings,) it is they themselves who are the unjust

24:51  The only response of the believers, when they are summoned before Allah and His Messenger so that he may judge between them, is that they say, `We hear and we obey.' It is they who will attain their goal

24:52  And those who obey Allah and His Messenger and hold Allah in awe and take Him as a shield (for protection) it is they who shall be triumphant

24:53  They (- the hypocrites) swear to Allah by their most earnest oaths that if you only command them (for defensive fight) they will certainly march forth (from their homes). Say, `Do not swear, only reasonable obedience in what is right and lawful (is all that is required from you).' Surely, Allah is Aware of what you do

24:54  Say, `Obey Allah and obey the Messenger.' But if you turn your back (remember that) he (- the Messenger) is responsible for what he is charged with (- the responsibility of conveying the Message) and you are responsible for what you are charged with (- the responsibility of following him). Indeed if you obey him you will be following the right path. (But if you do not, bear in mind,) the Messenger is not responsible but for the delivery (of the message to all) in clear terms

24:55  Allah has promised those of you who believe and do deeds of righteousness that surely, He will make them successors (vouchsafed with both spiritual and temporal leadership) on the earth as He made successors (from among) their predecessors, and that He will surely establish for them their Faith which He has approved for them, and that He will surely replace their state of fear with a state of security and peace. They will worship Me (alone) and they will not associate anything with Me. And those who show ingratitude for all the favours done to them after that (His promise is fulfilled), it is they who will be reckoned as the worst disobedient

24:56  And (believers!) observe the Prayer, keep on presenting the Zakat (purifying dues) and obey the Messenger that you may be shown mercy

24:57  Think not (O reader!) that those who disbelieve can ever be able to frustrate (Our plan on the earth) and escape Us. Their abode is Fire; what an evil resort

24:58  O you who believe! it is binding on those whom your right hands possess (domestic servants) and those (of your children) who have not reached the age of puberty to ask your permission (before coming into your private rooms) in three instances, before the morning Prayer, and when you lay aside your clothes due to the heat (in summer) at noon and after the night Prayer. These are three times when your privacy should be respected. At other times no blame shall lie on you or on them (if they come to you without permission), for they have to move about (waiting upon you) some of you (attending) upon others (according to need). That is how Allah explains to you His commandments, for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise

24:59  When the children among you reach the age of puberty they (too) should seek permission (to come to your rooms) just as those (elderly people mentioned) before them do. That is how Allah explains to you His commandments and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise

24:60  And (as to the elderly spinsters who are past child-bearing age and) who do not hope for sexual intercourse, it is no offence for them to lay aside their outer garments provided they do not do it to display their beauty. But if they abstain (even from that) it is much better for them. Indeed Allah is All-Hearing, All- Knowing

24:61  There is no bar on (and not improper for) the blind, nor is there any bar on (nor improper for) the lame, nor is any bar on (nor improper for) the sick, nor on your people that you eat from your own houses, or the houses of your fathers (and children) 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 paternal aunts, or the houses of your maternal uncles, or the houses of your maternal aunts, or (from) that of which the keys are in your possessions (- which is under your charge), or (from the house of) a friend of yours. No blame lies on you whether you eat together or separately. And when you enter houses greet your people (present therein) with the salutation prescribed by Allah (a salutation) full of blessings and purity. That is how Allah explains to you (His) commandments that you may abstain (from evils)

24:62  True believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and who when they are with him (- the Messenger to confer) upon any matter of common importance which has brought (them) together, do not leave (the Messenger) until they have asked permission of him. Surely, it is those who ask your permission who (truly) believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission for some (urgent and important) affair of their own, give your permission to whom you will of them and ask Allah's protection for them. Verily, Allah is Great Protector, Ever Merciful

24:63  (Believers!) do not treat the call of the Messenger among yourselves like the call of one of you to another. Allah indeed knows those of you who sneak away stealthily (from the conference). So let those who go against His command beware, lest some calamity should befall them or they receive some painful punishment

24:64  Beware! whatever is in the heavens and on the earth belongs to Allah. He ever knows in what state you are (and He knows what you are holding to). The day when all people shall be made to return to Him, He will tell them all they had been doing, for Allah is the Possessor of full knowledge of everything