سُورَةُ النُّورِ

سُورَةٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهَا وَفَرَضۡنَـٰهَا وَأَنزَلۡنَا فِیهَاۤ ءَایَـٰتِۭ بَیِّنَـٰتࣲ لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ (۱)

A Surah [is this] which We have bestowed from on high, and which We have laid down in plain terms; and in it have We bestowed from on high messages which are clear [in themselves], so that you might keep [them] in mind.

ٱلزَّانِیَةُ وَٱلزَّانِی فَٱجۡلِدُوا۟ كُلَّ وَ ٰ⁠حِدࣲ مِّنۡهُمَا مِا۟ئَةَ جَلۡدَةࣲۖ وَلَا تَأۡخُذۡكُم بِهِمَا رَأۡفَةࣱ فِی دِینِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡیَوۡمِ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِۖ وَلۡیَشۡهَدۡ عَذَابَهُمَا طَاۤىِٕفَةࣱ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۲)

AS FOR the adulteress and the adulterer flog each of them with a hundred stripes, and let not compassion with them keep you from [carrying out] this law of God, if you [truly] believe in God and the Last Day; and let a group of the believers witness their chastisement.

ٱلزَّانِی لَا یَنكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِیَةً أَوۡ مُشۡرِكَةࣰ وَٱلزَّانِیَةُ لَا یَنكِحُهَاۤ إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوۡ مُشۡرِكࣱۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۳)

[Both are equally guilty:] the adulterer couples with none other than an adulteress - that is, a woman who accords [to her own lust] a place side by side with God; and with the adulteress couples none other than an adulterer - that is, a man who accords [to his own lust] a place side by side with God: and this is forbidden unto the believers.

وَٱلَّذِینَ یَرۡمُونَ ٱلۡمُحۡصَنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمۡ یَأۡتُوا۟ بِأَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَاۤءَ فَٱجۡلِدُوهُمۡ ثَمَـٰنِینَ جَلۡدَةࣰ وَلَا تَقۡبَلُوا۟ لَهُمۡ شَهَـٰدَةً أَبَدࣰاۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ (۴)

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!

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِینَ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ وَأَصۡلَحُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ (۵)

excepting [from this interdict] only those who afterwards repent and made amends: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

وَٱلَّذِینَ یَرۡمُونَ أَزۡوَ ٰ⁠جَهُمۡ وَلَمۡ یَكُن لَّهُمۡ شُهَدَاۤءُ إِلَّاۤ أَنفُسُهُمۡ فَشَهَـٰدَةُ أَحَدِهِمۡ أَرۡبَعُ شَهَـٰدَ ٰ⁠تِۭ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ (۶)

And as for those who accuse their own wives [of adultery], but have no witnesses except them­selves, let each of these [accusers] call God four times to witness that he is indeed telling the truth,

وَٱلۡخَـٰمِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡهِ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِینَ (۷)

and the fifth time, that God’s curse be upon him if he is telling a lie.

وَیَدۡرَؤُا۟ عَنۡهَا ٱلۡعَذَابَ أَن تَشۡهَدَ أَرۡبَعَ شَهَـٰدَ ٰ⁠تِۭ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِینَ (۸)

But [as for the wife, all] chastisement shall be averted from her by her calling God four times to witness that he is indeed telling a lie,

وَٱلۡخَـٰمِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡهَاۤ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ (۹)

and the fifth [time], that God’s curse be upon her if he is telling the truth,

وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِیمٌ (۱۰)

AND WERE it not for God’s favour upon you, [O man,] and His grace, and that God is a wise acceptor of repentance...!

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ جَاۤءُو بِٱلۡإِفۡكِ عُصۡبَةࣱ مِّنكُمۡۚ لَا تَحۡسَبُوهُ شَرࣰّا لَّكُمۖ بَلۡ هُوَ خَیۡرࣱ لَّكُمۡۚ لِكُلِّ ٱمۡرِئࣲ مِّنۡهُم مَّا ٱكۡتَسَبَ مِنَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِۚ وَٱلَّذِی تَوَلَّىٰ كِبۡرَهُۥ مِنۡهُمۡ لَهُۥ عَذَابٌ عَظِیمࣱ (۱۱)

Verily, numerous among you are those who would falsely accuse others of unchastity: [but, O you who are thus wronged,] deem it not a bad thing for you: nay, it is good for you! [As for the slanderers,] unto every one of them [will be accounted] all that he has earned by [thus] sinning; and awesome suffering awaits any of them who takes it upon himself to enhance this [sin]!

لَّوۡلَاۤ إِذۡ سَمِعۡتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتُ بِأَنفُسِهِمۡ خَیۡرࣰا وَقَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَاۤ إِفۡكࣱ مُّبِینࣱ (۱۲)

Why do not the believing men and women, whenever such [a rumour] is heard, think the best of one another and say, “This is an obvious falsehood”?

لَّوۡلَا جَاۤءُو عَلَیۡهِ بِأَرۡبَعَةِ شُهَدَاۤءَۚ فَإِذۡ لَمۡ یَأۡتُوا۟ بِٱلشُّهَدَاۤءِ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبُونَ (۱۳)

why do they not [demand of the accusers that they] their allegation? for, if they do not produce such wit­nesses, it is those [accusers] who, in the sight of God, are liars indeed!

وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ فِی ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمۡ فِی مَاۤ أَفَضۡتُمۡ فِیهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِیمٌ (۱۴)

And were it not for God’s favour upon you, [O men,] and His grace in this world and in the life to come, awesome suffering would indeed have afflicted you in result of all [the calumny] in which you indulge

إِذۡ تَلَقَّوۡنَهُۥ بِأَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَاهِكُم مَّا لَیۡسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمࣱ وَتَحۡسَبُونَهُۥ هَیِّنࣰا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِیمࣱ (۱۵)

when you take it up with your tongues, uttering with your mouths something of which you have no knowledge, and deeming it a light matter whereas in the sight of God it is an awful thing!

وَلَوۡلَاۤ إِذۡ سَمِعۡتُمُوهُ قُلۡتُم مَّا یَكُونُ لَنَاۤ أَن نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهَـٰذَا سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ هَـٰذَا بُهۡتَـٰنٌ عَظِیمࣱ (۱۶)

And [once again]: Why do you not say, whenever you hear such [a rumour], “It does not behove us to speak of this, O Thou who art limitless in Thy glory: this is an awesome calumny”?

یَعِظُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَن تَعُودُوا۟ لِمِثۡلِهِۦۤ أَبَدًا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِینَ (۱۷)

God admonishes you [hereby] lest you ever revert to the like of this [sin], if you are [truly] believers;

وَیُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡـَٔایَـٰتِۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِیمٌ حَكِیمٌ (۱۸)

for God makes [His] messages clear unto you - and God is all-knowing, Wise!

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ یُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِیعَ ٱلۡفَـٰحِشَةُ فِی ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِیمࣱ فِی ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِۚ وَٱللَّهُ یَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (۱۹)

Verily, as for those who like [to hear] foul slander spread against [any of] those who have attained to faith grievous suffering awaits them in this world and in the life to come: for God knows [the full truth], whereas you know [it] not.

وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَءُوفࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ (۲۰)

And were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, and that God is compassionate, a dispenser of grace...!

۞ یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَ ٰ⁠تِ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنِۚ وَمَن یَتَّبِعۡ خُطُوَ ٰ⁠تِ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنِ فَإِنَّهُۥ یَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡفَحۡشَاۤءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِۚ وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُۥ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنكُم مِّنۡ أَحَدٍ أَبَدࣰا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُزَكِّی مَن یَشَاۤءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِیعٌ عَلِیمࣱ (۲۱)

O You who have attained to faith! Follow not Satan’s footsteps: for he who follows Satan’s foot­steps [will find that], behold, he enjoins but deeds of abomination and all that runs counter to reason. And were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, not one of you would ever have remained pure. For [thus it is:] God who causes whomever He wills to grow in purity: for God is all-hearing, all-­knowing.

وَلَا یَأۡتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلۡفَضۡلِ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن یُؤۡتُوۤا۟ أُو۟لِی ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِینَ وَٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِینَ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَلۡیَعۡفُوا۟ وَلۡیَصۡفَحُوۤا۟ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن یَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمٌ (۲۲)

Hence, [even if they have been wronged by slander,] let not those of you who have been graced with God’s favour and ease of life ever become remiss in helping [the erring ones among] their near of kin, and the needy, and those who have forsaken the domain of evil for the sake of God, but let them pardon and forbear. [For,] do you not desire that God should forgive you your sins, seeing that God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace?

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ یَرۡمُونَ ٱلۡمُحۡصَنَـٰتِ ٱلۡغَـٰفِلَـٰتِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ لُعِنُوا۟ فِی ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَٱلۡـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِیمࣱ (۲۳)

[But,] verily, those who [falsely, and without repentance,] accuse chaste women who may have been unthinkingly careless but have remained true to their faith, shall be rejected [from God’s grace] in this world as well as in the life to come: and awesome suffering awaits them

یَوۡمَ تَشۡهَدُ عَلَیۡهِمۡ أَلۡسِنَتُهُمۡ وَأَیۡدِیهِمۡ وَأَرۡجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡمَلُونَ (۲۴)

on the Day when their own tongues and hands and feet will bear witness against them by [recalling] all that they did!

یَوۡمَىِٕذࣲ یُوَفِّیهِمُ ٱللَّهُ دِینَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَیَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ ٱلۡمُبِینُ (۲۵)

On that day God will pay them in full their just due, and they will come to know that God alone is the Ultimate Truth, manifest, and manifesting [the true nature of all that has ever been done].

ٱلۡخَبِیثَـٰتُ لِلۡخَبِیثِینَ وَٱلۡخَبِیثُونَ لِلۡخَبِیثَـٰتِۖ وَٱلطَّیِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّیِّبِینَ وَٱلطَّیِّبُونَ لِلطَّیِّبَـٰتِۚ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا یَقُولُونَۖ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣱ وَرِزۡقࣱ كَرِیمࣱ (۲۶)

[In the nature of things,] corrupt women are for corrupt men, and corrupt men, for corrupt women - just as good women are for good men, and good men, for good women. [Since God is aware that] these are innocent of all that evil tongues may impute to them, forgiveness of sins shall be theirs, and a most excellent sustenance!

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدۡخُلُوا۟ بُیُوتًا غَیۡرَ بُیُوتِكُمۡ حَتَّىٰ تَسۡتَأۡنِسُوا۟ وَتُسَلِّمُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَهۡلِهَاۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكُمۡ خَیۡرࣱ لَّكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ (۲۷)

O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inmates. This is [enjoined upon you] for your own good, so that you might bear [your mutual rights] in mind.

فَإِن لَّمۡ تَجِدُوا۟ فِیهَاۤ أَحَدࣰا فَلَا تَدۡخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ یُؤۡذَنَ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِن قِیلَ لَكُمُ ٱرۡجِعُوا۟ فَٱرۡجِعُوا۟ۖ هُوَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ عَلِیمࣱ (۲۸)

Hence, [even] if you find no one within [the house], do not enter it until you are given leave; and if you are told, “Turn back,” then turn back. This will be most conducive to your purity; and God has full knowledge of all that you do.

لَّیۡسَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَدۡخُلُوا۟ بُیُوتًا غَیۡرَ مَسۡكُونَةࣲ فِیهَا مَتَـٰعࣱ لَّكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ یَعۡلَمُ مَا تُبۡدُونَ وَمَا تَكۡتُمُونَ (۲۹)

[On the other hand,] you will incur no sin if you [freely] enter houses not intended for living in but serving a purpose useful to you: but [always remember that] God knows all that you do openly, and all that you would conceal.

قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ یَغُضُّوا۟ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِمۡ وَیَحۡفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمۡۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِیرُۢ بِمَا یَصۡنَعُونَ (۳۰)

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity: this will be most con­ducive to their purity – [and,] verily, God is aware of all that they do.

وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ یَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَیَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا یُبۡدِینَ زِینَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَاۖ وَلۡیَضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُیُوبِهِنَّۖ وَلَا یُبۡدِینَ زِینَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَاۤءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَاۤءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَ ٰ⁠نِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِیۤ إِخۡوَ ٰ⁠نِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِیۤ أَخَوَ ٰ⁠تِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِینَ غَیۡرِ أُو۟لِی ٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِینَ لَمۡ یَظۡهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَ ٰ⁠تِ ٱلنِّسَاۤءِۖ وَلَا یَضۡرِبۡنَ بِأَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِیُعۡلَمَ مَا یُخۡفِینَ مِن زِینَتِهِنَّۚ وَتُوبُوۤا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِیعًا أَیُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ (۳۱)

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ Sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, or children that are as yet unaware of women’s nakedness; and let them not swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state!

وَأَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلۡأَیَـٰمَىٰ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِینَ مِنۡ عِبَادِكُمۡ وَإِمَاۤىِٕكُمۡۚ إِن یَكُونُوا۟ فُقَرَاۤءَ یُغۡنِهِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَ ٰ⁠سِعٌ عَلِیمࣱ (۳۲)

AND [you ought to] marry the single from among you as well as such of your male and female slaves as are fit [for marriage]. If they [whom you intend to marry] are poor, [let this not deter you;] God will grant them sufficiency out of His bounty - for God is infinite [in His mercy], all-knowing.

وَلۡیَسۡتَعۡفِفِ ٱلَّذِینَ لَا یَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ یُغۡنِیَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۗ وَٱلَّذِینَ یَبۡتَغُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُكُمۡ فَكَاتِبُوهُمۡ إِنۡ عَلِمۡتُمۡ فِیهِمۡ خَیۡرࣰاۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِیۤ ءَاتَىٰكُمۡۚ وَلَا تُكۡرِهُوا۟ فَتَیَـٰتِكُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡبِغَاۤءِ إِنۡ أَرَدۡنَ تَحَصُّنࣰا لِّتَبۡتَغُوا۟ عَرَضَ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَاۚ وَمَن یُكۡرِههُّنَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ إِكۡرَ ٰ⁠هِهِنَّ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ (۳۳)

And as for those who are unable to marry, let them live in continence until God grants them sufficiency out of His bounty, And if any of those whom you rightfully possess desire [to obtain] a deed of freedom, write it out for them if you are aware of any good in them: and give them [their share of the wealth of God which He has given you. And do not, in order to gain some of the fleeting pleasures of this worldly life, coerce your [slave] maidens into whoredom if they happen to be desirous of marriage; and if anyone should coerce them, then, verily, after they have been compelled [to submit in their helplessness], God will be much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace!

وَلَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَاۤ إِلَیۡكُمۡ ءَایَـٰتࣲ مُّبَیِّنَـٰتࣲ وَمَثَلࣰا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِینَ خَلَوۡا۟ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمَوۡعِظَةࣰ لِّلۡمُتَّقِینَ (۳۴)

AND, INDEED, from on high have We bestowed upon you messages clearly showing the truth, and [many] a lesson from [the stories of] those who have passed away before you, and [many] an admonition to the God-conscious.

۞ ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشۡكَوٰةࣲ فِیهَا مِصۡبَاحٌۖ ٱلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِی زُجَاجَةٍۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوۡكَبࣱ دُرِّیࣱّ یُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةࣲ مُّبَـٰرَكَةࣲ زَیۡتُونَةࣲ لَّا شَرۡقِیَّةࣲ وَلَا غَرۡبِیَّةࣲ یَكَادُ زَیۡتُهَا یُضِیۤءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡهُ نَارࣱۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورࣲۚ یَهۡدِی ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن یَشَاۤءُۚ وَیَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَـٰلَ لِلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمࣱ (۳۵)

God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed] in glass, the glass [shining] like a radiant star: [a lamp] lit from a blessed tree - an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west the oil whereof [is so bright that it] would well-nigh give light [of itself] even though fire had not touched it: light upon light! God guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] God propounds parables unto men, since God [alone] has full knowledge of all things.

فِی بُیُوتٍ أَذِنَ ٱللَّهُ أَن تُرۡفَعَ وَیُذۡكَرَ فِیهَا ٱسۡمُهُۥ یُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ فِیهَا بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡـَٔاصَالِ (۳۶)

IN THE HOUSES [of worship] which God has allowed to be raised so that His name be remembered in them, there [are such as] extol His limitless glory at morn and evening –

رِجَالࣱ لَّا تُلۡهِیهِمۡ تِجَـٰرَةࣱ وَلَا بَیۡعٌ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِیتَاۤءِ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ یَخَافُونَ یَوۡمࣰا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِیهِ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرُ (۳۷)

people whom neither [worldly] commerce nor striving after gain can divert from the remembrance of God, and from con­stancy in prayer, and from charity: [people] who are filled with fear [at the thought] of the Day On which all hearts and eyes will be convulsed,

لِیَجۡزِیَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَیَزِیدَهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ یَرۡزُقُ مَن یَشَاۤءُ بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابࣲ (۳۸)

[and who only hope] that God may reward them in accordance with the best that they ever did, and give them, out of His bounty, more [than they deserve]: for, God grants sustenance unto whom He wills, beyond all reckon­ing.

وَٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوۤا۟ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِیعَةࣲ یَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَاۤءً حَتَّىٰۤ إِذَا جَاۤءَهُۥ لَمۡ یَجِدۡهُ شَیۡـࣰٔا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ فَوَفَّىٰهُ حِسَابَهُۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِیعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ (۳۹)

But as for those who are bent on denying the truth, their [good] deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water – until, when he approaches it, he finds that it was nothing: instead, he finds [that] God [has always been present] with him, and [that] He will pay him his account in full - for God is swift in reckoning!

أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـٰتࣲ فِی بَحۡرࣲ لُّجِّیࣲّ یَغۡشَىٰهُ مَوۡجࣱ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ مَوۡجࣱ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ سَحَابࣱۚ ظُلُمَـٰتُۢ بَعۡضُهَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ إِذَاۤ أَخۡرَجَ یَدَهُۥ لَمۡ یَكَدۡ یَرَىٰهَاۗ وَمَن لَّمۡ یَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورࣰا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ (۴۰)

Or [else, their deeds are] like the depths of darkness upon an abysmal sea, made yet more dark by wave billowing over wave, with [black] clouds above it all: depths of darkness, layer upon layer, [so that] when one holds up his hand, he can hardly see it: for he to whom God gives no light, no light whatever has he!

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلطَّیۡرُ صَـٰۤفَّـٰتࣲۖ كُلࣱّ قَدۡ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسۡبِیحَهُۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِیمُۢ بِمَا یَفۡعَلُونَ (۴۱)

ART THOU NOT aware that it is God whose limit­less glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings? Each [of them] knows indeed how to pray unto Him and to glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do:

وَلِلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمَصِیرُ (۴۲)

for, God’s is the dominion over the heavens and the earth, and with God is all journeys’ end.

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ یُزۡجِی سَحَابࣰا ثُمَّ یُؤَلِّفُ بَیۡنَهُۥ ثُمَّ یَجۡعَلُهُۥ رُكَامࣰا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ یَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ وَیُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَاۤءِ مِن جِبَالࣲ فِیهَا مِنۢ بَرَدࣲ فَیُصِیبُ بِهِۦ مَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَصۡرِفُهُۥ عَن مَّن یَشَاۤءُۖ یَكَادُ سَنَا بَرۡقِهِۦ یَذۡهَبُ بِٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرِ (۴۳)

Art thou not aware that it is God who causes the clouds to move onward, then joins them together, then piles them up in masses, until thou can see rain come forth from their midst? And He it is who sends down from the skies, by degrees, mountainous masses [of clouds] charged with hail, striking therewith whomever He wills and averting it from whomever He wills, [the while] the flash of His lightning well-nigh deprives [men of their] sight!

یُقَلِّبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّیۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَۚ إِنَّ فِی ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ لَعِبۡرَةࣰ لِّأُو۟لِی ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرِ (۴۴)

It is God who causes night and day to alter­nate: in this [too], behold, there is surely a lesson for all who have eyes to see!

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَاۤبَّةࣲ مِّن مَّاۤءࣲۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن یَمۡشِی عَلَىٰ بَطۡنِهِۦ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن یَمۡشِی عَلَىٰ رِجۡلَیۡنِ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن یَمۡشِی عَلَىٰۤ أَرۡبَعࣲۚ یَخۡلُقُ ٱللَّهُ مَا یَشَاۤءُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَیۡءࣲ قَدِیرࣱ (۴۵)

And it is God who has created all animals out of water; and [He has willed that] among them are such as crawl on their bellies, and such as walk on two legs, and such as walk on four. God creates what He will: for, verily, God has the power to will anything.

لَّقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَاۤ ءَایَـٰتࣲ مُّبَیِّنَـٰتࣲۚ وَٱللَّهُ یَهۡدِی مَن یَشَاۤءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَ ٰ⁠طࣲ مُّسۡتَقِیمࣲ (۴۶)

INDEED, from on high have We bestowed messages clearly showing the truth; but God guides onto a straight way [only] him that wills [to be guided].

وَیَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلرَّسُولِ وَأَطَعۡنَا ثُمَّ یَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِیقࣱ مِّنۡهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَۚ وَمَاۤ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۴۷)

For, [many are] they [who] say, “We believe in God and in the Apostle, and we pay heed!” - but then, some of them turn away after this [assertion]: and these are by no means [true] believers.

وَإِذَا دُعُوۤا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ لِیَحۡكُمَ بَیۡنَهُمۡ إِذَا فَرِیقࣱ مِّنۡهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ (۴۸)

And [so it is that] whenever they are summoned unto God and His Apostle in order that [the divine writ] might judge between them, lo! some of them turn away;

وَإِن یَكُن لَّهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ یَأۡتُوۤا۟ إِلَیۡهِ مُذۡعِنِینَ (۴۹)

but if the truth happens to be to their liking, they are quite willing to accept it!

أَفِی قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَمِ ٱرۡتَابُوۤا۟ أَمۡ یَخَافُونَ أَن یَحِیفَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَیۡهِمۡ وَرَسُولُهُۥۚ بَلۡ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ (۵۰)

Is there disease in their hearts? Or have they begun to doubt [that this is a divine writ]? Or do they fear that God and His Apostle might deal unjustly with them? Nay, it is [but] they, they who are doing wrong [to themselves]!

إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوۡلَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ إِذَا دُعُوۤا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ لِیَحۡكُمَ بَیۡنَهُمۡ أَن یَقُولُوا۟ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَاۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (۵۱)

The only response of believers, whenever they are summoned unto God and His Apostle in order that [the divine writ] might judge between them, can be no other than, “We have heard, and we pay heed!”- and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state:

وَمَن یُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَیَخۡشَ ٱللَّهَ وَیَتَّقۡهِ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَاۤىِٕزُونَ (۵۲)

for, they who pay heed unto God and His Apostle, and stand in awe of God and are conscious of Him, it is they, they who shall triumph [in the end]!

۞ وَأَقۡسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهۡدَ أَیۡمَـٰنِهِمۡ لَىِٕنۡ أَمَرۡتَهُمۡ لَیَخۡرُجُنَّۖ قُل لَّا تُقۡسِمُوا۟ۖ طَاعَةࣱ مَّعۡرُوفَةٌۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِیرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ (۵۳)

Now [as for those half-hearted ones,] they do swear by God with their most solemn oaths that if thou [O Apostle] shouldst ever bid them to do so, they would most certainly go forth [and sacrifice themselves]. Say: “Swear not! Reasonable compliance [with God’s message is all that is required of you]. Verily, God is aware of all that you do!”

قُلۡ أَطِیعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِیعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَیۡهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَیۡكُم مَّا حُمِّلۡتُمۡۖ وَإِن تُطِیعُوهُ تَهۡتَدُوا۟ۚ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِینُ (۵۴)

Say: “Pay heed unto God, and pay heed unto the Apostle.” And if you turn away [from the Apostle, know that] he will have to answer only for whatever he has been charged with, and you, for what you have been charged with; but if you pay heed unto him, you will be on the right way. Withal, the Apostle is not bound to do more than clearly deliver the message [entrust­ed to him].

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمۡ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَیَسۡتَخۡلِفَنَّهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كَمَا ٱسۡتَخۡلَفَ ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَلَیُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ دِینَهُمُ ٱلَّذِی ٱرۡتَضَىٰ لَهُمۡ وَلَیُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَوۡفِهِمۡ أَمۡنࣰاۚ یَعۡبُدُونَنِی لَا یُشۡرِكُونَ بِی شَیۡـࣰٔاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعۡدَ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ (۵۵)

God has promised those of you who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds that, of a certainty, He will cause them to accede to power on earth, even as He caused [some of] those who lived before them to accede to it; and that, of a certainty, He will firmly establish for them the religion which He has been pleased to bestow on them; and that, of a certainty, He will cause their erstwhile state of fear to be replaced by a sense of security [seeing that] they worship Me [alone], not ascribing divine powers to aught beside Me. But all who, after [having understood] this, choose to deny the truth - it is they, they who are truly iniquitous!

وَأَقِیمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَطِیعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ (۵۶)

Hence, [O believers,] be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and pay heed unto the Apostle, so that you might be graced with God’s mercy.

لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ مُعۡجِزِینَ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُۖ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِیرُ (۵۷)

[And] think not that those who are bent on denying the truth can elude [their final reckoning even if they remain unscathed] on earth: the fire is their goal [in the life to come] - and vile indeed is such a journey’s end!

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِیَسۡتَـٔۡذِنكُمُ ٱلَّذِینَ مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِینَ لَمۡ یَبۡلُغُوا۟ ٱلۡحُلُمَ مِنكُمۡ ثَلَـٰثَ مَرَّ ٰ⁠تࣲۚ مِّن قَبۡلِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ وَحِینَ تَضَعُونَ ثِیَابَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظَّهِیرَةِ وَمِنۢ بَعۡدِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلۡعِشَاۤءِۚ ثَلَـٰثُ عَوۡرَ ٰ⁠تࣲ لَّكُمۡۚ لَیۡسَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ وَلَا عَلَیۡهِمۡ جُنَاحُۢ بَعۡدَهُنَّۚ طَوَّ ٰ⁠فُونَ عَلَیۡكُم بَعۡضُكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲۚ كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡـَٔایَـٰتِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِیمٌ حَكِیمࣱ (۵۸)

O YOU who have attained to faith! At three times [of day], let [even] those whom you rightfully pos­sess, as well as those from among you who have not yet attained to puberty, ask leave of you [before intruding upon your privacy]: before the prayer of daybreak, and whenever you lay aside your garments in the middle of the day, and after the prayer of nightfall: the three occasions on which your nakedness is likely to be bared. Beyond these [occasions], neither you nor they will incur any sin if they move [freely] about you, attending to [the needs of] one another. In this way God makes clear unto you His mes­sages: for God is all-knowing, wise!

وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلۡأَطۡفَـٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلۡحُلُمَ فَلۡیَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُوا۟ كَمَا ٱسۡتَـٔۡذَنَ ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِیمٌ حَكِیمࣱ (۵۹)

Yet when the children among you attain to puberty, let them ask leave of you [at all times], even as those [who have reached maturity] before them have been enjoined to ask it. In this way God makes clear unto you His mes­sages: for God is all-knowing, wise!

وَٱلۡقَوَ ٰ⁠عِدُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ ٱلَّـٰتِی لَا یَرۡجُونَ نِكَاحࣰا فَلَیۡسَ عَلَیۡهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن یَضَعۡنَ ثِیَابَهُنَّ غَیۡرَ مُتَبَرِّجَـٰتِۭ بِزِینَةࣲۖ وَأَن یَسۡتَعۡفِفۡنَ خَیۡرࣱ لَّهُنَّۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِیعٌ عَلِیمࣱ (۶۰)

AND [know that] women advanced in years, who no longer feel any sexual desire, incur no sin if they discard their [outer] garments, provided they do not aim at a showy display of [their] charms. But [even so,] it is better for them to abstain [from this]: and God is all-hearing, all-knowing.

لَّیۡسَ عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَجِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلۡمَرِیضِ حَرَجࣱ وَلَا عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَن تَأۡكُلُوا۟ مِنۢ بُیُوتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ ءَابَاۤىِٕكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ إِخۡوَ ٰ⁠نِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ أَخَوَ ٰ⁠تِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ أَعۡمَـٰمِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ عَمَّـٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ أَخۡوَ ٰ⁠لِكُمۡ أَوۡ بُیُوتِ خَـٰلَـٰتِكُمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكۡتُم مَّفَاتِحَهُۥۤ أَوۡ صَدِیقِكُمۡۚ لَیۡسَ عَلَیۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَأۡكُلُوا۟ جَمِیعًا أَوۡ أَشۡتَاتࣰاۚ فَإِذَا دَخَلۡتُم بُیُوتࣰا فَسَلِّمُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِكُمۡ تَحِیَّةࣰ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَـٰرَكَةࣰ طَیِّبَةࣰۚ كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡـَٔایَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ (۶۱)

[ALL OF YOU, O believers, are brethren: hence.] no blame attaches to the blind, nor does blame attach to the lame, nor does blame attach to the sick [for accepting charity from the hale], and neither to your­selves for eating [whatever is offered to you by others, whether it be food obtained] from your [chil­dren’s] houses, or your fathers’ houses, or your mothers’ houses, or your brothers’ houses, or your sisters’ houses, or your paternal uncles’ houses, or your paternal aunts’ houses, or your maternal uncles’ houses, or your maternal aunts’ houses, or [houses] the keys whereof are in your charge! or [the house] of any of your friends; nor will you incur any sin by eating in company or separately. But whenever you enter [any of these] houses, greet one another with a blessed, goodly greeting, as enjoined by God. In this way God makes clear unto you His mes­sages, so that you might [learn to] use your reason.

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَإِذَا كَانُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ عَلَىٰۤ أَمۡرࣲ جَامِعࣲ لَّمۡ یَذۡهَبُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ یَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُوهُۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ یَسۡتَـٔۡذِنُونَكَ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ ٱلَّذِینَ یُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۚ فَإِذَا ٱسۡتَـٔۡذَنُوكَ لِبَعۡضِ شَأۡنِهِمۡ فَأۡذَن لِّمَن شِئۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ (۶۲)

[TRUE BELIEVERS are only they who have attained to faith in God and His Apostle, and who, whenever they are [engaged] with him upon a matter of concern to the whole community do not depart [from whatever has been decided upon] unless they have sought [and obtained] his leave. Verily, those who [do not abstain from the agreed ­upon action unless they] ask leave of thee - it is [only] they who [truly] believe in God and His Apostle! Hence, when they ask leave of thee for some [valid] reason of their own, grant thou this leave to whomsoever of them thou choose [to grant it], and ask God to forgive them: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace!

لَّا تَجۡعَلُوا۟ دُعَاۤءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَیۡنَكُمۡ كَدُعَاۤءِ بَعۡضِكُم بَعۡضࣰاۚ قَدۡ یَعۡلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِینَ یَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمۡ لِوَاذࣰاۚ فَلۡیَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِینَ یُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ أَن تُصِیبَهُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ أَوۡ یُصِیبَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِیمٌ (۶۳)

DO NOT regard the Apostles summons to you [in the same light] as a summons of one of you to another: God is indeed aware of those of you who would withdraw surreptitiously: so let those who would go against His bidding beware, lest a [bitter] trial befall them [in this world] or grievous suffering befall them [in the life to come].

أَلَاۤ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ قَدۡ یَعۡلَمُ مَاۤ أَنتُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ وَیَوۡمَ یُرۡجَعُونَ إِلَیۡهِ فَیُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیمُۢ (۶۴)

Oh, verily, unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: well does He know where you stand and at what you aim! And one Day, all [who have ever lived] will be brought back unto Him, and then He will make them [truly] understand all that they were doing [in life]: for, God has full knowledge of everything.