An-Nur

This surah sets out rulings, sent down by Allah. Unlawful relations are punished only under strict law, and anyone who accuses chaste women without four witnesses is lashed and never believed again. A husband with no witnesses swears four oaths and a fifth, and so may his wife. Then the great lie: why, when you heard it, did you not think well of your own people and say, “This is an obvious falsehood”? You thought it a small matter, while with Allah it was tremendous. Those with wealth should not swear to stop giving to their relatives: “Would you not love Allah to forgive you?” On the Day their own tongues, hands and feet will testify. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have asked permission and greeted their people. Believing men, and then believing women, are told to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and women to draw their head coverings over their chests. Marry off the unmarried, and force no one into prostitution. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth, and the example of His light is a niche with a lamp, lit from a blessed olive tree: light upon light. In houses raised for His name, people glorify Him morning and evening. The deeds of those who disbelieve are a mirage, or darkness upon darkness in a deep sea. Birds, clouds, night and day, and every creature made from water are signs. The hypocrites say they obey, then turn away; the believers say, “We hear and we obey.” Allah promises those who believe that He will establish them and give them safety after fear. Then come manners at home: children ask permission at three times, and no one need feel shame eating in a relative’s house. Allah knows those who slip away, and He knows what you are upon.