In the name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Caring.

1. This is a chapter that We sent down and made its rules clear. We sent down clear verses in it, so you can remember and learn.

2. If a woman or a man does something very wrong, punish each of them with one hundred lashes. Don't feel sorry for them when following Allah's rules, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers watch their punishment.

3. A man who does this wrong thing can only marry a woman who also does it, or someone who worships idols. And a woman who does this wrong thing can only marry a man who also does it, or someone who worships idols. This is forbidden for believers.

4. Those who accuse good women of doing wrong things, but don't bring four witnesses, punish them with eighty lashes. Never accept what they say again. They are the ones who disobey Allah.

5. But if they feel sorry afterward and fix their behavior, then Allah is forgiving and kind.

6. If someone accuses his own wife but has no witnesses except himself, he must promise four times by Allah that he's telling the truth.

7. And the fifth time, he must say that Allah will curse him if he's lying.

8. But the wife won't be punished if she promises four times by Allah that her husband is lying.

9. And the fifth time, she must say that Allah will be angry with her if her husband is telling the truth.

10. You should be thankful for Allah's kindness and mercy toward you, and remember that Allah always accepts those who are sorry, and He is very wise.

11. Those who told the big lie were a group among you. Don't think it's bad for you — it's actually good for you. Each one of them will get the punishment for the wrong they did. And the one who started it will have a big punishment.

12. When you heard it, why didn't the believing men and women think good thoughts about each other, and say, "This is clearly a big lie"?

13. Why didn't they bring four witnesses to prove it? Since they didn't bring witnesses, they're the ones who are lying in Allah's eyes.

14. If it wasn't for Allah's kindness and mercy to you in this world and the Hereafter, you would have had a big punishment for what you talked about.

15. You passed it from one tongue to another, saying things with your mouths that you didn't really know. You thought it was small, but to Allah it was very serious.

16. When you heard it, why didn't you say, "We shouldn't talk about this! Glory to You, Allah — this is a terrible lie"?

17. Allah teaches you clearly, so you never do anything like this again, if you truly believe.

18. Allah explains His lessons clearly to you. Allah knows everything and is very wise.

19. Those who like to spread bad things about believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you don't know.

20. If it wasn't for Allah's kindness and mercy to you, and that Allah is gentle and caring.

21. Believers, don't follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows Satan's footsteps — Satan tells them to do bad and wrong things. Without Allah's kindness and mercy, none of you would ever become good. But Allah makes whoever He wants good. Allah hears everything and knows everything.

22. Those of you who have plenty shouldn't stop giving to their relatives, the poor, and those who migrated for Allah's sake. Forgive and let things go. Don't you want Allah to forgive you? Allah is forgiving and kind.

23. Those who say mean lies about good, innocent, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter. They'll have a big punishment.

24. On the Day of Judgment, their own tongues, hands, and feet will speak against them, telling what they used to do.

25. On that day, Allah will give them what they really deserve. They'll know that Allah is the clear truth.

26. Bad women are for bad men, and bad men are for bad women. Good women are for good men, and good men are for good women. Those good people are innocent of the bad things others say about them. They'll have forgiveness and a generous reward.

27. Believers, don't enter houses that aren't yours until you ask permission and greet the people inside. That's better for you, so you can remember to do what's right.

28. If you don't find anyone inside, don't go in until you're allowed. If you're told, "Go back," then go back. That's better and purer for you. Allah knows everything you do.

29. There's nothing wrong with entering houses that no one lives in, if you have things there you need. Allah knows what you show and what you hide.

30. Tell believing men to lower their eyes and guard their private parts. That's cleaner and better for them. Allah knows exactly what they do.

31. And tell believing women to lower their eyes and guard their private parts. They shouldn't show their beauty, except what naturally appears. They should cover their chests with their scarves. They shouldn't show their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, other women, their female helpers, men who don't have desire for women, or children who don't yet understand women's privacy. They shouldn't stamp their feet to show the beauty they're hiding. Believers, turn back to Allah, and you will be successful.

32. Help those among you who aren't married yet to get married, and also the good men and women who work for you. If they're poor, Allah will give them enough from His kindness. Allah is generous and knows everything.

33. Those who can't find someone to marry should wait patiently until Allah gives them enough from His kindness. If any of those under your care ask to earn their freedom, and you see they're good, then make a freedom agreement with them. Give them some of the money Allah has given you. And don't force your girls to do something wrong just to get money in this life, especially when they want to stay good. If someone forces them, then after that, Allah is forgiving and kind.

34. We have sent down clear verses to you, and examples of people who lived before you, and lessons for those who are careful to obey Allah.

35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light is like a niche with a lamp inside. The lamp is inside a shiny glass, and the glass shines like a shining star. The lamp is lit from the oil of a blessed olive tree — not from the east or the west, but from a special place. Its oil almost shines by itself, even if no fire touches it. Light upon light! Allah guides whoever He wants to His Light. Allah gives examples to people, and Allah knows everything.

36. This Light shines in houses that Allah said should be honored, where His name is remembered, and where people praise Him in the mornings and evenings.

37. In these houses are men who aren't distracted by buying or selling. They always remember Allah, pray regularly, and give charity. They worry about a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble.

38. Allah will reward them for the best things they've done, and He'll give them even more from His kindness. Allah gives to whoever He wants without limit.

39. But those who don't believe — their actions are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks it's water, but when he gets there, he finds nothing. Instead, he finds Allah there, Who gives him what he deserves. Allah is quick to judge.

40. Or their actions are like darkness in a deep ocean, covered by waves upon waves, with dark clouds above. Darkness on top of darkness — if someone puts out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whoever Allah doesn't give light to, will have no light at all.

41. Don't you see that everyone in the heavens and the earth praises Allah? Even the birds, flying with their wings outstretched, praise Him. Each one knows exactly how to pray and praise Him. And Allah knows everything they do.

42. Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah, and everyone will return to Him.

43. Don't you see how Allah gently moves the clouds, then joins them together, and piles them up high? Then you see rain coming from between them. He sends down hail from mountains of clouds in the sky, and He makes it fall on whoever He wants, and keeps it away from whoever He wants. The flash of lightning is so bright, it almost takes away people's sight.

44. Allah changes night into day, and day into night. In this, there's a clear lesson for people who look carefully.

45. Allah created every living creature from water. Some crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. Allah creates whatever He wants. Allah is able to do all things.

46. We have sent down clear verses. Allah guides whoever He wants to the straight path.

47. Some people say, "We believe in Allah and the Messenger, and we obey." But after that, some of them turn away. Those people aren't really believers.

48. When they're called to Allah and His Messenger, so he can judge between them, some of them turn away.

49. But if the decision is in their favor, they come to him right away and agree.

50. Is there sickness in their hearts? Or do they doubt? Or are they afraid that Allah and His Messenger would treat them unfairly? No, they're the ones who are doing wrong.

51. When true believers are called to Allah and His Messenger, so he can judge between them, they say, "We hear and we obey." Those are the ones who will succeed.

52. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, respects Allah, and is careful to obey Him — those are the winners.

53. They promise strongly by Allah, "If you tell us, we'll surely go out." Say, "Don't promise. Just show clear obedience. Allah knows exactly what you do."

54. Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger." But if they turn away, he's only responsible for what he's been asked to do, and you're responsible for what you've been asked to do. If you obey him, you'll be guided. The Messenger's only job is to clearly deliver the message.

55. Allah promises the believers who do good things: He will let them be in charge on earth, just like He let others be in charge before them. He'll make their religion strong — the religion He chose for them — and He'll change their fear into safety. They'll worship Me and won't worship anything else besides Me. But whoever disbelieves after that — those are the ones who disobey.

56. Keep up the prayer, give charity, and obey the Messenger, so that you may receive mercy.

57. Don't think those who disbelieve can escape Allah on earth. Their home will be the Fire. What a terrible place to end up!

58. Believers, the people who live in your home and are under your care, and children who haven't grown up yet, should ask your permission before coming into your rooms at three special times: before the morning prayer, when you take off your clothes at noon, and after the night prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, there's no harm if you visit each other freely. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you. Allah knows everything and is very wise.

59. When your children grow up, they should ask permission every time, just like older people do. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you. Allah knows everything and is very wise.

60. Older women who don't plan to marry again can take off their outer clothes, without showing off their beauty. But it's better for them to keep their outer clothes on. Allah hears everything and knows everything.

61. There's no harm for blind people, or people who have trouble walking, or sick people, or yourselves, to eat at your own homes, or at the homes of your fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, or at homes you have the keys for, or at your friend's home. There's no harm if you eat together or separately. When you enter houses, greet each other kindly with a blessed greeting from Allah. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you, so you can understand.

62. True believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. When they're with him for something important, they don't leave without asking his permission. Those who ask your permission are the ones who believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission for something important, let whoever you want go, and ask Allah to forgive them. Allah is forgiving and kind.

63. Don't call the Messenger the same way you call each other. Allah knows those who quietly slip away without permission. Those who don't follow His instructions should watch out, because trouble or painful punishment might come to them.

64. Remember, everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. He knows exactly what you're doing. On the Day when everyone returns to Him, He will tell them clearly everything they've done. Allah knows everything.