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

1. This is a Chapter that We sent down and made its rules clear. In it, We revealed clear verses, so you may remember.

2. The woman and the man who commit adultery — punish each of them with one hundred lashes. Don't let pity for them stop you from following Allah's Law, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment.

3. A man guilty of adultery only marries a woman guilty of adultery or an idol-worshiper, and a woman guilty of adultery is only married by a man guilty of adultery or an idol-worshiper. Such marriages are forbidden to the believers.

4. Those who accuse innocent women but don't bring four witnesses — punish them with eighty lashes, and never accept their testimony again. They are the ones who disobey Allah.

5. Except those who repent afterward and correct themselves — Allah is truly forgiving and merciful.

6. Those who accuse their own wives, but have no witnesses except themselves — each one must swear four times by Allah that he is telling the truth.

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

8. But the wife can avoid punishment, if she swears four times by Allah, that her husband is lying.

9. And the fifth time, she must swear that Allah's anger will be on her, if he's telling the truth.

10. If it weren't for Allah's favor and mercy toward you, and that Allah accepts repentance and is wise.

11. Those who spread that terrible lie were a group among you. Don't think it was bad for you — actually, it was good for you. Each one of them will be responsible for the sin they earned, and the one who started it all will face a painful punishment.

12. Why didn't the believing men and women, when they heard it, think the best of each other, and say, "This is clearly a huge lie"?

13. Why didn't they bring four witnesses to prove it? Since they didn't bring witnesses, in Allah's sight, they're the liars.

14. If it weren't for Allah's kindness and mercy toward you, in this life and the next, you would have faced a great punishment for what you said.

15. You passed it around with your tongues, speaking with your mouths about things you knew nothing about. You thought it was no big deal — but to Allah, it was very serious.

16. Why didn't you say, when you heard it, "We shouldn't be talking about this! Glory be to You, Allah — this is an awful lie"?

17. Allah warns you never to repeat anything like this again, if you truly believe.

18. Allah makes His lessons clear to you, and Allah knows everything, and He is full of wisdom.

19. Those who like spreading shameful rumors among the believers will suffer a painful punishment in this life and the next. Allah knows, and you don't know.

20. If it weren't for Allah's kindness and mercy toward you — and because Allah is truly gentle and caring.

21. Believers, don't follow Satan's footsteps. Whoever follows Satan's footsteps, he leads them to shameful and wrong actions. If it wasn't for Allah's kindness and mercy toward you, none of you would ever become pure. But Allah purifies whoever He wishes, and Allah hears and knows everything.

22. Those among you who have wealth and resources shouldn't refuse to help their relatives, the poor, and those who left their homes for Allah's cause. Let them forgive and overlook mistakes. Don't you want Allah to forgive you? Allah is forgiving and full of mercy.

23. Those who falsely accuse innocent, unaware, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and they'll have a terrible punishment.

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

25. On that Day, Allah will give them exactly what they deserve, and they'll realize 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 what others say about them. They'll have forgiveness and a generous reward.

27. Believers, don't enter houses other than your own, until you've asked permission and greeted the people inside. Doing this is better for you, so you may remember and do what's right.

28. If you don't find anyone inside, don't enter until you're given permission. And if you're told, "Go back," then go back — that's purer and better for you. Allah knows everything you do.

29. There's nothing wrong if you enter houses that aren't lived in, if you have something there that belongs to you. Allah knows what you show openly, and what you hide.

30. Tell believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty. That's purer and better for them. Allah is fully aware of everything they do.

31. And tell believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not to show their beauty except what's naturally seen. Let them draw their scarves over their chests, and not 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, their fellow women, those under their care, male helpers who have no desire for women, or children who aren't yet aware of women's privacy. And let them not stamp their feet to draw attention to their hidden beauty. Believers, all of you turn back to Allah, so you may succeed.

32. Help the unmarried among you — both men and women — to get married, as well as your righteous male and female servants and dependents. If they are poor, Allah will provide for them from His grace. Allah is generous and knows everything.

33. Those who don't find the means to marry should stay patient and pure, until Allah provides for them from His kindness. If any of your dependents ask for a written agreement to earn their freedom, give it to them if you see goodness in them, and share with them some of the wealth Allah has given you. And never force your young women into prostitution, just to gain some worldly benefit, especially when they wish to stay pure. If anyone forces them, then after such force, then Allah is forgiving and caring.

34. We have sent down to you clear verses, examples from those who lived before you, and advice for those who are mindful of Allah.

35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light is like a niche holding a lamp — the lamp is inside a glass, and the glass shines like a brilliant star. It is lit from a blessed olive tree, neither from the east nor from the west, whose oil almost glows even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides whoever He wishes to His Light. Allah gives examples for people, and Allah knows everything.

36. His Light shines in houses that Allah has allowed to be honored, and where His name is remembered. In these houses, people praise Him morning and evening.

37. Men who aren't distracted — by trade or business — from remembering Allah, performing prayer, and giving charity. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble.

38. So that Allah rewards them for the best of what they did, and gives them more from His kindness. Allah provides endlessly for whoever He wishes.

39. But those who disbelieve — their deeds are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks it's water, but when he reaches it, he finds nothing. Instead, he finds Allah there, Who gives him exactly what he deserves. Allah is quick to judge.

40. Or their deeds are like darkness in a deep ocean, covered by waves upon waves, with dark clouds above — layers of darkness, one on top of the other. If someone stretched out his hand, he could hardly see it. Whoever Allah doesn't give light to, has no light at all.

41. Don't you see that everyone in the heavens and the earth praises Allah — even the birds spreading their wings? Each one knows its own prayer and praise. And Allah knows everything they do.

42. To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah is the final return.

43. Don't you see how Allah gently moves the clouds, then joins them together, then piles them up into layers? Then you see rain pouring from between them. He sends down hail from mountains of clouds in the sky, striking whoever He wills and sparing whoever He wills. The flash of its lightning almost snatches away sight.

44. Allah turns the night and the day — surely, in this there's a lesson for those who can see.

45. And 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 wills. Truly, Allah has power over everything.

46. We've sent down clear verses, and Allah guides whoever He wills to a straight path.

47. Some people say, "We believe in Allah and the Messenger, and we obey," but afterward, a group of them turns away. Those aren't true believers.

48. When they're called to Allah and His Messenger, so he can judge between them, suddenly a group of them turns away.

49. But if the truth is on their side, they come willingly.

50. Is there sickness in their hearts? Or are they full of doubts? Or do they fear that Allah and His Messenger might be unfair to them? No, they're the ones who are truly unfair.

51. When true believers are called to Allah and His Messenger, to judge between them, their only words are, "We hear and we obey." Those are the successful ones.

52. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, respects Allah deeply, and stays mindful of Him — those are the winners.

53. They swear by Allah with their strongest promises, that if you ordered them, they'd surely go out. Say, "Don't swear. Just show sincere obedience. Allah knows exactly what you do."

54. Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, he's only responsible for what he's been given, and you're responsible for what you've been given. If you obey him, you'll find guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to deliver the clear message."

55. Allah promises those among you who believe and do good deeds, that He'll surely give them authority on earth, just as He gave authority to those before them. He'll firmly establish the religion He's chosen for them, and He'll replace their fear with safety. They'll worship Me alone, not associating anything with Me. Whoever rejects faith after this — they're the corrupt.

56. So pray regularly, give charity, and obey the Messenger, so you may receive mercy.

57. Don't ever think those who reject faith can escape Allah on earth. Their home is the Fire — and what a terrible destination!

58. Believers, those under your care and children who haven't reached maturity yet, should ask your permission before entering your rooms at three times: before the dawn prayer, when you take off your outer clothes at midday, and after the night prayer. These are three private times for you. Outside these times, there's no blame on you, or them, as you move freely around each other. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you. Allah knows everything and is wise.

59. When your children reach maturity, they should ask permission to enter, just as those before them did. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you. Allah knows everything and is wise.

60. Older women who no longer expect to marry do nothing wrong if they remove their outer garments, without showing off their beauty. But it's better for them to be modest. Allah hears everything and knows everything.

61. There's no blame on the blind, the disabled, or the sick, nor on yourselves, if you eat from your own homes, or the homes of your fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, or from homes whose keys you hold, or your friends' homes. There's no blame on you if you eat together or separately. When you enter houses, greet each other with a blessed and good greeting from Allah. This is how Allah clearly explains His verses to you, so you may understand.

62. True believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger. When they're with him for an important matter, they don't leave without asking his permission. Those who ask your permission truly believe in Allah and His Messenger. So, when they ask your permission for some personal matter, allow whoever you wish, and ask Allah to forgive them. Allah is forgiving and kind.

63. Don't call out to the Messenger the way you call out to each other. Allah certainly knows those among you who quietly slip away. So let those who disobey His command beware, or else trouble may strike them, or a painful punishment.

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