Full recitation of surah al-Nur,
Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais and Shaykh Shuraim,
THE SURAH BEGINS by setting out punishment for illicit sexual relations [ zina ] between men and women and declares unlawful marriage to adulterous women. It also emphasizes the gravity of offenses such as slandering virtuous women. It explains the rule for what is known in Islamic law as ' mutual cursing' between husbands and wives who accuse each other of adultery. As the surah sets out these principles and regulations, it also explains that they have been laid down as part of God's grace, wisdom, and mercy to man and not as a set of isolated orders without purpose.
In this context the surah refers to the occasion during the prophet's life when his wife 'A'ishah was slandered in an incident, known as hadith al-ifk, involving a Muslim called Safwan ibn al- Mu'attal. This incident served to expose the hostile undercurrent which had permeated throughout the early Muslim community, and against which the Qur'an had warned when it said: "Assuredly ye will be tried in your property and in your persons, and ye will hear much wrong from those who were given the Scripture before you, and from the idolaters. But if ye persevere and ward off (evil), then that is of the steadfast heart of things. "(al- Imran : 186)
There is nothing more abhorrent or socially damaging than the spreading of rumours against honorable and decent women and as such rumor-mongering are a real threat to society. On this particular occasion, a prominent opponent of Islam named 'Abdullah ibn Ubay, perpetrated the monstrous lie that the Prophet's wife, 'A'ishah, had been intimate with one of her fellow Muslims during a journey. This slander caused her untold distress.
The Prophet was utterly dumbfounded by this accusation and spent several days in complete bewilderment, believing in his wife's innocence but unable to prove it. The matter was finally and decisively put to rest [until the end of time no less] by immortal and powerful words of the following surah which not only exonerated 'A'ishah from this evil crime but also chastised those who had seemingly doubted her innocence.
The story evoked several lessons for the Muslims, expressed in the following verses:
Wherefor, when ye heard it [ the scandalous rumor ], said ye not: It is not for us to speak of this. Glory be to Thee (O Allah)! This is awful calumny. (16)
Lo! those who love that slander should be spread concerning those who believe, theirs will be a painful punishment in the world and the Hereafter. Allah knoweth. Ye know not. (19)
and,
Lo! as for those who traduce virtuous, believing women (who are) careless, cursed are they in the world and the Hereafter. Theirs will be an awful doom (23)
Thus the controversy was laid to rest, but not before it had left some scar.
" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali
Reflection and commentary by Imam Zia :
Session 1.2
Session 1.3
Session 1.4
Session 2.1
Session 2.2
..an escape route for an 'untenable' marriage arising from an alleged scandal...
..four witnesses...otherwise 80 of the best for the complainant/s
..sex scandal and character assassination [ sounds very familiar and contemporary ]
Session 2.3
Session 2.4
....your excellency !,four witnesses please, otherwise leave your' bed' and dna testing aside and bear down and prepare yourself for 80 of the best!
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