Surat Al-Noor

1. Surat Al-Noor Madani Surah - 24, Juz’ - 18 Ayaat - 64

2. The Reason for the Revelation of Surah Al-Noor Surat Al-Noor came down to exonerate Ummul Mu’ menin Aisha (R) from an accusation of adultery. This story is called Al-Ifk (the falsely accused). On their way back from the battle of Bani Al Mustalek, the army stopped to rest. When Aisha (R) returned from searching for her lost necklace, the caravan had already left. Due to her light weight, they did not realize she wasn’t inside her carriage atop the camel, called a Howdaj. RasulAllah (S) would leave one man to follow the army after a battle in case anything was left behind. Safwan bin Al Mu’atel found Aisha (R) and helped her get back without any verbal or even eye contact. The hypocrites took advantage of this incident when they saw both of them entering Madinah. AbdulAllah bin Abi Saloul began spreading a rumor that there was a relationship between Safwan and Aisha (R). Many people, including Muslims, began to wonder whether the rumor was true. After a month of no revelations, Allah finally sent Surah Al-Noor to alleviate the accusations against Aisha (R) and declare her innocent.

3. Punishments Set by Allah 1. Adultery For the adulteress and the adulterer: “Flog each of them 100 times, and let not your pity for them keep you from [carrying out] this law of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their chastisement.” ~24:2 2. False Accusation of adultery For those who accuse chaste women of adultery: “And then do not produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation], flog them 80 times and do not accept their testimony ever again.” ~24:4

4. Ways to prevent adultery ( zina) • Hijab • “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.” ~24:30 • “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to guard their private parts and not to display their adornments [in public] except that which may [necessarily] be apparent thereof. • And let them wrap their head-coverings over their bosoms and not expose their adornments [beauty] except to 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 [slaves/servants], or such male attendants having no physical desire, or children not yet unaware of women’s private aspects. • And let them not stamp their feet to make known what adornment they conceal. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” • ~24:31

5. 2. Ask permission before entering • “O you who have believed! Do not enter houses other than your own unless you have obtained permission and greeted their inhabitants. That is best for you, so that you may be reminded.” ~24:27 • “And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter them until permission has been given to you. And if it is said to you, “Go back,” then go back. It is purer for you. And Allah is All-knowing of what you do.” ~24:28

6. 3. Lower the gaze • “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”. • ~ 24.30 • “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!” • ~24.31

7. 4. Encourage and help the young to get married • “And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing, and All-Knowing.” • ~24:32 • “But let them who do not find marriage abstain until Allah enriches them from His bounty. And if any of those whom you rightfully possess desire [to obtain] freedom, write it out for them if you are aware of any good in them, and give them from your wealth which Allah has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they happen to be desirous of marriage. And if anyone should compel them, then indeed Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” • ~24:33

8. 5. Preventing Prostitution • “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 gainsome 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!” • ~24:33

9. Treating False Rumors • Think good of one another • “Why, when you heard it, did not the believing men and believing women think good of themselves and say, ‘This is an obvious falsehood?’ ” • ~24:12 • 2. Apply the punishment of false accusation of adultery • “And those who accuse chaste women and do not produce four witnesses, lash them 80 times and do not accept their testimony ever after.” • ~24:4

10. The door of Repentance and Forgiveness is always open… • “And were it not for the favor of Allah upon you, and His Mercy, and that Allah is accepting of repentance and Wise.” • ~24:10 • “And had it not been for the favor of Allah upon you, and His Mercy in this world and in the HereAfter, great punishment would indeed have afflicted you as a result of all [the lies] in which you were involved.” • ~24:14 • “And were it not for the favor of Allah upon you, and His Mercy, and that Allah is Kind and Merciful.” • ~24:20

11. This Surah was named Al-Noor because the laws revealed in this Surah enlightened and continue to enlighten the Mu’mineen on how to protect their souls.