وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةً وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًا 32
Translations
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Transliteration
Wa lā taqrabū az-zināʾ innahū kāna fāḥishataw wa sāʾa sabīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah categorically prohibits approaching or coming near to zināʾ (unlawful sexual intercourse), emphasizing not merely the act itself but even the approaches leading to it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that the command uses the word 'approach' (taqrabū) rather than simply 'do not commit' to establish a comprehensive moral boundary, demonstrating Islam's preventative ethical framework. The ayah describes zināʾ as a fahishah (grave obscenity) and a destructive path, reflecting its severe spiritual, social, and moral consequences.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic principles and moral conduct during the early period of Islamic revelation. It appears within a series of divine commandments (verses 22-39) establishing core ethical guidelines for believers, reflecting the Quranic emphasis on chastity and family honor as foundational to Islamic society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'No one of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13), and regarding zināʾ: 'When a man commits zināʾ, faith departs from him like a cloud' (Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī). The Prophet also emphasized guarding the eyes and hearts as protections against this sin.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic morality is proactive rather than merely reactive—believers are called to guard themselves by avoiding even the pathways leading to sin, not just the sin itself. In modern context, this principle extends to mindful consumption of media, guarding one's gaze and heart, and building supportive communities that uphold collective moral standards.
Related Ayahs
وَلَوْلَآ أَن ثَبَّتْنَـٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًٔا قَلِيلًا
And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.
أَوْ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيْتٌ مِّن زُخْرُفٍ أَوْ تَرْقَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَن نُّؤْمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا كِتَـٰبًا نَّقْرَؤُهُۥ ۗ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّى هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا
Or you have a house of ornament [i.e., gold] or you ascend into the sky. And [even then], we will not believe in your ascension until you bring down to us a book we may read." Say, "Exalted is my Lord! Was I ever but a human messenger?"
سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا
Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.
وَإِذَآ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ ۖ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ كَانَ يَـُٔوسًا
And when We bestow favor upon man [i.e., the disbeliever], he turns away and distances himself; and when evil touches him, he is ever despairing.