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
وَكُلَّ إِنسَـٰنٍ أَلْزَمْنَـٰهُ طَـٰٓئِرَهُۥ فِى عُنُقِهِۦ ۖ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ كِتَـٰبًا يَلْقَىٰهُ مَنشُورًا
And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.
أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا
Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَـٰنًا نَّصِيرًا
And say, "My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority."
وَقَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ يَنۢبُوعًا
And they say, "We will not believe you until you break open for us from the ground a spring