إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ ٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتِ ٱلْغَـٰفِلَـٰتِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ لُعِنُوا۟ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ 23
Translations
Indeed, those who [falsely] accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment
Transliteration
Inna alladhina yarmuun al-muhsanaat al-ghaafilaat al-mu'minaat lu'inuu fi ad-dunya wa al-aakhirah wa lahum adhaab adheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who falsely accuse chaste, unaware believing women of immorality, declaring them cursed in both this world and the Hereafter with tremendous punishment. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse specifically addresses false accusations of sexual misconduct against virtuous women, establishing severe legal and moral consequences for such slander. The protection afforded to 'muhsanaat' (chaste women) demonstrates Islam's strong stance against defamation and the preservation of honor and reputation.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah An-Nur, which addresses modesty, purity, and the incident of 'Ifk' (the great lie) when 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was falsely accused of infidelity. The surah establishes comprehensive rules regarding accusations, evidence, and the protection of women's honor, making this verse part of the broader legal framework addressing slander and false accusations.
Related Hadiths
The incident of Ifk is narrated in detail in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where 'Aisha was accused and later vindicated through Quranic revelation. Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Avoid the seven destructive sins,' listing false accusations among major sins (Sahih Bukhari 2766).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that false accusations against virtuous people, especially women, are grave sins with severe spiritual consequences, and that protecting others' honor and reputations is a fundamental Islamic obligation rooted in divine protection and justice.
Related Ayahs
لَّوْلَا جَآءُو عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلشُّهَدَآءِ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ
Why did they [who slandered] not produce for it four witnesses? And when they do not produce the witnesses, then it is they, in the sight of Allāh, who are the liars.
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا۟ وَلْيَصْفَحُوٓا۟ ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allāh, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allāh should forgive you? And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
لَّقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ ءَايَـٰتٍ مُّبَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
We have certainly sent down distinct verses. And Allāh guides whom He wills to a straight path.
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَلَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
Never think that the disbelievers are causing failure [to Allāh] upon the earth. Their refuge will be the Fire - and how wretched the destination.