The Holy Qur'an, akin to a profound ocean, encompasses boundless knowledge, each wave bearing secrets of guidance and wisdom. Among its chapters, Surah An-Nur, with verses addressing delicate social and existential matters, shines like a brilliant gem. The verses concerning the testimony on adultery and the glorification (Tasbih) of creatures constitute two pivotal axes of this Surah: one focusing on preserving social order and chastity, and the other elucidating the harmony of creation with divine glorification. This treatise endeavours to reflect upon these verses, articulating their sublime meanings with clarity and firmness, befitting scholarly contemplation. The objective is a deeper understanding of divine rulings and elucidation of reason's role in apprehending Qur'anic knowledge, guiding the reader on the path towards truth.
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَدًا ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
"And those who accuse chaste women, and do not bring four witnesses, flog them eighty lashes and never accept their testimony. And those are the defiantly disobedient."
This verse stands as a steadfast guardian of the sanctity and reputation of the Islamic society. The principal focus of the verse is not the proof of adultery itself, but the punishment of false accusation (Qadhf) of adultery. Whoever accuses a chaste woman of adultery without presenting four just witnesses faces three severe penalties: first, eighty lashesa corporeal punishment symbolising the abhorrence of such conduct before God; second, the permanent rejection of his testimony, which tarnishes his social standing and credibility; and third, the label of 'Fasiq' (transgressor), which excludes him from the sphere of piety and justice. This sternness, like a sharp blade, prohibits any laxity in making accusations.
A remarkable aspect of this verse is its indirect reference to the condition of four witnesses for proving adultery. The Holy Qur'an, instead of directly emphasising the proof of adultery, subtly introduces this prerequisite. It is as though this divine scripture, with unparalleled delicacy, avoids explicit mention of adultery itself, focusing rather on censuring those who make unfounded accusations. This approach is akin to a gardener who, instead of concentrating solely on eradicating weeds, prepares the soil for the growth of pure flowers.
لَوْلَا جَاءُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِالشُّهَدَاءِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ
"Why did they not produce four witnesses against him? So when they did not produce the witnesses, they are liars in the sight of Allah."
Verse 13 of Surah An-Nur, revealed in continuation of the verses related to the event of Ifk (the slander against one of the Prophets wives), reflects the abhorrence of adultery accusations like a clear mirror. This verse, with a tone of reproach, questions the believers as to why they accused without presenting four witnesses. Preceding phrases such as And if not for the favour of Allah upon you and His mercy and For each of them is a sin they have earned demonstrate the gravity of the punishment and sin of the slanderers. These verses act as a heavy rain washing away all rumours and planting good assumption in the hearts of the faithful.
The emphasis in this verse on branding the slanderers as "liars" indicates that baseless accusations are not merely grave sins but acts that undermine faith itself. This approach serves as a robust shield, protecting society from unfounded allegations and urging believers to abstain from hasty judgments and preserve purity of speech.
وَاللَّاتِي يَأْتِينَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مِنْ نِسَائِكُمْ فَاسْتَشْهِدُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةً مِنْكُمْ ۖ فَإِنْ شَهِدُوا فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىٰ يَتَوَفَّاهُنَّ الْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًا
"And those of your women who commit lewdnesstake the testimony of four witnesses from among you against them. And if they testify, then confine them to houses until death takes them or Allah ordains for them a way."
This verse is the sole explicit mention in the Holy Qur'an mandating four witnesses for the proof of fornication (adultery). However, the use of the term Fahisha (lewdness) instead of direct mention of adultery, alongside the abrogation of the confinement ruling, signifies the Qur'ans subtlety in addressing this issue. In contrast to the verses in Surah An-Nur which focus on the punishment for false accusation, this verse directly addresses the proof of fornication but with the abrogation of its ruling, diminishing its practical significance in Islamic jurisprudence. This difference, like two branches of one tree, illustrates the multi-layered approach of the Holy Qur'an in preserving chastity and social order.
The abrogation of the confinement ruling, coupled with the emphasis on false accusation in Surah An-Nur, indicates that the Qur'an prioritises the prevention of slander and rumours over the punishment of adultery itself. This verse thus acts as a delicate key, unlocking the understanding of divine laws and demonstrating that the Shariah, by making the proof of adultery difficult, protects individuals honour and societal well-being.
Verses 4 and 13 of Surah An-Nur and Verse 15 of Surah An-Nisa stand as three firm pillars outlining a divine framework for preserving chastity and social order. The verses of An-Nur, by focusing on the punishment of false accusation, prevent slander and rumours, indirectly stipulating the four-witness condition for proving adultery. Although the verse from An-Nisa explicitly mentions proof of fornication, its ruling has diminished practical effect due to abrogation. These verses, like radiant torches, illuminate the path for deeper understanding of divine laws, calling believers to justice and good assumption.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالطَّيْرُ صَافَّاتٍ ۖ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُ وَتَسْبِيحَهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
"Have you not seen that Allah is glorified by whoever is within the heavens and the earth and by the birds with wings spread wide? Each knows its prayer and glorification. And Allah is Knowing of what they do."
This verse, like a celestial melody, speaks of the harmony of creation with divine glorification. The phrase "Have you not seen" with emphasis on "that" serves as an invitation to contemplate the grandeur of creation. The glorification in this verse is not merely the utterance of "Subhan Allah", but the existential journey and natural movement of creatures. Birds with outstretched wings (fftin), resemble dancers on the stage of creation, manifesting their glorification through their motion and life. This glorification is the life energy and existential journey of every creature, from human respiration to the flight of birds and even the existence of disbelievers.
The precedence of "Allah" and the use of the pronoun "to Him" indicate the Holy Qur'an's particular attention to divine glorification. This structure acts as an intricate embroidery on the fabric of divine discourse, emphasising the concept's importance. Glorification is the generator of life energy, and all creaturesfrom inanimate objects to humansparticipate in this existential journey glorifying God, even if they remain unaware of it at times.
Verse 41 of Surah An-Nur, like a crystal-clear mirror, reflects the manifestation of glorification by all creatures. Glorification is not solely speech but the existential journey and life of every being flowing in harmony with divine will. The verses emphasis on the special characteristics of birds (fftin) and its inclusiveness of all creatures in the heavens and the earth speak of the grandeur of creation and divine wisdom. Reflecting upon this verse resembles a journey towards a deeper understanding of the cosmic system and its connection to Gods glorification.
