An-Nour (ٱلنُّور)

Surah An-Nour is the 24th Surah or chapter in the Quran which can be found in the 18th Juz, comprising of 64 verses divided in 9 Rukus. An-Nour means the Light. Surah Al-Nour was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) after the hijrah period in Medina; hence, it's classified as Madni Surah. Surah Nour provides guidelines for Muslims related to issues in family life, modesty, marriage, and social conduct. One of the primary reasons for the revelation of its verses from 11 to 20 was to protect the chastity of Hazrat Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) which was questioned by some people among the believers accused and slandered her causing distress to Muhammad (ﷺ) and Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), being her witness, declared her pure and modest in these 9 ayahs and announced severe consequences and punishment for spreading falsehood. 

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah An-Nur was revealed in Medina, most probably sometime in 6 AH, which was the mid-phase of the newly established Muslim State. It is considered one of the most important Surahs of the Quran, as it addresses basic social norms in Islamic society. Most importantly, it is directly associated with the incident of “slander”, which occurred while the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and his followers were on their way back to Medina, after the campaign against Banu al-Musta’liq. His most beloved wife, Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, was also traveling with him during this campaign.

When the Prophet and his companions were traveling back to Medina after the campaign against Banu al-Mustaliq, they had to camp for the night at a place. Sometime during the night, Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا left the camp to ease herself against the call of nature. On her way back to the camp, she realized her necklace was lost, so she returned to find it, which she eventually did. Meanwhile, the Prophet’s caravan left the camp, with her camel, presuming that she was mounted on it. When she reached the site and found the caravan had left, she stayed, hoping they would come back to pick her up.

Meanwhile, one of the caravan's members spotted her and facilitated her joining. The chief of the hypocrites, namely Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, started to spread rumors about this incident, slandering Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. This attempt by Abdullah Ibn Ubayy created a serious turmoil among the Muslim community.

The immediate context of the revelation of Surah An-Nur was to address this sensitive issue. Verses 11 to 20 are particularly about this incident, in which Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was absolved and cleared of all blame, declared innocent, righteous, and pure. With that incident being the primary cause of the revelation of this Surah, this Surah also addresses other crucial aspects of the social fabric of Muslim society.

It includes express Commandments about Pardah (Veil) for women, rules and punishments for fornication and adultery, severe punishment for wrong allegations of fornication by an individual against their spouse, and other matters related to social contacts among families. It also clearly defined the list of mehrams for a woman (male members of the family who are not eligible to marry her, such as her father and real brothers). All these issues, at that stage, were highly significant, as the Muslim society was in a phase of settling into a community and nation, based on the Islamic principles of social behavior. So, the revelation of this Surah provides clear, precise guidelines on family life, personal privacy, modesty, and morality.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah An-Nur is a Madni Surah, revealed during the mid-phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s life in Medina, most probably during 6 AH.

Place in the Quran

It is the 24^th Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (Para) 18. It can be found after Surah Al-Mu’minun and before Surah Al-Furqan. In the order of revelation, it falls at number 102, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it is placed at number 24.

• Number of Verses: Surah An-Nur has 64 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah An-Nur is grouped into 9 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah An-Nur

Surah An-Nur is one of the most important surahs of the Quran, as it outlines basic norms of Islamic society, emphasizing modesty, privacy, and morality. It also defines the rules and punishments for sexual immorality. The significance of Surah An-Nur can be described as follows:

• Refutation of the Incident of Slandering Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا

One of the main topics discussed in this Surah is the famous incident of slander against Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, which triggered serious turmoil among the Muslim community in Medina. The allegations against her are categorically and clearly refuted in this Surah, declaring her pious, righteous, innocent, and pure. In this context, this Surah also sets a standard, condemning false accusations of one's honor and reputation without concrete evidence. It also condemns slander and gossip that aim to defame one's honor and character. Through this Surah, definitive rules and punishments are commanded, on accusing someone of adultery, without any evidence, thus protecting and safeguarding the honor and dignity of Muslims.

• Precise and Clear Guidelines on Social Behavior

Through the verses of this Surah, some of the basic norms and guidelines are commanded regarding the social structure of an Islamic Community. It includes guidelines about the pardah or hijab, which binds Muslim Women to cover their body and faces. They are commanded to hide their adornment when going out of their homes and even inside their homes in front of male members who are not included in their Mehram list. In this context, the Surah also clearly and precisely defines the male relatives of a woman, who are described as their Mehram. Mehram, in this context, refers to a male family member with whom they cannot enter into marriage, such as a father, grandfather, uncle, or real brother.

It also instructs both men and women to lower their gaze when walking. It means men are required not to gaze at women, and women are also restricted from gazing at men. Similarly, it also instructs Muslims to observe humility and modesty in their life. So, the social responsibilities of both men and women are clearly defined in this Surah.

• The Privacy of Households and Families

The right to enter one's house is defined in this Surah, binding everyone to obtain explicit permission before entering a household. Through this, the privacy of the households is protected. This Surah mentions seeking permission from the family before entering their home, and if no answer is received, one should return without feeling embarrassed or humiliated. This social etiquette protects the privacy of homes and families.

• Rules and Punishments for Illegal Sexual Relations

This Surah defines the punishment for illegal and immoral sexual relations between unmarried men and women. The guilty individuals have to be punished with 100 lashes. It is also made clear that no one should be blamed for such relations without the presence of four eyewitnesses. If the allegations are found to be false, the accuser is also liable to 80 lashes. The significance of these rules is that, on the one hand, they restrict society from indulging in such illegal sexual relations and, on the other hand, they protect the rights of individuals against false allegations.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah An-Nour (ٱلنُّور)

The Surah starts with a direct and severe message for the people who commit zina (adulteration). Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) orders the believers to punish anyone who is adultery with a hundred lashes without having any sympathy for them and also to make it witnessed by a number of believers and protect themselves from such major sins. It is ordained by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that both the adulterers can only marry each other and no one else. This is a very clear and strict message that should be implemented even in today's world. 

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) commands that anyone who falsely accuses a pious woman without proof or any witness should receive a severe punishment of 80 lashes. If someone brings an accusation, they must also bring four witnesses to prove it. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) warns of a severe punishment for those who spread lies and promote immorality among Muslims. The Surah gives clear instructions to all the believing men and women to protect their modesty, including lowering their gaze, wearing modest clothing, and asking permission before entering someone's home. 

Sural An-Nour's main theme is to improve the morality in a society instructing the believers to uphold justice, avoid scandals, and support the believers. The Surah verses 11 to 19 were revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) when his beloved wife was slandered by a group of men. It caused distress for both Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Prophet (ﷺ). 

There was no way Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) could prove her innocence, but her trust in Allah was her ultimate power. Allah sent Jibrael (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) with these verses of Surah An-Nour where Lord of the Worlds stood as a witness to prove her innocence, declaring the accusation on Hazrat Ayesha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) as false and a lie which was fabricated by a group among the believers. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) then highlights the seriousness of slanders and false accusations and severe punishment for the slanders. 

Surah An-Nour explains the differences between a mahram and a non-mahram for women and outlines the rights of slave women. In this Surah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) focuses on the importance of His guidance and power over creations, encouraging society to keep high moral standards and support for the righteous people. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah An-Nour (ٱلنُّور)

Surah An-Nour is an important part of the Quran. It teaches about hijab, modesty, and interactions between men and women. It encourages the need to protect the dignity of a believer and avoid any slander. The Surah teaches us that if someone is accused of wrongdoing, four witnesses must be brought forward. This ensures that moral and ethical conduct is maintained in a society with high standards. A way to hold someone accountable, and that is to bring four witnesses with them. This helps in maintaining moral and ethical conduct in a society and ensures that no one levies false charges against a woman.  

The Surah provides some legal rulings for serious matters of slander and false accusation, with the punishment of 80 lashes for slander and 100 lashes for adultery. These severe consequences state the seriousness of such actions and discourage people from engaging in such activity, helping to maintain a respectful and honest society. Surah An-Nour offers guidance on maintaining a healthy married life and safeguarding our chastity, promoting a family environment based on proper conduct, discipline, and mutual respect. It encourages us to be mindful of our actions and intentions to support one another rather than mock and slander, contributing as a positive force within our community. This will help us build a society where trust, compassion, and moral integrity are valued.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah An-Nur by Renowned Qaris

For a person who finds it difficult to read the Quran correctly according to Tajweed, listening to the recitation of an authentic reciter (Qari) can be a rich source of learning the correct pronunciation. Correct recitation of the Quran, including Surah An-Nur, is seriously critical, as even a small mistake in pronouncing a Quranic word may lead to an entirely different meaning. Similarly, a non-Arabic speaker may find it difficult to pronounce some Quranic words correctly. Moreover, sometimes you may prefer to listen to the Quran rather than read it yourself.

MuslimandQuran help you listen to the recitation of the Quran. We have uploaded recitations of the Quran by the renowned reciters (Qaris). You can select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile app to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah An-Nur.

The mobile application of the MuslimandQuran is available for both Android and iOS, which can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store, respectively, by clicking the links given below:

• Mobile Application for iOS
• Mobile Application for Android

Surah An-Nur PDF

Although reading the Quran directly on the MuslimandQuran website and mobile application is relatively easy, we also provide the option to read it offline. You can download any part of the Quran, including Surah An-Nur, in PDF format for later reading, at your convenience. Surah An-Nur can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:

• Click Save to download Surah An-Nur to your device.
• In the Destination dropdown menu, choose Save as PDF.
• Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.

FAQs: