Surah An-Nisa (4:15)

وَالّٰتِىۡ يَاۡتِيۡنَ الۡفَاحِشَةَ مِنۡ نِّسَآٮِٕكُمۡ فَاسۡتَشۡهِدُوۡا عَلَيۡهِنَّ اَرۡبَعَةً مِّنۡكُمۡ ۚ فَاِنۡ شَهِدُوۡا فَاَمۡسِكُوۡهُنَّ فِى الۡبُيُوۡتِ حَتّٰى يَتَوَفّٰٮهُنَّ الۡمَوۡتُ اَوۡ يَجۡعَلَ اللّٰهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيۡلًا‏ ۝

Wallatee ya/teena alfahishatamin nisa-ikum fastashhidoo AAalayhinna arbaAAatanminkum fa-in shahidoo faamsikoohunna fee albuyooti hattayatawaffahunna almawtu aw yajAAala Allahu lahunnasabeela

Those who commit immorality i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse of your women - bring against them four witnesses from among you. And if they testify, confine them i.e., the guilty women to houses until death takes them or Allāh ordains for them another way.

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Law of Immorality: Mandating witnesses and initial confinement for sin.

The Insight

Four witnesses are required to establish gross immorality. If proven, the guilty party was initially confined to their homes until God provided a further ruling. **Protect social reputation.** The high standard of four witnesses protects individuals from false accusation and slander. Do not spread accusations without absolute, legal evidence. |