Rowwad Translation Center — 351

24:11 Indeed, those who came up with the slander[1] are a group among you. Do not think that it is bad for you, rather it is good for you[2]. Each one of them is responsible for what he earned of the sin, and the one who played the major role[3], for him there will be a grave punishment.

24:12 If only, when you heard it, the believing men and women had thought well of one another, and said, “This is a clear slander!”

24:13 Why did they not produce four witnesses to prove it? Now, since they failed to produce witnesses, they are the liars before Allah.

24:14 Were it not for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you in this world and in the Hereafter, you would have been afflicted with a great punishment for that [lie] in which you were involved,

24:15 when you were passing it from one tongue[1] to the other, and saying with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and were taking it lightly, whereas with Allah it was a grave offense.

24:16 If only you had said when you heard it, “How can we speak about such a thing! Glory be to You [O Allah]! This is a monstrous slander!”

24:17 Allah admonishes you not to repeat such a thing ever, if you are [truly] believers.

24:18 Allah makes the revelations clear to you, for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

24:19 Indeed, those who like to see indecency[1] spread among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter; Allah knows and you do not know[2].

24:20 Were it not for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, and that Allah is Ever Gracious, Most Merciful [He would have punished you].