Names
This surah is called Surat An-Nur. [194] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/334.
The evidence for that includes:
It was narrated that Sa?id ibn Jubayr said: I was asked about the couple who engage in li?an, during the governorship of Mus?ab ? should they be separated? He said: I did not know what to say, so I went to the house of Ibn ?Umar in Makkah and I said to the slave: Ask for permission for me to enter. He said: He is having a siesta. But he heard my voice and said: Ibn Jubayr? I said: Yes. He said: Come in, for by Allah it can only be some need that has brought you at this hour. So I went in, and saw him resting on a blanket, reclining on a pillow that was stuffed with palm fibres. I said: Abu ?Abd Ar-Rahman, should a couple who engage in li?an be separated? He said: Subhan-Allah, of course! The first one to ask about this was So and so the son of So and so. He said: O Messenger of Allah, what do you think, if one of us finds his wife committing an immoral action; what should he do? If he speaks, he will be speaking of a serious matter, and if he keeps quiet, he will be keeping quiet about a serious matter. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) remained silent and did not answer him. Then he came to him after that and said: I have been afflicted with what I asked you about. Then Allah revealed these verses in Surat An-Nur: And those who accuse their wives of adultery ? An-Nur 24:6-9? [195] Narrated by Muslim, 1493.
It was narrated that Abu Is-haq Ash-Shaybani said: I asked ?Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa: Did the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stone anyone? He said: Yes. I said: Was that after the verse in Surat An-Nur or before it? He said: I do not know. [196] Narrated by Muslim, 1702.
Virtues and characteristics
It was narrated from one of the senior Companions used to recommend teaching this surah to women.
?Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote: Learn Surat Bara?ah and teach your women Surat An-Nur. [197] Narrated by Sa?id ibn Mansur: At-Tafsir, 1003.
?Makki or Madani?
Surat An-Nur is Madani. More than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [198] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn Al-Jawzi, Al-Qurtubi and Abu Hayyan. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 3/275; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 12/158; Tafir Abi Hayyan, 8/5.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Mentioning rulings on chastity and covering. [199] See: Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 12/158.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat An-Nur include:
Affirming that it is obligatory to submit to the rulings and etiquette that were revealed in this surah.
The hadd punishment for zina.
The punishment for those who slander chaste women.
The ruling on slandering wives and the prescription of li?an a process done where the husband accuses the wife of adultery and she denies it, and each swears oaths invoking the curse of Allah if he or she is lying.
The story of the slander (Al-ifk).
The etiquette of asking permission to enter, and the obligation to avert one?s gaze and guard one?s chastity.
Prohibiting women to show their adornment except before those whom Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, exempted.
The command to arrange marriages for those who are single, men and women.
Manifestations of Allah?s might in this universe.
Criticising the attitude and behaviour of the hypocrites, and pointing out the bad intentions they were harbouring.
Allah?s promise to the believers to make them victorious in the land, cause His religion to prevail and grant safety and security after fear.
Highlighting the characteristics of the sincere believers.