Sura 24: Light
(Al-Noor)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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سورة انزلناها وفرضناها وانزلنا فيها ايات بينات لعلكم تذكرون

A sura that we have sent down, and we have decreed as law. We have revealed in it clear revelations, that you may take heed.

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Adultery

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الزانية والزاني فاجلدوا كل واحد منهما مائة جلدة ولا تاخذكم بهما رافة في دين الله ان كنتم تؤمنون بالله واليوم الاخر وليشهد عذابهما طائفة من المؤمنين

The adulteress and the adulterer you shall whip each of them a hundred lashes. Do not be swayed by pity from carrying out GOD’s law, if you truly believe in GOD and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their penalty.*

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الزاني لا ينكح الا زانية او مشركة والزانية لا ينكحها الا زان او مشرك وحرم ذلك على المؤمنين

The adulterer will end up marrying an adulteress or an idol worshiper, and the adulteress will end up marrying an adulterer or an idol worshiper. This is prohibited for the believers.

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والذين يرمون المحصنات ثم لم ياتوا باربعة شهداء فاجلدوهم ثمانين جلدة ولا تقبلوا لهم شهادة ابدا واولئك هم الفاسقون

Those who accuse married women of adultery, then fail to produce four witnesses, you shall whip them eighty lashes, and do not accept any testimony from them; they are wicked.

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الا الذين تابوا من بعد ذلك واصلحوا فان الله غفور رحيم

If they repent afterwards and reform, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.

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والذين يرمون ازواجهم ولم يكن لهم شهداء الا انفسهم فشهادة احدهم اربع شهادات بالله انه لمن الصادقين

As for those who accuse their own spouses, without any other witnesses, then the testimony may be accepted if he swears by GOD four times that he is telling the truth.

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والخامسة ان لعنت الله عليه ان كان من الكاذبين

The fifth oath shall be to incur GOD’s condemnation upon him, if he was lying.

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ويدرا عنها العذاب ان تشهد اربع شهادات بالله انه لمن الكاذبين

She shall be considered innocent if she swears by GOD four times that he is a liar.

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والخامسة ان غضب الله عليها ان كان من الصادقين

The fifth oath shall incur GOD’s wrath upon her if he was telling the truth.

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ولولا فضل الله عليكم ورحمته وان الله تواب حكيم

This is GOD’s grace and mercy towards you. GOD is Redeemer, Most Wise.

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How to Deal With Rumors and Unproven Accusations

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ان الذين جاءوا بالافك عصبة منكم لا تحسبوه شرا لكم بل هو خير لكم لكل امرئ منهم ما اكتسب من الاثم والذي تولى كبره منهم له عذاب عظيم

A gang among you produced a big lie.* Do not think that it was bad for you; instead, it was good for you. Meanwhile, each one of them has earned his share of the guilt. As for the one who initiated the whole incident, he has incurred a terrible retribution.

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لولا اذ سمعتموه ظن المؤمنون والمؤمنات بانفسهم خيرا وقالوا هذا افك مبين

When you heard it, the believing men and the believing women should have had better thoughts about themselves, and should have said, “This is obviously a big lie.”

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لولا جاءوا عليه باربعة شهداء فاذ لم ياتوا بالشهداء فاولئك عند الله هم الكاذبون

Only if they produced four witnesses (you may believe them). If they fail to produce the witnesses, then they are, according to GOD, liars.

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ولولا فضل الله عليكم ورحمته في الدنيا والاخرة لمسكم في ما افضتم فيه عذاب عظيم

If it were not for GOD’s grace towards you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great retribution because of this incident.

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اذ تلقونه بالسنتكم وتقولون بافواهكم ما ليس لكم به علم وتحسبونه هينا وهو عند الله عظيم

You fabricated it with your own tongues, and the rest of you repeated it with your mouths without proof. You thought it was simple, when it was, according to GOD, gross.

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What to Do

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ولولا اذ سمعتموه قلتم ما يكون لنا ان نتكلم بهذا سبحانك هذا بهتان عظيم

When you heard it, you should have said, “We will not repeat this. Glory be to You. This is a gross falsehood.”

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يعظكم الله ان تعودوا لمثله ابدا ان كنتم مؤمنين

GOD admonishes you that you shall never do it again, if you are believers.

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ويبين الله لكم الايات والله عليم حكيم

GOD thus explains the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Wise.

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ان الذين يحبون ان تشيع الفاحشة في الذين امنوا لهم عذاب اليم في الدنيا والاخرة والله يعلم وانتم لا تعلمون

Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers have incurred a painful retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. GOD knows, while you do not know.

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ولولا فضل الله عليكم ورحمته وان الله رءوف رحيم

GOD showers you with His grace and mercy. GOD is Most Kind towards the believers, Most Merciful.

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The Devil Encourages<br>Baseless Accusations

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يا ايها الذين امنوا لا تتبعوا خطوات الشيطان ومن يتبع خطوات الشيطان فانه يامر بالفحشاء والمنكر ولولا فضل الله عليكم ورحمته ما زكى منكم من احد ابدا ولكن الله يزكي من يشاء والله سميع عليم

O you who believe, do not follow the steps of Satan. Anyone who follows the steps of Satan, should know that he advocates evil and vice. If it were not for GOD’s grace towards you, and His mercy, none of you would have been purified. But GOD purifies whomever He wills. GOD is Hearer, Knower.

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ولا ياتل اولو الفضل منكم والسعة ان يؤتوا اولي القربى والمساكين والمهاجرين في سبيل الله وليعفوا وليصفحوا الا تحبون ان يغفر الله لكم والله غفور رحيم

Those among you who are blessed with resources and wealth shall be charitable towards their relatives, the poor, and those who have immigrated for the sake of GOD. They shall treat them with kindness and tolerance; do you not love to attain GOD’s forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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Gross Sin

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ان الذين يرمون المحصنات الغافلات المؤمنات لعنوا في الدنيا والاخرة ولهم عذاب عظيم

Surely, those who falsely accuse married women who are pious believers have incurred condemnation in this life and in the Hereafter; they have incurred a horrendous retribution.

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يوم تشهد عليهم السنتهم وايديهم وارجلهم بما كانوا يعملون

The day will come when their own tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness to everything they had done.

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يومئذ يوفيهم الله دينهم الحق ويعلمون ان الله هو الحق المبين

On that day, GOD will requite them fully for their works, and they will find out that GOD is the Truth.

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الخبيثات للخبيثين والخبيثون للخبيثات والطيبات للطيبين والطيبون للطيبات اولئك مبرءون مما يقولون لهم مغفرة ورزق كريم

The bad women for the bad men, and the bad men for the bad women, and the good women for the good men, and the good men for the good women. The latter are innocent of such accusations. They have attained forgiveness and a generous reward.

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Divine Etiquette

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يا ايها الذين امنوا لا تدخلوا بيوتا غير بيوتكم حتى تستانسوا وتسلموا على اهلها ذلكم خير لكم لعلكم تذكرون

O you who believe, do not enter homes other than yours without permission from their inhabitants, and without greeting them. This is better for you, that you may take heed.

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فان لم تجدوا فيها احدا فلا تدخلوها حتى يؤذن لكم وان قيل لكم ارجعوا فارجعوا هو ازكى لكم والله بما تعملون عليم

If you find no one in them, do not enter them until you obtain permission. If you are told, “Go back,” you must go back. This is purer for you. GOD is fully aware of everything you do.

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ليس عليكم جناح ان تدخلوا بيوتا غير مسكونة فيها متاع لكم والله يعلم ما تبدون وما تكتمون

You commit no error by entering uninhabited homes wherein there is something that belongs to you. GOD knows everything you reveal, and everything you conceal.

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Dress Code for Believers*

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قل للمؤمنين يغضوا من ابصارهم ويحفظوا فروجهم ذلك ازكى لهم ان الله خبير بما يصنعون

Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes (and not stare at the women), and to maintain their chastity. This is purer for them. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything they do.

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وقل للمؤمنات يغضضن من ابصارهن ويحفظن فروجهن ولا يبدين زينتهن الا ما ظهر منها وليضربن بخمرهن على جيوبهن ولا يبدين زينتهن الا لبعولتهن او ابائهن او اباء بعولتهن او ابنائهن او ابناء بعولتهن او اخوانهن او بني اخوانهن او بني اخواتهن او نسائهن او ما ملكت ايمانهن او التابعين غير اولي الاربة من الرجال او الطفل الذين لم يظهروا على عورات النساء ولا يضربن بارجلهن ليعلم ما يخفين من زينتهن وتوبوا الى الله جميعا ايه المؤمنون لعلكم تفلحون

And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed.*

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Encourage<br>Marriage to<br>Discourage Immorality

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وانكحوا الايامى منكم والصالحين من عبادكم وامائكم ان يكونوا فقراء يغنهم الله من فضله والله واسع عليم

You shall encourage those of you who are single to get married. They may marry the righteous among your male and female servants, if they are poor. GOD will enrich them from His grace. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.

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وليستعفف الذين لا يجدون نكاحا حتى يغنيهم الله من فضله والذين يبتغون الكتاب مما ملكت ايمانكم فكاتبوهم ان علمتم فيهم خيرا واتوهم من مال الله الذي اتاكم ولا تكرهوا فتياتكم على البغاء ان اردن تحصنا لتبتغوا عرض الحياة الدنيا ومن يكرههن فان الله من بعد اكراههن غفور رحيم

Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD’s money that He has bestowed upon you. You shall not force your girls to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.

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ولقد انزلنا اليكم ايات مبينات ومثلا من الذين خلوا من قبلكم وموعظة للمتقين

We have revealed to you clarifying revelations, and examples from the past generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.

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God

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الله نور السماوات والارض مثل نوره كمشكاة فيها مصباح المصباح في زجاجة الزجاجة كانها كوكب دري يوقد من شجرة مباركة زيتونة لا شرقية ولا غربية يكاد زيتها يضيء ولو لم تمسسه نار نور على نور يهدي الله لنوره من يشاء ويضرب الله الامثال للناس والله بكل شيء عليم

GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree, that is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whoever wills (to be guided). GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.

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في بيوت اذن الله ان ترفع ويذكر فيها اسمه يسبح له فيها بالغدو والاصال

(God’s guidance is found) in houses exalted by GOD, for His name is commemorated therein. Glorifying Him therein, day and night—

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Those Who Frequent the Masjid

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رجال لا تلهيهم تجارة ولا بيع عن ذكر الله واقام الصلاة وايتاء الزكاة يخافون يوما تتقلب فيه القلوب والابصار

People who are not distracted by business or trade from commemorating GOD; they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they are conscious of the day when the minds and the eyes will be horrified.

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ليجزيهم الله احسن ما عملوا ويزيدهم من فضله والله يرزق من يشاء بغير حساب

GOD will certainly reward them for their good works, and will shower them with His grace. GOD provides for whomever He wills without limits.

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Chasing A Mirage

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والذين كفروا اعمالهم كسراب بقيعة يحسبه الظمان ماء حتى اذا جاءه لم يجده شيئا ووجد الله عنده فوفاه حسابه والله سريع الحساب

As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks that it is water. But when he reaches it, he finds that it is nothing, and he finds GOD there instead, to requite him fully for his works. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.

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Exile From God:<br>Total Darkness

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او كظلمات في بحر لجي يغشاه موج من فوقه موج من فوقه سحاب ظلمات بعضها فوق بعض اذا اخرج يده لم يكد يراها ومن لم يجعل الله له نورا فما له من نور

Another allegory is that of being in total darkness in the midst of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog. Darkness upon darkness—if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it. Whomever GOD deprives of light, will have no light.

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الم تر ان الله يسبح له من في السماوات والارض والطير صافات كل قد علم صلاته وتسبيحه والله عليم بما يفعلون

Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies GOD, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer and its glorification. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.

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ولله ملك السماوات والارض والى الله المصير

To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and to GOD is the final destiny.

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الم تر ان الله يزجي سحابا ثم يؤلف بينه ثم يجعله ركاما فترى الودق يخرج من خلاله وينزل من السماء من جبال فيها من برد فيصيب به من يشاء ويصرفه عن من يشاء يكاد سنا برقه يذهب بالابصار

Do you not realize that GOD drives the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them on each other, then you see the rain coming out of them? He sends down from the sky loads of snow to cover whomever he wills, while diverting it from whomever He wills. The brightness of the snow almost blinds the eyes.

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يقلب الله الليل والنهار ان في ذلك لعبرة لاولي الابصار

GOD controls the night and day. This should be a lesson for those who possess eyes.

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والله خلق كل دابة من ماء فمنهم من يمشي على بطنه ومنهم من يمشي على رجلين ومنهم من يمشي على اربع يخلق الله ما يشاء ان الله على كل شيء قدير

And GOD created every living creature from water. Some of them walk on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. GOD creates whatever He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.

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لقد انزلنا ايات مبينات والله يهدي من يشاء الى صراط مستقيم

We have sent down to you clarifying revelations, then GOD guides whoever wills in a straight path.

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God Sends Instructions<br>Through His Messenger

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ويقولون امنا بالله وبالرسول واطعنا ثم يتولى فريق منهم من بعد ذلك وما اولئك بالمؤمنين

They say, “We believe in GOD and in the messenger, and we obey,” but then some of them slide back afterwards. These are not believers.

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واذا دعوا الى الله ورسوله ليحكم بينهم اذا فريق منهم معرضون

When they are invited to GOD and His messenger to judge among them, some of them get upset.

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وان يكن لهم الحق ياتوا اليه مذعنين

However, if the judgment is in their favor, they readily accept it!

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افي قلوبهم مرض ام ارتابوا ام يخافون ان يحيف الله عليهم ورسوله بل اولئك هم الظالمون

Is there a disease in their hearts? Are they doubtful? Are they afraid that GOD and His messenger may treat them unfairly? In fact, it is they who are unjust.

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Believers<br>Unhesitatingly Obey<br>God and His Messenger

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انما كان قول المؤمنين اذا دعوا الى الله ورسوله ليحكم بينهم ان يقولوا سمعنا واطعنا واولئك هم المفلحون

The only utterance of the believers, whenever invited to GOD and His messenger to judge in their affairs, is to say, “We hear and we obey.” These are the winners.

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ومن يطع الله ورسوله ويخش الله ويتقه فاولئك هم الفائزون

Those who obey GOD and His messenger, and reverence GOD and observe Him, these are the triumphant ones.

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واقسموا بالله جهد ايمانهم لئن امرتهم ليخرجن قل لا تقسموا طاعة معروفة ان الله خبير بما تعملون

They swear by GOD, solemnly, that if you commanded them to mobilize, they would mobilize. Say, “Do not swear. Obedience is an obligation. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.”

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قل اطيعوا الله واطيعوا الرسول فان تولوا فانما عليه ما حمل وعليكم ما حملتم وان تطيعوه تهتدوا وما على الرسول الا البلاغ المبين

Say, “Obey GOD, and obey the messenger.” If they refuse, then he is responsible for his obligations, and you are responsible for your obligations. If you obey him, you will be guided. The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver (the message).

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God’s Promise<br>Kings and Queens on Earth

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وعد الله الذين امنوا منكم وعملوا الصالحات ليستخلفنهم في الارض كما استخلف الذين من قبلهم وليمكنن لهم دينهم الذي ارتضى لهم وليبدلنهم من بعد خوفهم امنا يعبدونني لا يشركون بي شيئا ومن كفر بعد ذلك فاولئك هم الفاسقون

GOD promises those among you who believe and lead a righteous life, that He will make them sovereigns on earth, as He did for those before them, and will establish for them the religion He has chosen for them, and will substitute peace and security for them in place of fear. All this because they worship Me alone; they never set up any idols beside Me. Those who disbelieve after this are the truly wicked.

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Formula for Success

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واقيموا الصلاة واتوا الزكاة واطيعوا الرسول لعلكم ترحمون

You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey the messenger, that you may attain mercy.

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لا تحسبن الذين كفروا معجزين في الارض وماواهم النار ولبئس المصير

Do not think that those who disbelieve will ever get away with it. Their final abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny.

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Etiquette<br>Two Prayers Mentioned by Name

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يا ايها الذين امنوا ليستاذنكم الذين ملكت ايمانكم والذين لم يبلغوا الحلم منكم ثلاث مرات من قبل صلاة الفجر وحين تضعون ثيابكم من الظهيرة ومن بعد صلاة العشاء ثلاث عورات لكم ليس عليكم ولا عليهم جناح بعدهن طوافون عليكم بعضكم على بعض كذلك يبين الله لكم الايات والله عليم حكيم

O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances—before the Dawn Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

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واذا بلغ الاطفال منكم الحلم فليستاذنوا كما استاذن الذين من قبلهم كذلك يبين الله لكم اياته والله عليم حكيم

Once the children reach puberty, they must ask permission (before entering) like those who became adults before them have asked permission (before entering). GOD thus clarifies His revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

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You Shall Dress Modestly

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والقواعد من النساء اللاتي لا يرجون نكاحا فليس عليهن جناح ان يضعن ثيابهن غير متبرجات بزينة وان يستعففن خير لهن والله سميع عليم

The elderly women who do not expect to get married commit nothing wrong by relaxing their dress code, provided they do not reveal too much of their bodies. To maintain modesty is better for them. GOD is Hearer, Knower.

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Be Sure Your Meal is Lawful

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ليس على الاعمى حرج ولا على الاعرج حرج ولا على المريض حرج ولا على انفسكم ان تاكلوا من بيوتكم او بيوت ابائكم او بيوت امهاتكم او بيوت اخوانكم او بيوت اخواتكم او بيوت اعمامكم او بيوت عماتكم او بيوت اخوالكم او بيوت خالاتكم او ما ملكتم مفاتحه او صديقكم ليس عليكم جناح ان تاكلوا جميعا او اشتاتا فاذا دخلتم بيوتا فسلموا على انفسكم تحية من عند الله مباركة طيبة كذلك يبين الله لكم الايات لعلكم تعقلون

The blind is not to be blamed, the crippled is not to be blamed, nor the handicapped is to be blamed, just as you are not to be blamed for eating at your homes, or the homes of your fathers, or the homes of your mothers, or the homes of your brothers, or the homes of your sisters, or the homes of your fathers’ brothers, or the homes of your fathers’ sisters, or the homes of your mothers’ brothers, or the homes of your mothers’ sisters, or the homes that belong to you and you possess their keys, or the homes of your friends. You commit nothing wrong by eating together or as individuals. When you enter any home, you shall greet each other a greeting from GOD that is blessed and good. GOD thus explains the revelations for you, that you may understand.

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انما المؤمنون الذين امنوا بالله ورسوله واذا كانوا معه على امر جامع لم يذهبوا حتى يستاذنوه ان الذين يستاذنونك اولئك الذين يؤمنون بالله ورسوله فاذا استاذنوك لبعض شانهم فاذن لمن شئت منهم واستغفر لهم الله ان الله غفور رحيم

The true believers are those who believe in GOD and His messenger,* and when they are with him in a community meeting, they do not leave him without permission. Those who ask permission are the ones who do believe in GOD and His messenger. If they ask your permission, in order to tend to some of their affairs, you may grant permission to whomever you wish, and ask GOD to forgive them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

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لا تجعلوا دعاء الرسول بينكم كدعاء بعضكم بعضا قد يعلم الله الذين يتسللون منكم لواذا فليحذر الذين يخالفون عن امره ان تصيبهم فتنة او يصيبهم عذاب اليم

Do not treat the messenger’s requests as you treat each others’ requests. GOD is fully aware of those among you who sneak away using flimsy excuses. Let them beware— those who disobey his orders—for a disaster may strike them, or a severe retribution.

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الا ان لله ما في السماوات والارض قد يعلم ما انتم عليه ويوم يرجعون اليه فينبئهم بما عملوا والله بكل شيء عليم

Absolutely, to GOD belongs everything in the heavens and the earth. He fully knows every condition you may be in. The day you are returned to Him, He will inform them of everything they had done. GOD is fully aware of all things.

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