Surah An-Nur
Surah 24 · The Light · 64 verses · medinan
The Light — from verse 35, the parable of Allah's light as a lamp in a niche.
The story
Once, some people spread a horrible untrue story about someone, and everybody repeated it without checking. Allah told them: you thought it was a small thing, but to Allah it was enormous.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1-10
Boundaries and accusation
Chastity protected, and false accusation punished — testimony required, reputations not left to gossip.
AYAH 11-26
The rumour
The slander named, the community rebuked for repeating it, and the command to pardon.
AYAH 27-34
Manners of the home
Permission before entering, lowering the gaze, modesty, and helping the unmarried to marry.
AYAH 35-46
Light upon light
The parable of the niche and the lamp, and the deeds of the rejecting like a mirage in a desert.
Verses to carry
- 24:35"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" — the Quran's most quoted image.
- 24:22"Let them pardon and overlook. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?" Revealed to stop a boycott mid-oath.
- 24:15"You thought it was a trifle, while with Allah it was tremendous." The Quran's verdict on passing on a rumour.
Remember this
Never pass on a story about someone unless you know it is true — and even then, ask if it needs repeating.
Talk about it
Has anyone ever said something untrue about you? How did it feel?