Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

You consider it a little thing, while for Allah (SWT) it was very great
The Ayahs shift again to describing the gravity of the situation. Allah (SWT) says
what can be translated as, “When you were propagating it with your tongues, and
uttering with your mouths that whereof you had no knowledge, you counted it a
little thing, while with Allah it was very great; And why did you not, when you
heard it, say: “It is not right for us to speak of this. Glory be to You (O Allah)!
This is a great lie; Allah forbids you from it and warns you not to repeat the like
of it forever, if you are believers” (TMQ, 24: 15-17).
All these Ayahs are commenting on the aforementioned incident, so this was a
warning to the Companions of the Prophet (SAWS), and to the whole Islamic nation,
against ill speaking about women’s reputations. Some young men might say a word or
make a gesture in this respect; they might even be joking without aiming at harming
anybody, but the Ayahs give them a clear serious warning. Allah (SWT) says what
can be translated as, “You counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very
great” (TMQ, 24: 15). The Ayahs then forbid them to repeat such an action, as Allah
(SWT) says what can be translated as, “Allah forbids you from it and warns you
not to repeat the like of it forever, if you are believers” (TMQ, 24: 17).
Thus, we see that this story was beneficial to the society of Madinah and to all Islamic
societies. Let’s review together the Ayahs of this Surah and try to realize the
meanings intended by Allah (SWT) in this Surah.
Grave crime - strong beginning
How does the Surah begin In an unconventional way. Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “(This is) a Surah which We have sent down and which We have
enjoined, (ordained its laws)” (TMQ, 24: 1), which is a strong beginning for a
Surah. However, all the Surahs of the Qur’an were revealed and enjoined, so why
does this Surah begin in this style It is as if the Surah wants to powerfully protect the
society, so the means of protection should be so influential so as to draw attention to
the importance of the coming rules.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “(This is) a Surah which We have sent
down and which We have enjoined, (ordained its laws); and in it We have
revealed manifest Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations -
lawful and unlawful things, and set boundaries of Islamic Religion), that you
may remember” (TMQ, 24: 1).
What is the first of these rules
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “The fornicatress and the fornicator,
flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case,
in a punishment prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.
And let a party of the believers witness their punishment” (TMQ, 24: 2).
Although the basis of our religion is mercy and compassion, Allah (SWT) states in the
Ayah what can be translated as, “Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a
punishment prescribed by Allah”.