سُوْرَةُ النُّوْرِ

Surah An-Noor (24) — Ayah 5

The Light · Medinan · Juz 18 · Page 350

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إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿5﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

Except those who repent thereafter and do righteous deeds; (for such) verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

إِلَّا illā Except
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
تَابُوا۟ tābū repent
مِنۢ min after
بَعْدِ baʿdi after
ذَٰلِكَ dhālika that
وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ wa-aṣlaḥū and reform
فَإِنَّ fa-inna Then indeed
ٱللَّهَ l-laha Allah
غَفُورٌۭ ghafūrun (is) Oft-Forgiving
رَّحِيمٌۭ raḥīmun Most Merciful

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 5){ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ وَ اَصْلَحُوْا … :} There is consensus that the legal punishment for slander is not waived by repentance. Similarly, there is also consensus that after repentance and reform, the ruling of transgression (fisq) is lifted from him. However, there is a difference of opinion as to whether his testimony will be accepted after repentance and reform or not. Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned with a sound chain the statement of Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he recited {’’ وَ لَا تَقْبَلُوْا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً اَبَدًا ‘‘} and said: "Then whoever repents and reforms, according to the Book of Allah, his testimony will be accepted." Although, according to some people, even after repentance and reform, his testimony will not be accepted, but the correct view is that if the one who slandered repents, promising not to do such a thing in the future, and truly reforms himself and does not commit such a mistake again, then his testimony will be accepted. Because he was rejected as a witness due to transgression, so when transgression is no longer present, why should his testimony not be accepted? Besides, even disbelief and polytheism are forgiven through repentance, and slander is a much lesser sin than that. As for the word { ’’ اَبَدًا ‘‘ } (forever), it means that as long as he does not refrain from slander, no matter how much time passes, do not accept his testimony. As for the period after which his repentance and reform are established, some people have set a period of one year for this, but this is not proven from the Book and Sunnah, so this matter should be left to the judge. If he is convinced of his repentance and reform in any period, he may accept his testimony, because surely Allah is Forgiving and Merciful, and after repentance, He greatly conceals faults and is merciful.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

5-1. Repentance does not absolve the punishment of lashes; whether one repents or persists, this punishment will be given in any case. However, regarding the other two matters, there is a difference of opinion. Some scholars restrict this exception only to fisq, meaning after repentance, he will no longer be a fasiq. And some exegetes include both statements in this, meaning after repentance, he will also become acceptable for testimony.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

5. Except for those who repent after that and reform themselves, then surely Allah is Most Forgiving [9], Most Merciful.

[9] In the previous verse, three matters regarding those who accuse others falsely were mentioned. Out of these, two are commands: that they should be given eighty lashes and that their testimony should never be accepted in the future; and the third is information that such people are of bad character. In this verse, it is mentioned that those who repent before Allah, fully realize their sin and feel remorse, and never commit such an act again, then they will no longer be considered sinners (fasiq) in the sight of Allah and the people. However, they will still have to bear the first two worldly punishments. Nevertheless, according to some scholars, after reforming themselves and repenting, such a person can also be considered acceptable as a witness, and the proof of this is that without doubt, Allah Almighty is Forgiving and Merciful. It is also worth noting that the one who makes a false accusation accuses at least two people, i.e., a man and a woman, and more people can also be implicated in such an accusation. Now, the punishment (hadd) that will be given to him will not be eighty lashes for each person, but only one hadd will be applied.
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