Surah An-Nur — Verse 9

Word Meanings:

• Al-Khamisah (الْخَامِسَةَ): The fifth oath or testimony.
• Ghadab Allah (غَضَبَ اللَّهِ): The wrath and anger of Allah.
• Min al-Sadiqin (مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ): Among those who are truthful in their accusation.

Tafsir (Interpretation):

This verse completes the divine legislation for the case of *Li‘an* (mutual cursing oath) between spouses, which was revealed to protect the honor of both husband and wife and to establish justice in the most sensitive of human relationships — the marital bond.

When a husband accuses his wife of adultery but has no witnesses other than himself, Allah, in His infinite wisdom, prescribed a procedure that upholds truth and preserves dignity. The husband swears four oaths by Allah that he is truthful in his accusation. Then, the fifth oath invokes the curse of Allah upon himself if he is lying.

Now, in this verse, the wife is given the right to defend herself. She responds by swearing four oaths by Allah that her husband is indeed lying in his accusation. Then, in her fifth oath, she invokes the wrath of Allah upon herself — "And the fifth (oath) is that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he (her husband) is among the truthful." This means she calls down Allah’s anger and punishment upon her own soul if her husband is actually telling the truth and she is the one who committed the sin.

This procedure is a profound manifestation of Islamic justice. It places the matter before Allah, the All-Knowing, and makes each spouse fear His judgment. The gravity of invoking Allah’s wrath upon oneself serves as a powerful deterrent against falsehood. A person who is guilty would hesitate to call down divine punishment upon themselves, while an innocent person would readily accept this oath to clear their name.

When both complete this mutual cursing, the marriage is dissolved permanently, and the wife is spared the prescribed punishment of adultery because her oaths stand as her defense. This ruling protects the innocent and leaves the guilty to face their Lord, who knows all secrets and hidden intentions.

A Da‘wah Reflection:

Dear reader, see how Islam honors the dignity of every individual! It does not rush to punish based on a mere accusation. Instead, it provides a fair and solemn mechanism that balances the rights of both parties and places the ultimate trust in Allah, who never wrongs anyone. This is the beauty of Islamic law — it is built on mercy, justice, and the protection of honor. It teaches us that even in the most difficult moments of marital conflict, there is a path of righteousness that leads to peace with Allah and with one’s conscience. Embrace this divine guidance, for it is a light that illuminates the way to a life of purity, honesty, and closeness to the Creator.