1
— [O Muhammad!] God has heard the words of [the woman] who petitioned you concerning her husband. She complained to God, and God listens to the arguments of both sides. Verily, God is hearing and observing!
2
Some of you divorce their wives by the rite of zihar, [calling them their mothers’ spine]. But they are not their mothers! Their mothers are those who gave them birth. Of course, their words are offending and deceptive, but, verily, God is relenting and forgiving!
3
Whoever divorces his wives by the rite of zihar, and later on wants to go back on his words, [should] free a slave before resuming relations — this is prescribed for you. God is well informed of [everything] you do.
4
If this is above his means, he should fast two consecutive months before resuming relations. If this is still too much for him, let him feed sixty poor people. This is to make you believe in God and His Messenger. Such are the limits set up by God. There will be a painful punishment for the disbelievers!
5
Verily, those who oppose God and His Messenger shall be humiliated like their predecessors have been humiliated. Indeed, We had been sending down clear Signs in the past. There will be a humiliating punishment for the disbelievers!
6
On the Day when God raises them all, He will inform them of what they have done. Indeed, God takes all into account, but they have forgotten! God is witness of all things.
7
Do you not see that God knows everything in Heavens and earth? Three people cannot meet in private without [God] being the fourth; or five people without Him being the sixth; or a smaller or larger number without Him being among them. He is with them wherever they are. Then, on Resurrection Day, He will inform them of what they have done. Verily, God is aware of everything.
8
Do you not see that those who were forbidden to hold secret meetings continue to do what has been prohibited? They confer in private about sin, enmity, and disobedience to the Messenger. When they meet you, they greet you, but not like God would greet you, and say among themselves: “Why doesn’t God punish us for our words?” Hellfire is sufficient for them, and in it they shall burn. What a bad destination!
9
O you who have believed! When you confer in private, do not plot sin, enmity, and disobedience to the Messenger, but talk about virtue and fear of God. Fear God: to Him is your return!
10
Private meetings are from Satan, who wants to grieve the believers. But he cannot harm them a bit without God’s permission. Let the believers put their trust in God!
11
O you who have believed! If you are asked to make room at a meeting, step aside, then God will make room for you. If you are asked to stand up, stand up, then God will elevate those of you who have believed and received Knowledge. God is well informed of everything you do.
12
O you who have believed! Before consulting the Messenger in private, give some alms: that will be better and purer for you. But if you cannot do it, then, verily, God is forgiving and merciful!
13
Or do you fear to spend on alms before the meeting? If you did not give anything, and God forgave you, then stand up to pray, pay the zakat, and obey God and His Messenger. God is well informed of everything you do.
14
Do you not see those who befriend the people that incurred the wrath of God? They are neither with you nor with them, and they knowingly swear to falsehood.
15
God has prepared for them a grievous punishment. Verily, evil are their deeds!
16
They use their oaths as a cover-up, to turn [people] away from God’s path. There is a degrading punishment for them.
17
Neither wealth nor children shall help them against God. They are the inmates of the Fire, and they shall abide in it for ever!
18
On the Day when God will raise them all, they shall swear to God, as they have been swearing to you. They think that they stand on firm ground, but in reality, they are liars!
19
Satan prevailed upon them and made them forget God. They belong to the party of Satan, but, verily, the party of Satan is bound to lose.
20
Verily, those who oppose God and His Messenger shall be among the most humiliated.
21
God has decreed: — I and My Messengers will prevail! Verily, God is strong and almighty!
22
Among those who believe in God and the Last Day, you will not find people who love the enemies of God and His Messenger, be they their fathers, sons, brothers, or relatives. God will admit into the Gardens under which the rivers flow — their everlasting abode — only those in whose hearts He has inscribed faith and whom He has fortified with a Spirit from Himself. God is satisfied with them, and they are satisfied with Him. They are the party of God, and verily, the party of God shall succeed!