Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
there is a great punishment for him.
12 When you [first] heard about it, why did not
the faithful, men and women, think
well of their folks,
and say, ‘This is an obvious calumny’?
13 Why did they 1 not bring four witnesses to it?
So when they could not bring the witnesses,
they are liars in Allah’s sight.
14 Were it not for Allah’s grace and His mercy upon you
in this world and the Hereafter,
there would have befallen you
a great punishment for what you ventured into,
15 when you were receiving it on your tongues,
and were mouthing
something of which you had no knowledge,
supposing it to be a light matter,
while it was a grave [matter] with Allah.
16 And why did you not, when you heard it, say,
‘It is not for us to say such a thing.
[O Allah!] You are immaculate!
This is a monstrous calumny!’
17 Allah advises you
lest you should ever repeat the like of it,
should you be faithful.
18 Allah clarifies the signs for you,
and Allah is all-knowing, all-wise.
19 Indeed those who want indecency to spread
among the faithful
1 That is, those who had spread the slander accusing the Prophet’s wife and one of the Companions.
