Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
their due recompense,
and they shall know
that Allah is the Manifest Reality.
26 Vicious women are for vicious men,
and vicious men for vicious women.
Good women are for good men,
and good men for good women.1
These are absolved of what they say [about them].2
For them is forgiveness and a noble provision.
27 O you who have faith!
Do not enter houses other than your own
until you have announced [your arrival]
and greeted their occupants.
That is better for you.
Maybe you will take admonition.
28 But if you do not find anyone in them,
do not enter them
until you are given permission,
and if you are told: ‘Turn back,’ then do turn back.
That is more decent for you.
And Allah knows best what you do.
29 There will be no sin upon you
1 Or, ‘Vicious words (or deeds) come from vicious persons, and vicious persons are worthy of vicious words (or deeds). Good words (or deeds) come from good people, and good people are worthy of good words (or deeds).’ According to this interpretation, this verse is similar in meaning to 17:84. This interpretation is also supported by the last part of the verse: ‘They are absolved of what they say [about them].’ However in accordance with the translation given above, the meaning of the verse will be similar to verse 24:3, at the beginning of this sūrah.
2 That is, persons of good repute among the faithful stand legally absolved of any kind of allegations against them unless there is valid evidence to the contrary.
