Illegal sexual intercourse; evidence Of witnesses

Those who commit immorality [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] of your women - bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify,¹ confine them [i.e., the guilty women] to houses until death takes them or Allāh ordains for them [another] way.²

And the two¹ who commit it [i.e., unlawful sexual intercourse] among you - punish [i.e., dishonor] them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allāh is ever Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.

The repentance accepted by Allāh is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon [after].¹ It is those to whom Allāh will turn in forgiveness, and Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.

But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "Indeed, I have repented now," or of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful punishment.

Indeed, those who like that immorality¹ should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allāh knows² and you do not know.

The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse¹ - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes,² and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion [i.e., law] of Allāh,³ if you should believe in Allāh and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.