Section: Meanings Derived from Surah al-Nūr

Allah Most High says:

“This is a surah We have sent down and made binding, and in it We have sent down clear verses, so that you may take heed.”

He thus made its provisions binding through clear explanations and the precise delineation of Allah’s limits. Whoever passes beyond what these limits permit into what is forbidden has wronged himself, and whoever approaches what they forbid has transgressed and overstepped the limits.

In this surah, He prescribed the punishment for the two people guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse: one hundred lashes each. He also explained the testimony required to establish unlawful sexual intercourse: four testimonies. Likewise, He prescribed the testimony of spouses engaging in mutual imprecation: each makes four declarations, swearing by Allah.

He forbade overstepping His limits concerning sexual relations, honour and privacy, and concerning obedience to someone vested with authority, whether within his home or within his jurisdiction. No one is to leave or enter without his permission.

Rights are of two kinds: those belonging to Allah, whose limits must not be transgressed; and those belonging to people, over which they have authority, so that no action may be taken without the right-holder’s permission. No one may do anything affecting another person’s rights except with Allah’s permission, even if the right-holder has not given permission. Allah’s permission is the foundation; the right-holder’s permission applies where Allah has authorized it and granted him the right to give it.

For this reason, He included in this surah seeking permission to enter homes and partake of food, and seeking permission in