In the course of discussing matters relating to this verse and others, Shaykh al-Islām—may Allah have mercy on him—said concerning the words of Allah Most High:

“Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste, unsuspecting, believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter, and theirs will be a tremendous punishment.”

As for the detailed answer, it has three aspects.

First: According to many scholars, this verse concerns the Prophet’s wives specifically, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Hushaym narrated from al-‘Awwām ibn Hawshab, who said: A shaykh from Banū Kāhil narrated to us:

Ibn ‘Abbās explained Sūrat al-Nūr. When he reached the verse, “Indeed, those who falsely accuse chaste, unsuspecting, believing women,” through to its end, he said:

“This concerns ‘Ā’ishah and the Prophet’s wives specifically, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is unqualified; it contains no provision for repentance. But whoever accuses a believing woman of unchastity, Allah has made repentance available to him.”

Then he recited, “Those who accuse chaste women and then fail to produce four witnesses,” through to His words, “Except those who repent thereafter and mend their ways.” Thus, He made repentance available to the latter, but not to the former.

The narrator said: A man was about to rise and kiss his head because of the excellence of his explanation.