Tafsir of An-Nur 24:13

Surah An-Nur (The Light): Verse 13

{لَوْلَا جَاءُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ}

This verse is a form of admonition (deterrent). The meaning is: Why did they not bring four witnesses to confirm what they alleged?

{فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِالشُّهَدَاءِ}

That is, since they did not provide evidence for what they said,

{فَأُولَئِكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ}

meaning, in God's judgment,

{هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ}

If one asks: If they did not bring witnesses, is it not possible that they are truthful, just as it is possible they are lying? Why is their being liars stated definitively?

The answer is twofold:

1. The intended meaning here specifically refers to those who slandered 'A'ishah. In reality, they were liars in the sight of God.
2. The intended meaning is: "Then those people, in God's judgment, are considered liars." This is because a liar must be deterred from lying. If a slanderer does not bring witnesses, he must be deterred. Since his situation warrants the same deterrent measure as that of a liar, the term "liar" is applied to him metaphorically.

The Third Type (of Divine Mercy/Warning)

{وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَفَضْتُمْ فِيهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ}

(And were it not for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter, a great punishment would have afflicted you for what you plunged into.)