Tafsir of An-Nur 24:14

Surah An-Nur (The Light): Verse 14

This is also from the category of deterrents. The particle lawlā (if not for) here implies the impossibility of something occurring due to the existence of something else.

(It is said: afāḍa fī al-ḥadīth (he spoke extensively about the matter), andandafaʿa (he rushed forth), and khāḍa (he plunged into).)

There are two interpretations for the meaning:

1. The First Meaning: If I had not decreed that I would bestow favor upon you in this world through various blessings—among which is granting respite for repentance—and if I had not decreed mercy upon you in the Hereafter through pardon and forgiveness, I would have hastened the punishment upon you for what you engaged in concerning the slanderous affair (al-Ifk).
2. The Second Meaning: If it were not for the grace of God upon you and His mercy, a great punishment would have afflicted you in this world and the Hereafter for what you spread about. This implies a transposition (of words), and the address is directed towards those who made the false accusation (al-qadhfah), which is the view of Muqatil. This grace is God Almighty's decree of delaying punishment and His decree to accept the repentance of whoever repents.

{When you received it with your tongues and uttered with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you thought it was insignificant, while it was grave in the sight of God.}

• When you received it with your tongues: Meaning, when you heard the slander and spread it.
• and uttered with your mouths what you had no knowledge of: You spoke about the matter without any certain knowledge or proof.
• and you thought it was insignificant: You considered this act of spreading falsehood to be a minor matter.
• while it was grave in the sight of God: But in God's view, it was an immense sin.