Tafsir of An-Nur 24:16

[Question]: How is it permissible to separate lawla (why not) from qultum (you said)?

[Answer]: Adverbial phrases (ẓurūf) have a special status. They are treated as if they are part of the things themselves because actions occur within them and are inseparable from them. Therefore, what is permitted in them is not permitted elsewhere.

[Question]: What is the benefit of placing the adverbial phrase first, thereby creating a separation?

[Answer]: The benefit is to clarify that their duty was to refrain from speaking about the slander the very moment they heard it. Since mentioning the time was of primary importance, placing it first was necessary.

[Question]: What is the meaning of yakūn (to be) here, when the sentence would be complete without it—as if one said, "It is not for us to speak of this"?

[Answer]: Its meaning is "it is appropriate" or "it is valid." That is: "It is not appropriate for us to speak of this, nor is it valid for us." Similar to this is: "It is not for me to say what I have no right to" (5:116).

[Question]: And Subḥānaka (Glory be to You)?

[Answer]: It is used to express astonishment at the gravity of the matter.

[Question]: What is the meaning of astonishment in a word of glorification (tasbīḥ)?

[Answer]: The origin of this is that one glorifies Allah upon seeing something wondrous in His creation. It then became so frequent that it was used for anything one finds astonishing. Alternatively, it is to declare Allah transcendent above the possibility that the wife of His Prophet—peace be upon him—could be an adulteress.

[Question]: How is it permissible for a Prophet’s wife to be a disbeliever, like the wives of Noah and Lot, but not permissible for her to be an adulteress?

[Answer]: Because Prophets are sent to disbelievers to call them and win them over; therefore, there must be nothing about them that repels people. Disbelief was not considered something that repels [in that context], whereas unchastity is among the greatest of repelling factors.

"Allah warns you against returning to the like of this ever, if you are believers. And Allah makes clear to you the verses, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."