وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةً وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًا 32
Translations
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Transliteration
Wa lā taqrabū az-zināʾ innahū kāna fāḥishataw wa sāʾa sabīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah categorically prohibits approaching or coming near to zināʾ (unlawful sexual intercourse), emphasizing not merely the act itself but even the approaches leading to it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that the command uses the word 'approach' (taqrabū) rather than simply 'do not commit' to establish a comprehensive moral boundary, demonstrating Islam's preventative ethical framework. The ayah describes zināʾ as a fahishah (grave obscenity) and a destructive path, reflecting its severe spiritual, social, and moral consequences.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic principles and moral conduct during the early period of Islamic revelation. It appears within a series of divine commandments (verses 22-39) establishing core ethical guidelines for believers, reflecting the Quranic emphasis on chastity and family honor as foundational to Islamic society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'No one of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' (Sahih Bukhari 13), and regarding zināʾ: 'When a man commits zināʾ, faith departs from him like a cloud' (Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī). The Prophet also emphasized guarding the eyes and hearts as protections against this sin.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Islamic morality is proactive rather than merely reactive—believers are called to guard themselves by avoiding even the pathways leading to sin, not just the sin itself. In modern context, this principle extends to mindful consumption of media, guarding one's gaze and heart, and building supportive communities that uphold collective moral standards.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِٱلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلرُّءْيَا ٱلَّتِىٓ أَرَيْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّجَرَةَ ٱلْمَلْعُونَةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ ۚ وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا طُغْيَـٰنًا كَبِيرًا
And [remember, O Muḥammad], when We told you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur’ān. And We threaten [i.e., warn] them, but it increases them not except in great transgression.
وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ أَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا
And what prevented the people from believing when guidance came to them except that they said, "Has Allāh sent a human messenger?"
وَقَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ يَنۢبُوعًا
And they say, "We will not believe you until you break open for us from the ground a spring
إِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّ فَضْلَهُۥ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ كَبِيرًا
Except [We have left it with you] as a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, His favor upon you has ever been great.