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
وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۚ وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَلَّوْا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَـٰرِهِمْ نُفُورًا
And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’ān, they turn back in aversion.
۞ قُلْ كُونُوا۟ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا
Say, "Be you stones or iron
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
قُل لَّوْ كَانَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَلَـٰٓئِكَةٌ يَمْشُونَ مُطْمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَلَكًا رَّسُولًا
Say, "If there were upon the earth angels walking securely, We would have sent down to them from the heaven an angel [as a] messenger."