Quote:
{24:1} [This is] a surah which We have sent down and made [that within it] obligatory and revealed therein verses of clear evidence that you might remember.
No need for transliteration. I concede that
سورة isn't perfectly translated "Chapter," but it is a very reasonable translation. I suggest,
{24:1} [This is] a Chapter which We have sent down, mandated it and sent down in it verses of clear evidence so that you may remember.Quote:
{24:2} The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of God, if you should believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.
The interjection "[unmarried]" is justified by the Hadeeth, but it is not implied by the Arabic. We translate the words here, not the religion. I suggest,
{24:2} The fornicating woman and the fornicating man - flog each one of the two of them a hundred lashes, and let not take you for them pity in the religion of God, if you have been believing in God and the Final Day. And let witness their torment a bevy of the believers.Quote:
{24:3} The fornicator does not marry except a [female] fornicator or polytheist, and none marries her except a fornicator or a polytheist, and that has been made unlawful to the believers.
I suggest,
{24:3} The fornicating man does not marry but a fornicating or a polytheist woman, and the fornicating woman - none marries her but a fornicating or a polytheist man, and that has been forbidden to the believers.