Verse 31
The Combined Forces • madinah
View Aspects
يَٰنِسَآءَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ مَن يَأْتِ مِنكُنَّ بِفَٰحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَٰعَفْ لَهَا ٱلْعَذَابُ ضِعْفَيْنِ ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا
Important Words:
فاحشة (anything exceeding the bounds of rectitude) being derived from فحش means, an excess or anything exceeding the bounds of
rectitude or a thing excessively evil; anything forbidden by God, unseemly conduct; also avarice or niggardliness in the payment of Zakah (Aqrab). See also 2:170 & 4:16.
Commentary:
The words "the punishment would be doubled to her" signify, that if they hankered after physical comforts, which in reality is the significance of the word فاحشة used in the verse, they would be setting a very bad example, and as wives of the Holy Prophet whose example was bound to be followed by other women they would be incurring a grave responsibility and would, therefore, deserve double punishment. On the other hand, if they were devoted to God and His Messenger and had set a noble example for others to copy, their reward would also be double.
Conduct falling short of the highest standards of faith.
If they prefer physical comforts, which is the significance of the word Fahishah (Lane) used in the verse, they would be setting a very bad example, and as wives of the Holy Prophet whose example was bound to be followed by other women they would be incurring a grave responsibility and would, therefore, deserve double punishment. On the other hand, if they were devoted to God and His Messenger and had set a noble example of self-denial for others to copy, their reward would also be double.