Overview (Verses 19 - 21)

Further Warnings, More Grace

The sūrah further elaborates its comments on this falsehood and its effects, repeating its warning against anything that may be of a similar nature. It reminds the Muslims of God’s grace and mercy, warning those who falsely accuse chaste women of committing indecency that they expose themselves to God’s punishment in the life to come. It also purges people’s hearts of the remaining effects of this confrontation, frees them of earthly restrictions and restores their purity. This is clearly reflected in Abū Bakr’s attitude to Misţah ibn Athāthah, his relative who was involved in repeating the story.

“Those who love that gross indecency should spread among the believers shall be visited with grievous suffering both in this world and in the life to come. God knows, but you do not know.” (Verse 19) The ones who accused chaste women of adultery, particularly those who made their accusations against the Prophet’s own family, really aimed to undermine the values of goodness, chastity and fidelity, so as to make it easier for people to commit adultery by implying that it was common practice. When people begin to think of it in this light, it will be practised more frequently.

This is the reason for describing the false accusers of chaste women as people who love to spread indecency among the believers. Hence they are warned against a very severe suffering both in this life and in the life to come.

It is an aspect of the Qur’ānic method of educating the Muslim community and a measure of prevention based on perfect knowledge of how people react and formulate their attitudes, feelings and lines of action. Hence, the comment at the end of the verse asserts: “God knows, but you do not know.” Who knows the human heart better than the One who created it? Who can provide humanity with a better code of living than the One who originated it? Who sees what is concealed as well as what is left in the open, and whose knowledge encompasses all things and situations? Once again the sūrah reminds the believers of the grace God bestows on them: “Were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, and that God is Compassionate, Merciful. ..!” (Verse 20)

The mistake committed was grave indeed, and its evil was about to engulf the whole Muslim community, but God’s grace, mercy and care prevented this evil. Hence, God reminds them of this, time after time, as He aims this to be an edifying lesson. When they realized the extent of the matter that could have engulfed them all, had it not been for God’s grace and mercy, they were told that what they did was indeed following in Satan’s footsteps. They must not fall into this trap, since Satan is their avowed enemy, ever since the beginning of human life. Again they are warned against what this may entail in their life: “Believers! Do not follow Satan’s footsteps, for he who follows Satan’s footsteps will only enjoin what is shameful and wrong. Were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, none of you would have ever been pure. It is God who causes whomever He wills to grow in purity. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Verse 21)

Nothing but a terrible fate awaits the believers if they take just one step with Satan. They should steer away from him altogether and follow a different way. The very thought of following Satan is repugnant to believers. Hence, drawing it in this way and holding it in front of them should make them always alert. “He who follows Satan’s footsteps will only enjoin what is shameful and wrong.” (Verse 21) This false story is a stark and gruesome example of how Satan leads believers to something evil.

Man is weak, susceptible to desires and whims which may leave him stained, unless he benefits by God’s grace when he turns to Him and follows His guidance: “Were it not for God’s favour upon you and His grace, none of you would have ever been pure. It is God who causes whomever He wills to grow in purity.” (Verse 21) When God’s light shines in a believer’s heart, it purifies it. It is only through God’s favours and grace that people grow in purity. Since God knows all and hears all, He certainly knows the ones who deserve to be purified and who are genuinely good. It is these that He helps to grow in purity.