Intermediate
Hudud
Surah: Al-Isra (32)
Do Not Approach Adultery — It Was an Indecency — Prohibition of Even Approaching
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةٗ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلٗا
— الإسراء الآية 32
Verse: "And do not approach adultery — indeed it was an indecency and an evil way." (17:32)
"Do not approach" not "do not do": Prohibition of even approaching — because approaching inevitably leads to the act. A lesson in blocking means and prohibiting what leads to the forbidden.
"Indecency" (fahisha): Adultery is extreme indecency because it corrupts lineages, families, and society.
Blocking means of adultery: Forbidden seclusion, forbidden glancing, touching with intent — all are steps that lead to it.
"Do not approach" not "do not do": Prohibition of even approaching — because approaching inevitably leads to the act. A lesson in blocking means and prohibiting what leads to the forbidden.
"Indecency" (fahisha): Adultery is extreme indecency because it corrupts lineages, families, and society.
Blocking means of adultery: Forbidden seclusion, forbidden glancing, touching with intent — all are steps that lead to it.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (10/253); Ibn Kathir (5/70); Ibn Qudama (9/34)
Test Yourself
Why does the Quran say "do not approach adultery" rather than "do not commit"?
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