Surah Al-Nur(24)- Summary and a thematic study:

A large part of Surah An-Nur (24) deals with the norms of gender interaction and with
certain ethical rules to be observed in the context of these relationship and interactions.
Explaining verse 01 of Surah An-Nur(24) Muhammad Asad(1990-1920) writes:
”It would seem that the special stress on Allah’s having laid down this sūrah “in plain terms” is connected with the gravity of the injunctions spelt out in the sequence: in other words, it implies a solemn warning against any attempt at widening or re-defining those injunctions by means of deductions, inferences, or any other considerations unconnected with the plain wording of the Qur’ān.” (Asad,1984).

In this regard Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872—1953AD) writes:” It must not be thought that the checking of sex offences or of minor improprieties, that relate to sex or privacy, are matters that do not affect spiritual life in the highest degree. These matters are intimately connected with spiritual teaching such as Allah has sent down in this Surah. The emphasis is on "We": these things are not mere matters of convenience, but Allah has ordained them for our observance in life (Yusaf Ali,413 A.H).

In the following a brief outline of Surah An-Nur (24) has been spelled out:-
1. Verses 1-3 Lay down definite legal injunctions for the punishment of those involved in illicit sexual intercourse.
2. Verses 4-5 spell out the punishment of slander, especially those who accuse chaste women of adultery/fornication.
3. Verses 6-10 deal with the cases when one of the spouses accuses his/her partner of adultery.
4. Verses 11-26 comment on the mishap of IFK (Monstrous lie/slander), the lessons the Muslim community must learn from it and weak points and gaps the nascent Muslim community need to plug and rectify.
5. Verses 27-29 spell out the etiquette and decorum while visiting other people’s homes. The norms of privacy have been drawn up.
6. Verses 30-31 enjoin upon the believers, both men and women, to guard their glances and observe modesty while interacting with one another. Believing women have been instructed not to display their charms and beauty in a suggestive manner and the parameters have been delineated where they can display their charms.
7. Verses 32-34 enjoin the fledgling Muslim community to arrange for the marriage of their bachelors, free among them as well the slaves. In this context, the Muslim community has been urged to help ameliorate the plight of slaves and help in their emancipation Those people who force their slave girls into whoredom have been condemned
8. Verses 35-40 illustrate conduct and acts of the true believers and hypocrites/unbelievers in two parables of light and utter darkness.
9. Verse 41 to 46 draw attention to various attributes of Allah in the light of His manifest signs in the universe and the creatures around us.
10. Verses 47-57 highlight some distinctive features of hypocrites and true believers. The alacrity of true believers in complying with the directives of Allah and his Prophet (peace be upon him) and shirking of the hypocrites in this regard has been underlined.
11. As a following-up to verses 27-29, the verses 58-59 lay down norms of privacy of the bedrooms in a Muslim household. Minors and servants of the house have been instructed to visit the bedrooms of their parents/masters in the specific times.
12. As a follow-up to verses 30-31, in verse 60 old women of the Muslim community has been exempted of certain curbs and strictures regarding display of charms and parts of body.
13. As a follow-up to verses 27-29, in verse 61 certain directives have been given to make sure the social mobility of Muslim community and avoidance of all unnecessary formalities in their mutual relations.
14. Verses 62-64 spell out certain instructions regarding the cohesion of Muslim community and certain quarters of the Muslim community are called upon to observe the etiquette of their conduct towards the prophet (peace be upon him).