"And those who accuse" means: who accuse [chaste women] of adultery. "Chaste women" refers to: free Muslim women. "Then do not bring four witnesses," [meaning] they all come and testify against her regarding adultery. "Then lash them with eighty lashes," they are to be lashed with a whip with moderate strikes, and likewise is the case for anyone who accuses a free Muslim [of adultery]. "And do not accept their testimony ever, and those are the defiantly disobedient," [meaning] the sinners, and it is not the disobedience of polytheism; and it is one of the major sins.