وَإِن كانَ قَميصُهُ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَت وَهُوَ مِنَ الصّادِقينَ

But if his shirt is torn from behind, then she lies and he tells the truth.’

EXPOSITION

The only reasonable way the shirt could have been torn from the back is if he was running away from her and she grabbed at him.[1]

There is also an important lesson here, that one should not remain silent when somebody is getting wrongfully accused.[2] By speaking up, the witness ensured that a prophet of God would not get wrongfully punished.

[1] See Tabrisi, 5/347.
[2] See also Qaraati, 4/189.