Why are women and men treated differently in Surat An-Nur (verses 6-9) concerning the accusation of adultery against the wife, and in the general punishment for indecency, where the woman is imprisoned in her home while the same ruling is not mentioned for the man?

The verses in Surat An-Nur, referred to as the verses of li'an, legally signify the husband's oath regarding his wife's adultery or his denial of paternity, and her oath denying his accusation. It is a mandatory concession for denying paternity and permissible for witnessing adultery, though concealment is preferable. The reason for the wife's exclusive involvement in li'an—rather than the husband—is the attribution of a child not his to the husband. A wife must enjoin her husband to good and forbid him from evil if she sees him commit an abomination. If she refers his matter to the ruler, she must provide proof, otherwise she is subject to the hadd punishment for slander. A Muslim must submit to Allah's judgment and not doubt it. The other verse from Surat An-Nisa (And those who commit indecency) was abrogated by the verses of Surat An-Nur concerning the ruling on adultery (flogging and stoning). The punishment for adultery initially involved rebuke and harm, then confinement to homes, and finally the ruling of stoning and flogging became established. It is recommended to consult various tafsir (definition) works such as Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Atiyyah, and Ibn Ashour.