al-Fawāḥish is interpreted in four senses:
1. al-Fawāḥish means disobedience (maʿṣiya) within shirk (associating partners with God); as in the following verse:
If a person of immorality (fāḥisha), from the people of ignorance, commits a maʿṣiya (disobedience) in shirk (associating partners with God) regarding something they themselves have declared forbidden, they say, "We found our forefathers upon this, and Allah has commanded us to do it." Say, "Allah does not command al-faḥshāʾ (i.e., maʿṣiya—this refers to their making the cultivation and livestock forbidden according to their desires)." (al-Aʿrāf 7:28)
2. By the term al-Fāḥisha, what is meant is maʿṣiya (disobedience)—specifically, this is zinā (fornication/adultery); as in the following verses:
As for those women among you who commit that fāḥisha (i.e., that maʿṣiya—this is zinā)... (al-Nisāʾ 4:15)
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden al-fawāḥish (i.e., zinā), what is apparent of them and what is concealed." (al-Aʿrāf 7:33)
O wives of the Prophet! Whoever among you commits a clear fāḥisha (i.e., zinā)... (al-Aḥzāb 33:30)
3. By the word al-Fāḥisha, what is meant is approaching men from their rear (homosexual acts); as in the following verse:
(Lūṭ said): "Indeed, you commit that fāḥisha (i.e., that maʿṣiya—this is approaching men from their rear)!" (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:28)
4. al-Fāḥisha means disobedience—specifically, this is nushūz (rebellion/disobedience) of a woman; as in the following verses:
Do not constrain them in order to take back part of what you have given them unless they commit a clear fāḥisha (i.e., rebellion/disobedience/insubordination). (al-Nisāʾ 4:19)
Do not expel them from their houses unless they commit a clear fāḥisha (i.e., rebellion/disobedience/insubordination), nor should they leave. (al-Ṭalāq 65:1)