Quran

The mention of a female fornicator precedes that of a male fornicator to draw attention to the ruling. Since the woman is mostly the inducer of the man to commit fornication, and with her collaboration, fornication occurs. If she had refrained from that, the man would not have been able to do it. So, she is mentioned first to emphasize warning to her. Ibn Ashur: 18/146.
Question: The mention of a female fornicator precedes that of a male fornicator. Why?

This, in fact, shows Allah's mercy for His servants since He sent Muhammad (ﷺ) as a mercy to the worlds. Allah, the Exalted, is more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child. However, sometimes, the required mercy does not occur except with some pain and hardship to some souls. Ibn Taimyah: 4/486.
Question: Allah's mercy to His servants does not occur except with some pain and hardship. Explain in the light of the verse.

This does not mean that we should not naturally feel pity when carrying out the punishment. What is prohibited here is the kind of pity that may make the judge ignore the punishment altogether. This is what is not permitted. Ibn Kathir: 3/253.
Question: What is the forbidden pity in this verse?

So that it will become widely known and thus disgrace the fornicators and deter others from committing this deed. Al-Saadi: 561.
Question: What is the benefit of letting people witness the punishment?

This highlights the abhorrent nature of fornication, for it tarnishes the honor of the one who does it and that of the one with whom he does it, in a manner that is not shared by other sins. Al-Saadi: 561.
Question: The verse indicates the abhorrent nature of fornication. Explain.

In this verse, Allah mentions only women because accusing them of indecency is more hideous and repulsive, but this rule applies also to men, according to the consensus of the Muslim community. Al-Qurtubi: 15/123.
Question: Allah mentions only women even though it applies also to men. Why?

The wrath of Allah is mentioned specially in the case of the woman because usually a man would not go to the extent of exposing his wife and accusing her of adultery unless he is telling the truth, and has good reason to do this, and that she knows that what he is accusing her of is true. Hence, in her case, the fifth testimony calls for the wrath of Allah to be upon her, for the one upon whom is the wrath of Allah, is the one who knows the truth yet deviates from it. Ibn Kathir: 3/257.
Question: The wrath of Allah is mentioned specially in the case of the woman. Why?