Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
Sahih
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ الْيَهُودَ، جَاءُوا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرُوا لَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلاً مِنْهُمْ وَامْرَأَةً زَنَيَا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" مَا تَجِدُونَ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ فِي شَأْنِ الرَّجْمِ ". فَقَالُوا نَفْضَحُهُمْ وَيُجْلَدُونَ. فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ كَذَبْتُمْ، إِنَّ فِيهَا الرَّجْمَ. فَأَتَوْا بِالتَّوْرَاةِ فَنَشَرُوهَا، فَوَضَعَ أَحَدُهُمْ يَدَهُ عَلَى آيَةِ الرَّجْمِ، فَقَرَأَ مَا قَبْلَهَا وَمَا بَعْدَهَا. فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ ارْفَعْ يَدَكَ. فَرَفَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا فِيهَا آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ. فَقَالُوا صَدَقَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ، فِيهَا آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ. فَأَمَرَ بِهِمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرُجِمَا. قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَرَأَيْتُ الرَّجُلَ يَجْنَأُ عَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ يَقِيهَا الْحِجَارَةَ.
The Jews came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and told him that a man and a woman from amongst them had
committed illegal sexual intercourse. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to them, "What do you find in the Torah
(old Testament) about the legal punishment of Ar-Rajm (stoning)?" They replied, (But) we announce
their crime and lash them." `Abdullah bin Salam said, "You are telling a lie; Torah contains the order
of Rajm." They brought and opened the Torah and one of them solaced his hand on the Verse of Rajm
and read the verses preceding and following it. `Abdullah bin Salam said to him, "Lift your hand."
When he lifted his hand, the Verse of Rajm was written there. They said, "Muhammad has told the
truth; the Torah has the Verse of Rajm. The Prophet (ﷺ) then gave the order that both of them should be
stoned to death. (`Abdullah bin `Umar said, "I saw the man leaning over the woman to shelter her
from the stones."
Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Context
In this hadith, the Jews approached the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to discuss the punishment for a man and woman who had committed adultery. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked them about the punishment prescribed in the Torah. When they claimed it was only lashing, a Jewish convert, Abdullah bin Salam, corrected them, stating that the Torah indeed prescribes stoning. This led to the Prophet (ﷺ) ordering the punishment of stoning for the guilty couple, highlighting the importance of adhering to divine laws.
Modern Application
This hadith emphasizes the significance of justice and the need to uphold the law, regardless of social status. In today's society, it reminds us to ensure that justice is applied fairly and consistently, without favoritism or bias, especially in legal matters.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Punishments (Hudud) because it illustrates the application of a divine law regarding punishment for adultery.
The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.
Those who commit unlawful sexual intercourse of your women - bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify, confine the guilty women to houses until death takes them or Allah ordains for them [another] way.
And the two who commit it among you, dishonor them both. But if they repent and correct themselves, leave them alone. Indeed, Allah is ever Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.
The Jews say "The Christians have nothing [true] to stand on," and the Christians say, "The Jews have nothing to stand on," although they [both] recite the Scripture. Thus the polytheists speak the same as their words. But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
This hadith is #3480 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:.