The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ لَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ يَطُولَ بِالنَّاسِ زَمَانٌ حَتَّى يَقُولَ قَائِلٌ لاَ نَجِدُ الرَّجْمَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ. فَيَضِلُّوا بِتَرْكِ فَرِيضَةٍ أَنْزَلَهَا اللَّهُ، أَلاَ وَإِنَّ الرَّجْمَ حَقٌّ عَلَى مَنْ زَنَى، وَقَدْ أَحْصَنَ، إِذَا قَامَتِ الْبَيِّنَةُ، أَوْ كَانَ الْحَمْلُ أَوْ الاِعْتِرَافُ ـ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ كَذَا حَفِظْتُ ـ أَلاَ وَقَدْ رَجَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَرَجَمْنَا بَعْدَهُ.
`Umar said, "I am afraid that after a long time has passed, people may say, "We do not find the Verses
of the Rajam (stoning to death) in the Holy Book," and consequently they may go astray by leaving an
obligation that Allah has revealed. Lo! I confirm that the penalty of Rajam be inflicted on him who
commits illegal sexual intercourse, if he is already married and the crime is proved by witnesses or
pregnancy or confession." Sufyan added, "I have memorized this narration in this way." `Umar added,
"Surely Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) carried out the penalty of Rajam, and so did we after him."
Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
Context
In this hadith, Umar expresses concern that future generations might neglect the punishment of stoning for adultery, as it is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran. He emphasizes that this punishment was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and himself, indicating its significance in maintaining moral standards within the community. This highlights the importance of preserving religious practices and ensuring that they are understood and upheld.
Modern Application
This hadith encourages individuals and communities to engage in discussions about moral and ethical standards, ensuring that important teachings are not forgotten over time. It serves as a prompt for continuous education and awareness regarding religious obligations.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Legislation and Punishments (Hudud) because it addresses the importance of adhering to divine laws regarding moral conduct and the prescribed punishments for transgressions.
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.
O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality - for her the punishment would be doubled two fold, and ever is that, for Allah, easy.
This hadith is #6580 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Ibn `Abbas:.
