A bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) while he (the Prophet) was sitting, and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Give
your verdict according to Allah's Laws (in our case)." Then his opponent got up and said, "He has told
the truth, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Decide his case according to Allah's Laws. My son was a laborer
working for this person, and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife, and the people told
me that my son should be stoned to death, but I offered one-hundred sheep and a slave girl as a
ransom for him. Then I asked the religious learned people, and they told me that my son should be
flogged with one-hundred stripes and be exiled for one year." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose
Hand my soul is, I will judge you according to Allah's Laws. The sheep and the slave girl will be
returned to you and your son will be flogged one-hundred stripes and be exiled for one year. And you,
O Unais! Go to the wife of this man (and if she confesses), stone her to death." So Unais went in the
morning and stoned her to death (after she had confessed).
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid:
Context
In this hadith, a Bedouin approached the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) seeking a judgment based on Allah's laws regarding a serious matter involving his son. The case involved accusations of illegal sexual intercourse, and the Prophet (ﷺ) decisively ruled according to the prescribed punishments in Islamic law. This situation highlights the importance of adhering to divine guidance in matters of justice and morality.
Modern Application
This hadith emphasizes the significance of following established laws and principles in our lives. In contemporary society, it serves as a reminder to seek justice through proper channels and to uphold moral standards, especially in serious matters that affect individuals and families.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Major Sins and Punishments (Hudud) because it addresses the consequences of serious offenses and the application of legal punishments as prescribed in Islamic law.
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.
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.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
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.
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
This hadith is #6585 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid:.