A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "I beseech you to judge us according to Allah's Laws." Then his opponent who was wiser than he, got up and said, "He has spoken the truth. So judge us according to Allah's Laws and please allow me (to speak), O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Speak." He said, "My son was a laborer for the family of this man and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife, and I gave one-hundred sheep and a slave as a ransom (for my son), but I asked the religious learned people (regarding this case), and they informed me that my son should be flogged onehundred stripes, and be exiled for one year, and the wife of this man should be stoned (to death)."The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will Judge you (in this case) according to Allah's Laws. The one-hundred (sheep) and the slave shall be returned to you and your son shall be flogged one-hundred stripes and be exiled for one year. And O Unais! Go in the morning to the wife of this man and ask her, and if she confesses, stone her to death." She confessed and he stoned her to death.
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:
Context
In this hadith, a man requests the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to judge a dispute based on Allah's Laws. The Prophet ﷺ affirms the importance of divine law in resolving conflicts, demonstrating his commitment to justice. He listens to both sides and delivers a verdict that reflects the principles of Islamic law, emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses discussed.
Modern Application
This hadith highlights the importance of seeking justice and adhering to ethical standards in resolving disputes. In modern contexts, it can inspire individuals to approach conflicts with fairness and integrity, seeking solutions that align with moral and ethical principles.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Punishments (Hudud) because it discusses the application of Islamic law in a specific case involving serious offenses.
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 they request from you, [O Muhammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, "Allah gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them - and [yet] you desire to marry them - and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice." And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is ever Knowing of it.
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.
[The Prophet] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."
This hadith is #6606 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 Al-Juhani:.