The tradition mentioned above (No. 4401) has also been transmitted by Ubadah ibn as-Samit through a different chain of narrators.
This version has: The people said to Sa'd ibn Ubadah: AbuThabit, the prescribed punishments have been revealed: if you find a man with your wife, what will you do?
He said: I shall strike them with a sword so much that they become silent (i.e. die). Should I go and gather four witnesses? Until that (time) the need would be fulfilled.
So they went away and gathered with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: Messenger of Allah! did you not see AbuThabit. He said so-and-so.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The sword is a sufficient witness. He then said: No, no, a furious and a jealous man may follow this course.
Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been transmitted by Waki' from al-Fadl b. Dilham from al-Hasan, from Qabisah b. Huraith, from Salamah b. al-Muhabbaq, from the Prophet (ﷺ). And this is the chain of the tradition narrated by Ibn al-Muhabbaq to the effect that a man had sexual intercourse with a slave girl of his wife.
Abu Dawud said: Al-Fadl b. Dilham was not the memoriser of traditions. He was a butcher in Wasit.
Prescribed Punishments (Kitab Al-Hudud) - Sunan Abi Dawud 4417
This tradition presents a significant legal discussion regarding the implementation of hudud punishments, particularly concerning adultery. Sa'd ibn Ubadah's initial response reflects the natural human emotion of jealousy and the desire for immediate justice when discovering marital infidelity.
Scholarly Commentary on the Legal Principles
The Prophet's initial response "The sword is a sufficient witness" acknowledges the gravity of the crime, yet his immediate correction demonstrates the wisdom of Islamic law in preventing rash actions based solely on emotional outrage.
This tradition establishes the critical principle that hudud punishments cannot be implemented based on suspicion or emotional reaction alone, even when the evidence seems compelling to the individual. The requirement for proper evidence safeguards against wrongful punishment.
Legal Methodology and Evidentiary Standards
The mention of "four witnesses" refers to the strict evidentiary requirement for proving adultery in Islamic law, which serves as a protective measure against false accusations and ensures due process.
Abu Dawud's notes about the chain of transmission and his assessment of al-Fadl b. Dilham demonstrate the meticulous methodology of hadith scholars in verifying traditions, ensuring the reliability of legal rulings derived from them.
Practical Implications and Wisdom
This ruling emphasizes that Islamic law prioritizes justice over vengeance, and establishes institutional procedures over individual retribution, even in matters as emotionally charged as marital infidelity.
The tradition serves as a reminder that while natural emotions are acknowledged, they must be governed by divine law and proper legal channels to maintain social order and prevent injustice.