Two men brought a dispute before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). One of them said: Pronounce judgement between us in accordance with Allah’s Book, Messenger of Allah! The other who had more understanding said: Yes, Messenger of Allah! Pronounce judgement between us in accordance with Allah’s Book, and allow me to speak. He (the Prophet) said: Speak, He then said: My son who was a hired servant with this(man) committed fornication with his wife, and when I was told that my son must be stoned to death, I ransomed him with a hundred sheep and a slave girl of mine; but when I asked the learned, they told me that my son should receive a hundred lashes and be banished for a year, and that stoning to death applied only to man’s wife. The apostle of Allah (ﷺ) replied: By him in whose hand my soul is, I shall certainly pronounce judgment between you in accordance with Allah’s Book. Your sheep and your slave girl must be returned to you, and your son shall receive a hundred lashes and be banished for a year. And he commanded Unias al-Aslami go to that man’s wife, and if she confessed, he should stone her to death. She confessed and he stoned her.
Hadith Text & Context
Narrated Abu Hurairah: Two men brought a dispute before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). One said: "Judge between us by Allah's Book!" The other, wiser, said: "Yes, Messenger of Allah! Judge by Allah's Book and permit me to speak." The Prophet said: "Speak." He said: "My son, hired by this man, committed adultery with his wife. When told my son must be stoned, I ransomed him with 100 sheep and a slave-girl. But scholars informed me my son receives 100 lashes and exile for one year, while stoning applies only to the married woman." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, I shall judge between you by Allah's Book: Your sheep and slave-girl are returned to you; your son receives 100 lashes and exile for one year." He commanded Unais al-Aslami to go to the woman; if she confessed, stone her. She confessed and was stoned.
Legal Rulings & Jurisprudence
This hadith establishes crucial legal distinctions: The punishment for adultery differs between married (muhsan) and unmarried persons. A married adulterer receives stoning (rajm), while an unmarried one receives 100 lashes and exile for one year.
The ruling demonstrates that punishments cannot be commuted through ransom or compensation - the divinely prescribed penalty must be applied. The father's payment was invalid and returned.
Confession remains essential for implementing hadd punishments. The Prophet sent someone to verify the woman's confession before execution.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Nawawi explains: "This hadith proves the punishment for unmarried fornicators is whipping and exile, while married fornicators receive stoning. The wisdom in exile is to purify the land from corruption."
Ibn Qudamah states: "The return of the ransom demonstrates that hadd punishments are rights of Allah that cannot be waived through compensation. They serve as purification and deterrent."
Al-Qurtubi notes: "The Prophet's emphasis on judging by Allah's Book shows the obligation to adhere strictly to divine legislation in judicial matters, not personal opinion or custom."
Spiritual Lessons
The incident teaches the importance of seeking knowledge before acting. The father initially acted on incomplete understanding, highlighting the value of consulting scholars.
It demonstrates the justice of Islamic law - punishing each according to their specific circumstances while maintaining divine standards.
The Prophet's implementation of the law despite its severity shows that divine commandments must be applied consistently, without favoritism or compromise.