Uwaimir Al-`Ajlani came to `Asim bin Adi Al-Ansari and asked, "O `Asim! Tell me, if a man sees his wife with another man, should he kill him, whereupon you would kill him in Qisas, or what should he do? O `Asim! Please ask Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about that." `Asim asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about that. Allah's Apostle disliked that question and considered it disgraceful. What `Asim heard from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was hard on him. When he returned to his family, 'Uwaimir came to him and said "O `Asim! What did Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say to you?" `Asim said, "You never bring me any good. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) disliked to hear the problem which I asked him about." 'Uwaimir said, "By Allah, I will not leave the matter till I ask him about it." So 'Uwaimir proceeded till he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who was in the midst of the people and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! If a man finds with his wife another man, should he kill him, whereupon you would kill him (in Qisas): or otherwise, what should he do?" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah has revealed something concerning the question of you and your wife. Go and bring her here." So they both carried out the judgment of Lian, while I was present among the people (as a witness). When both of them had finished, 'Uwaimir said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! If I should now keep my wife with me, then I have told a lie". Then he pronounced his decision to divorce her thrice before Allah's Apostle ordered him to do so. (Ibn Shihab said, "That was the tradition for all those who are involved in a case of Lian."
Sahih al-Bukhari 5259 - Commentary on Li'an (Mutual Cursing)
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari's Book of Divorce addresses the grave matter of spousal accusation without evidence. When Uwaimir al-Ajlani witnessed his wife in compromising circumstances, he initially contemplated violent retaliation, reflecting pre-Islamic tribal customs where honor killings were common.
The Prophet's initial displeasure demonstrates Islam's rejection of vigilante justice and emphasizes the sanctity of life. Rather than permitting extrajudicial killing, Allah revealed the procedure of Li'an - a solemn oath-taking process where both spouses swear before God, protecting rights while preventing false accusations.
Legal Wisdom in Li'an Procedure
The Li'an process involves four oaths by the accuser testifying to truthfulness, followed by a fifth oath invoking God's curse upon himself if lying. The accused spouse then takes four oaths of innocence, with a fifth invoking God's wrath if guilty.
This divine legislation prevents bloodshed while maintaining marital sanctity. The automatic divorce following Li'an serves as protection for both parties - the husband preserves his honor without violence, while the wife avoids punishment if innocent.
Scholarly Observations
Classical scholars note that Uwaimir's immediate divorce after Li'an established the precedent that such accusations irrevocably destroy marital trust. The separation becomes mandatory once the process is complete.
This ruling demonstrates Islam's balanced approach to justice - rejecting both the concealment of major sins and the reckless destruction of reputations through unproven allegations. The Li'an process serves as divine arbitration when direct evidence is unavailable.