`Umar said, "I am afraid that after a long time has passed, people may say, "We do not find the Verses of the Rajam (stoning to death) in the Holy Book," and consequently they may go astray by leaving an obligation that Allah has revealed. Lo! I confirm that the penalty of Rajam be inflicted on him who commits illegal sexual intercourse, if he is already married and the crime is proved by witnesses or pregnancy or confession." Sufyan added, "I have memorized this narration in this way." `Umar added, "Surely Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) carried out the penalty of Rajam, and so did we after him."
The Authority of Sunnah in Islamic Legislation
This narration from Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) establishes a fundamental principle: the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) constitutes divine revelation alongside the Quran. When Umar feared people might neglect the punishment of stoning because it is not explicitly detailed in the Quranic text, he affirmed its obligation based on the Prophet's practice.
The statement demonstrates that Islamic law derives from both the Quran and the authentic Sunnah, with the latter explaining, detailing, and sometimes supplementing the former. This refutes those who claim to follow only the Quran while rejecting the Prophetic traditions.
The Punishment of Rajam (Stoning)
Rajam is prescribed for the married person (muhsan) who commits illegal sexual intercourse (zina). This punishment applies specifically to those who have entered a valid marriage and have had the opportunity for lawful sexual relations.
The conditions for implementing this punishment are stringent: either the testimony of four upright witnesses who directly witnessed the act, a valid confession repeated without coercion, or pregnancy in the case of an unmarried woman without evidence of coercion.
Umar's emphasis on this punishment despite its absence from the Quranic text shows the importance of preserving all aspects of Shariah, whether explicitly mentioned in the Quran or established through the Sunnah.
Preservation of Religious Obligations
Umar's concern reflects the responsibility of Muslim scholars and rulers to preserve religious teachings in their complete form. He anticipated that future generations might neglect this ruling due to its absence from the Quranic text.
This demonstrates the Companions' meticulous care in transmitting both the Quran and Sunnah accurately, ensuring that no part of Allah's legislation is lost or neglected over time.
The mention that "Allah's Messenger carried out the penalty of Rajam, and so did we after him" establishes the continuous practice of this ruling from the Prophet through the Rightly Guided Caliphs.