The Jews came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and told him that a man and a woman from amongst them had committed illegal sexual intercourse. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to them, "What do you find in the Torah (old Testament) about the legal punishment of Ar-Rajm (stoning)?" They replied, (But) we announce their crime and lash them." `Abdullah bin Salam said, "You are telling a lie; Torah contains the order of Rajm." They brought and opened the Torah and one of them solaced his hand on the Verse of Rajm and read the verses preceding and following it. `Abdullah bin Salam said to him, "Lift your hand." When he lifted his hand, the Verse of Rajm was written there. They said, "Muhammad has told the truth; the Torah has the Verse of Rajm. The Prophet (ﷺ) then gave the order that both of them should be stoned to death. (`Abdullah bin `Umar said, "I saw the man leaning over the woman to shelter her from the stones."
Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions - Sahih al-Bukhari 3635
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the Prophet's commitment to divine law and his wisdom in dealing with the People of the Book. When the Jews came seeking judgment, the Prophet (ﷺ) did not immediately impose Islamic law but rather asked them to consult their own scripture, showing respect for previous revelations while affirming the continuity of divine legislation.
Scholarly Commentary on the Incident
The Jews' initial concealment of the stoning verse demonstrates how religious communities sometimes suppress inconvenient divine commandments. Abdullah bin Salam's intervention as a former Jewish scholar who embraced Islam highlights how sincere converts often become the most authentic witnesses to the truth of previous scriptures.
The Prophet's methodology here establishes an important legal principle: when dealing with People of the Book living under Islamic rule, they may be judged according to their own authentic religious laws, provided these don't contradict fundamental Islamic principles.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith confirms stoning (rajm) as a legitimate punishment for married adulterers in Islamic law, demonstrating the continuity between Mosaic law and Shariah. The final observation by Abdullah bin Umar about the man sheltering the woman reveals profound human compassion even during divinely ordained punishment, showing that Islamic justice combines firm application of law with recognition of human dignity.
The incident ultimately serves as validation of the Prophet's truthfulness and the Quran's confirmation of previous scriptures, while exposing how religious communities sometimes alter or conceal parts of their sacred texts.