'Asim, what did Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say to you? 'Asim said to 'Uwaimir: You did not bring something good. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did not like this religious verdict that I sought from him. 'Uwaimir said: By Allah, I will not rest until I have asked him about it. 'Uwaimir proceeded until he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as he was sitting amidst people, and said: Messenger of Allah, tell me about a person who found a man with his wife. Should he kill him, and then you would kill him, or how should he act? Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: (Verses) have been revealed concerning you and your wife; so go and bring her. Sahl said that they both invoked curses (and further said): I was along with people in the company of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). And when they had finished, Uwaimir said: Allah's Messenger, I shall have told a lie against her if I keep her (now). So he divorced her with three pronouncements before Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had commanded him. Ibn Shihab said: Subsequently that was the practice of invokers of curses (al Mutala'inain)
The Book of Invoking Curses - Sahih Muslim 1492a
This narration from Sahih Muslim details the procedure of li'an (mutual imprecation) established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for spouses in cases of unproven adultery allegations without witnesses.
Contextual Analysis
The companion 'Uwaimir al-'Ajlani approached the Prophet ﷺ regarding finding another man with his wife. Rather than taking violent action, divine revelation provided the regulated process of li'an.
This incident demonstrates Islam's commitment to due process and preventing vigilante justice, even in emotionally charged situations.
Legal Rulings Derived
Li'an serves as judicial testimony when adultery is suspected but not witnessed by four qualified witnesses. Both spouses swear oaths invoking Allah's curse upon themselves if lying.
The procedure results in automatic divorce and prevents hadd punishment for zina. The child's lineage is denied from the husband if li'an occurs.
As demonstrated by 'Uwaimir, divorce becomes immediately effective upon completion of li'an without requiring additional pronouncements.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars note this incident established li'an as permanent Sunnah. Imam al-Nawawi states it provides legal resolution while preventing false accusations.
Ibn Qudamah emphasizes li'an's gravity - it involves swearing by Allah's greatest attributes and inviting divine wrath if testifying falsely.
The procedure protects family honor while upholding Islamic evidential standards, balancing individual rights with social stability.