"The first Li'an in Islam was when Hilal bin Umayyah accused Sharik bin As-Sahma' (of committing adultery) with his wife. He came to the Prophet and told him about that. The Prophet said: '(Bring) four witnesses, otherwise (you will feel) the Hadd punishment on your back.' And he repeated that several times. Hilal said to him: 'By Allah, O Messenger of Allah! Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, knows that I am telling the truth, and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will certainly reveal to you that which will spare my back from the whip.' While they were like that, the Verse of Li'an was revealed to him: 'As to those who accuse their wives.' He called Hilal and he bore witness four times by Allah that he was telling the truth, and the fifth time he invoked the curse of Allah upon him if he were lying. Then he called the woman and she bore witness four times by Allah that he was lying. When it came to the fourth or fifth time, the Messenger of Allah said: 'Stop her, for it will inevitably bring the punishment of Allah upon the liar.' She hesitated until we thought that she was going to confess, then she said: 'I will not dishonor my people today.' Then she went ahead with the oath. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Wait and see. If she produces a child who is white, with straight hair and Qadiy'a eyes, then he belongs to Hilal bin Umayyah, but if she produces a child who is dark with curly hair, of average size and with narrow calves, then he belongs to Sharik bin As-Sahma'.' She produced a child who was dark with curly hair, of average size and with narrow calves. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Had not the matter been settled by the Book of Allah, I would have punished her severely.'"
The Book of Divorce - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3469
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i details the first case of Li'an (mutual imprecation) in Islamic history, establishing the legal procedure for spouses when adultery is alleged without witnesses.
Contextual Analysis
Hilal bin Umayyah's case represents a critical moment in Islamic jurisprudence where divine revelation provided a solution for marital disputes involving unproven adultery allegations.
The Prophet's initial insistence on four witnesses reflects the standard evidentiary requirement for hadd punishments, protecting individuals from false accusations.
Legal Procedure of Li'an
The husband swears four times to the truth of his accusation, with a fifth oath invoking Allah's curse if lying.
The wife subsequently swears four times to her innocence, with a fifth oath invoking Allah's wrath if the husband is truthful.
This mutual imprecation results in automatic divorce and prevents hadd punishment for either party.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars note that Li'an serves as both a legal remedy and divine test - resolving disputes while leaving ultimate judgment to Allah.
The Prophet's intervention during the wife's oath demonstrates the gravity of false testimony and concern for preventing divine punishment.
The child's physical description serving as circumstantial evidence shows Islam's practical approach to resolving complex marital disputes.
Juridical Significance
This hadith establishes Li'an as a legitimate Islamic procedure that balances marital rights, protects reputations, and prevents unjust punishments.
The final ruling emphasizes that once divine legislation is established, even prophets cannot override Allah's decrees.