That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whomever you find doing the actions of the people of Lut then kill the one doing it, and the one it is done to."
The Book on Legal Punishments (Al-Hudud)
Jami' at-Tirmidhi - Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1456
Textual Analysis
This hadith establishes the capital punishment for the act of sodomy (liwat), which the Shari'ah considers among the most heinous crimes against the natural order (fitrah) established by Allah.
The phrase "actions of the people of Lut" refers specifically to homosexual sodomy, drawing a direct parallel to the people of Prophet Lut (AS) who were destroyed by Allah for this very practice.
Legal Ruling and Conditions
The consensus of classical scholars is that both active and passive participants in this act are subject to capital punishment when proven through proper Islamic legal procedure.
The punishment requires either: 1) confession repeated four times, or 2) the testimony of four upright Muslim male witnesses who directly observed the actual act of penetration.
Scholars differ regarding the method of execution, with opinions including stoning, burning, throwing from a height, or destruction of the building upon the perpetrators.
Wisdom and Objectives
This severe punishment serves to protect society's moral fabric and preserve the natural procreative function of marriage.
The ruling emphasizes the gravity of transgressing Allah's natural laws and serves as a deterrent against moral corruption spreading in society.
Implementation requires a legitimate Islamic authority and proper judicial process to ensure justice and prevent misuse.