"Verily Allah sent Muhammad (ﷺ) with the truth, and he revealed the Book to him. Among what was revealed to him was the Ayah of stoning. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stoned, and we stoned after him. I fear that time will pass over the people such that someone will say 'We do not see stoning in the Book of Allah.' They will be misguided by leaving an obligation which Allah revealed. Indeed stoning is the retribution for the adulterer if he was married and the evidence has been established, or due to pregnancy, or confession."
The Book on Legal Punishments (Al-Hudud)
Jami' at-Tirmidhi - Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1432
Hadith Text
"Verily Allah sent Muhammad (ﷺ) with the truth, and he revealed the Book to him. Among what was revealed to him was the Ayah of stoning. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stoned, and we stoned after him. I fear that time will pass over the people such that someone will say 'We do not see stoning in the Book of Allah.' They will be misguided by leaving an obligation which Allah revealed. Indeed stoning is the retribution for the adulterer if he was married and the evidence has been established, or due to pregnancy, or confession."
Commentary on Divine Revelation
This narration establishes that stoning (rajm) was indeed revealed by Allah as part of the Shariah, though its specific verse was not preserved in the Quranic compilation. The Prophet's implementation and the companions' continuation confirm its divine origin, demonstrating that Islamic law comprises both Quranic revelation and prophetic practice.
Conditions for Stoning
The hadith specifies three conditions for implementing stoning: 1) The adulterer must be muhsan (married and having had lawful sexual relations), 2) Evidence must be established through either the testimony of four righteous witnesses or 3) Through confession by the perpetrator themselves. Pregnancy of an unmarried woman can also serve as evidence when accompanied by other corroborating circumstances.
Warning Against Neglect
The companion's fear of future generations denying this punishment emphasizes the danger of rejecting established sunnah based solely on Quranic text. This reflects the principle that the Sunnah explains and complements the Quran, and both sources constitute divine revelation that Muslims must accept and implement.
Legal Distinction
Islamic jurisprudence distinguishes between the punishment for married adulterers (stoning) and unmarried fornicators (one hundred lashes). This differentiation recognizes the greater sanctity of marriage and the more severe breach of trust involved in marital infidelity compared to illicit relations between unmarried individuals.