Book of Hudood
Instructions Regarding the Establishment of Hudood
① Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
حد يعمل فى الأرض خير لأهل الأرض من أن يمطروا ثلاثين صباحا
“Establishing a (legal) punishment in a land is better for its inhabitants than if it were to rain there for thirty days.”
② Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
مثل القائم فى حدود الله والواقع فيها كمثل قوم استهموا على سفينة فأصاب بعضهم أعلاها وبعضهم أسفلها فكان الذى فى أسفلها إذا استقوا من الماء مروا على من فوقهم فقالوا : لو أنا خرقنا فى نصيبنا خرقا ولم نؤذ من فوقنا . فإن تركوهم وما أرادوا هلكوا جميعا، وإن أخذوا على أيديهم نجوا ونجوا جميعا
“One who observes the limits set by Allah and one who transgresses them are like a people who cast lots for a ship. Some of them got the upper part and some got the lower part. When those in the lower part needed water, they would go to those in the upper part. They said: If we make a hole in our part, then we will not trouble those above us. If they allow them to carry out their plan, all will perish. And if they prevent them, then all will be saved.”
③ Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to say:
أقيلوا ذوي الهيئات عثراتهم إلا الحدود
“Forgive the slips of the people except those who commit the legal punishments.”
Imam Shafi’i رحمه الله said: “The people except those who commit legal punishments refers to those whose faults are not apparent.”
Instructions Regarding Lifting Punishments
① Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ادرءوا الحدود عن المسلمين ما استطعتم فإن كان له مخرج فخلوا سبيله فإن الإمام أن يخطئ فى العفو خير من أن يخطئ فى العقوبة
“Remove the punishments from Muslims as much as possible; if there is any room for leniency, leave that path. Because it is better to make a mistake in overlooking than to make a mistake in punishing.”
Instructions Regarding Whipping When a Slave Girl Commits Adultery
① Sayyidina Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
إذا زنت أمة أحدكم فتبين زناها فليجلدها الحد ولا يثرب عليها ثم إن زنت_ فليجلدها الحد ولا يثرب عليها ثم إن زنت الثالثة فتبين زناها فليبعها ولو بحبل من شعر
“When a slave girl among you commits adultery and her adultery becomes clear, then apply the punishment on her and do not disgrace her. Then if she commits adultery again, apply the punishment on her and do not disgrace her. And if she commits adultery a third time and her adultery becomes clear, then sell her even if you have to sell her for a rope to tie her hair.”
Punishment for Adultery
① Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم stoned a man from the Muslim tribe and a Jewish man and woman.
② Abu Ishaq al-Shaibani narrates that he asked Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abi Awfa رضي الله عنه whether the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم stoned. He said: Yes! He was asked whether this was before or after the revelation of Surah An-Nur. He replied: I do not know.
