Saeed bin Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him) says that during the caliphate of Abdullah bin Zubair (may Allah be pleased with them both), I was asked about the case of the *Mutala‘ineen* (husband and wife who accuse each other of adultery): Should separation be enforced between them? I did not know what answer to give, so I got up from my house and went to the house of Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). I asked: Abu Abdur Rahman! Should separation be enforced between the *Mutala‘ineen* (husband and wife)? He said: Subhan Allah! Yes! The first to ask about this was so-and-so, he said: O Messenger of Allah! Tell me, if a man sees his wife committing adultery, what should he do? If he speaks, it is a grave matter; if he remains silent, it is also serious. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not give him any answer. The next day, that man came and said: The matter I asked you about, I have now been afflicted by it. So Allah, the Exalted, revealed this verse from Surah An-Nur: “And those who accuse their wives... and the fifth [testimony] should be that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he is among the truthful.” (An-Nur: 6)
Hadith Referenceالمنتقى ابن الجارود / كتاب الطلاق / 752