Nasai

(1) Some punishments are called "hudud" and some are called "ta'zir." Hudud are those punishments which are prescribed by Allah Ta'ala, whereas ta'zir refers to the punishment that a qadi (judge) or any responsible person can give at their own discretion, considering the nature of the crime and in order to prevent that crime. The meaning is that ta'zir is not prescribed by Allah Ta'ala. That is why there can be an increase or decrease in it. However, the purpose of enforcing both hudud and ta'zir is to prevent people from committing crimes. These punishments are given so that, seeing the fate of the criminal, others may take heed and refrain from crime.

(2) Generally, rain is needed everywhere and in every region, but in desert areas its need is many times greater. Arabia, which consists of a vast desert region, has an undeniable need for it; that is why the comparison is made with it.

(3) "It is better" because the enforcement of hudud creates peace, security, and tranquility in society, and also eliminates fighting, conflict, and bloodshed. The benefit of rain is temporary, but the benefit of hudud is lasting and permanent. Moreover, rain is only beneficial in this world, whereas the enforcement of hudud will also be beneficial in the Hereafter. What is the use of sustenance if life, wealth, and honor are not safe? In fact, abundance of sustenance sometimes becomes a danger to life and honor when there is no peace and security in society. Hudud are an alchemical prescription for safeguarding a person's life, wealth, and honor. Experience is the proof.

(4) "Thirty days" refers to abundance, as will be understood from the following hadith. Also, this is a hypothetical statement; otherwise, if it were to rain continuously for thirty days, it could become a cause of harm. However, in mountainous regions, continuous rain can also be beneficial, or it may mean rain at intervals, i.e., as needed. The special mention of rain is because the survival of earthly life depends on rain.

Benefits and Issues:

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By "hudud" (حد), what is meant are those specific punishments for certain crimes that have been prescribed by Allah, for example: the punishment for theft is the cutting of the hand, or the punishment for murder is retribution (qisas). There is no allowance for any increase or decrease in these. Apart from these, the punishments for other crimes are called "ta'zir" (تعزیر); in these, the judge (qadi) has discretion and may give an appropriate punishment according to the nature of the crime.

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The purpose of hudud and ta'zir is that others may take heed and refrain from such crimes; therefore, the enforcement of hudud establishes peace in society, and justice and security in the country become a cause for all kinds of blessings.

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Blessings have been likened to rain, which in the desert regions of Arabia is considered a great bounty and mercy.

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Our esteemed researcher has declared both of the aforementioned narrations to be weak, whereas Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah, on the basis of other supporting evidence, has graded them as hasan. See: (al-Sahihah, no. 231)