Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Whoever repents should conceal the sin, and when a man mentioned committing adultery with his wife's slave-girl, he said: Repent, buy her and set her free, and reward your wife for this good deed."
Hadith Referenceسنن سعید بن منصور / كتاب الطلاق / 3442
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده ضعيف
Hadith Takhrij«إسناده ضعيف، وأخرجه سعيد بن منصور فى «سننه» ترقيم الدرالسلفية برقم:، 2265، وابن أبى شيبة فى «مصنفه» برقم: 29138»
Brief Explanation
Reason for weakness: Mujalid bin Sa’id — who is weak in memorization, but the story is in accordance with fiqh and reason, and is also supported by other reports.
Fiqhi points: Intercourse with the wife’s slave-girl: If it is without permission, it is forbidden, but not adultery (zina). Here, the wife brought witnesses and gifted the slave-girl to the husband, so that she would come into his ownership (milk yameen).
Advising repentance: Ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu did not establish the hadd (legal punishment). He maintained concealment (satar) and ordered repentance and reform.
Freeing the slave-girl: This can be an expiation for the sin.
Reward for the wife’s goodness: Moral and faith-based teaching: Show kindness to the one who saved you from disgrace.