Ḥadd for a Bondwoman: Without Exile
By: Imrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
❖ Evidence
Abū Hurayrah (RA):
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
“Idhā zanat al-amatu fatabayyana zanāhā falyajlid’hā wa lā yutharrib. Fa-in zanat falyajlid’hā wa lā yutharrib. Fa-in zanat al-thālithah falyabʿahā wa law bi-ḥablin min shaʿr.”
“When a bondwoman commits zinā and her zinā is established, flog her and do not reproach her. If she commits it again, flog her and do not reproach her. If she does it a third time, then sell her, even for a rope of hair.”
[al-Bukhārī: 6839, Kitāb al-Ḥudūd: Bāb Lā Yutharrab ʿalā al-Amati idhā Zanāt wa Lā Tunfā]
Conclusion
- In this ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ prescribed only flogging as the ḥadd for a bondwoman, without the punishment of exile (jilāwatan).
- Thus, unlike free persons guilty of zinā, a bondwoman is punished only with lashes, not banishment.
