Definition and Ruling of the Dayyūth
Author: Imran Ayub Lahori
❖ Ruling on the Dayyūth
Although a Dayyūth is counted among the gravest sinners, there is no explicit text (naṣṣ) prescribing his execution. Therefore, he is not to be killed, especially in light of the hadith:
«لا يحل دم امرئ إلا بإحدى ثلاث …»
"The blood of a Muslim is not lawful except in three cases: life for life, a married adulterer, and one who abandons his religion and separates from the community."
[Bukhārī: 6878, Kitāb al-Diyāt: Bāb Qawl Allāh Taʿālā: al-nafs bi al-nafs; Muslim: 1676]
❖ Definition of Dayyūth
هو الذى لا غيرة له على أهله
"The Dayyūth is the one who has no sense of honor (ghayrah) regarding his family."
[Ḥāshiyat al-Sindī ʿalā al-Nasā’ī 2/80/1; al-Sayl al-Jarrār 4/373; al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah 2/636]
❖ Conclusion
- A Dayyūth is a man who lacks protective jealousy and does not care about the modesty and chastity of his family.
- He is among the major sinners (kabāʾir).
- No execution is prescribed for him, since the Sharīʿah has only allowed execution in three specific cases: murder, adultery by a married person, and apostasy.
