Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A‘zami (رحمه الله)
Once a Hadd (prescribed punishment) reaches the Shari'ah ruler and is established with appropriate and conclusive evidence, then enforcing it becomes obligatory, and by consensus, repentance alone does not nullify the implementation of the Hadd.
A woman from the tribe of Ghamid approached the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after repenting and requested that the prescribed punishment be carried out on her. Regarding her, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"She has repented in such a manner that if the people of Madinah had repented like her, it would have sufficed for them."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1695/23]
Despite her sincere repentance, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) enforced the Hadd upon her.
This enforcement is the sole responsibility of the ruler (Sultan); no one else is permitted to carry it out. However, as long as the matter has not reached the ruler, a Muslim should remain concealed under the veil of Allah’s covering, and perform sincere repentance. It is hoped that Allah may accept his repentance.
[اللجنة الدائمة: 9000]
❖ Repentance Does Not Prevent the Enforcement of Hudood
Once a Hadd (prescribed punishment) reaches the Shari'ah ruler and is established with appropriate and conclusive evidence, then enforcing it becomes obligatory, and by consensus, repentance alone does not nullify the implementation of the Hadd.
A woman from the tribe of Ghamid approached the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after repenting and requested that the prescribed punishment be carried out on her. Regarding her, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"She has repented in such a manner that if the people of Madinah had repented like her, it would have sufficed for them."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1695/23]
Despite her sincere repentance, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) enforced the Hadd upon her.
This enforcement is the sole responsibility of the ruler (Sultan); no one else is permitted to carry it out. However, as long as the matter has not reached the ruler, a Muslim should remain concealed under the veil of Allah’s covering, and perform sincere repentance. It is hoped that Allah may accept his repentance.
[اللجنة الدائمة: 9000]
