⪼ Confession of a Zānī (Fornicator) Himself Before the Prophet ﷺ ⪻
❖ Reference:
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2815, 6825 — Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1691
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
A Muslim man approached the Prophet ﷺ in the Masjid, declaring four times: "O Messenger of Allah, I have committed zinā." The Prophet ﷺ turned away each time until he had repeated his confession four times. Upon this, the Prophet ﷺ inquired whether the man was insane or intoxicated, both of which he denied. Upon confirmation that he was married, the Prophet ﷺ ordered that he be taken and stoned to death.
➊ High Moral Consciousness in the Prophetic Era:
Zānīs came forward themselves seeking punishment for their crime without being forced. This shows their deep fear of Allah and desire for purification.
➋ Establishing the Ḥadd via Confession:
Confession repeated four times by the individual is sufficient evidence to carry out the ḥadd punishment.
➌ Conditions for Implementation of Ḥadd:
The person must be:
➍ Rajm Is Not Accompanied by Lashing:
If the zānī is muḥṣan (married), then only rajm (stoning) is applied—no lashes are added.
➎ Purpose of Ḥadd in Islam:
❖ Reference:
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2815, 6825 — Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1691
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
Hadith Summary
A Muslim man approached the Prophet ﷺ in the Masjid, declaring four times: "O Messenger of Allah, I have committed zinā." The Prophet ﷺ turned away each time until he had repeated his confession four times. Upon this, the Prophet ﷺ inquired whether the man was insane or intoxicated, both of which he denied. Upon confirmation that he was married, the Prophet ﷺ ordered that he be taken and stoned to death.
Key Learnings and Reflections
➊ High Moral Consciousness in the Prophetic Era:Zānīs came forward themselves seeking punishment for their crime without being forced. This shows their deep fear of Allah and desire for purification.
➋ Establishing the Ḥadd via Confession:
Confession repeated four times by the individual is sufficient evidence to carry out the ḥadd punishment.
➌ Conditions for Implementation of Ḥadd:
The person must be:
- Sane and not mentally ill.
- Mature (Bāligh) and legally accountable.
- Not intoxicated at the time of confession.
- Married, for the punishment of rajm specifically.
➍ Rajm Is Not Accompanied by Lashing:
If the zānī is muḥṣan (married), then only rajm (stoning) is applied—no lashes are added.
➎ Purpose of Ḥadd in Islam:
- It serves as a purification and expiation for the sinner.
- It deters others and maintains moral integrity in society.
- It’s based strictly on Qur’ānic and Prophetic injunctions.
