52/21. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 2671 — Witnesses
If someone claims something or accuses somebody he should be given respite to get evidence
Sahih Bukhari : 2671
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 2671
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ هِلاَلَ بْنَ أُمَيَّةَ، قَذَفَ امْرَأَتَهُ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِشَرِيكِ بْنِ سَحْمَاءَ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْبَيِّنَةُ أَوْ حَدٌّ فِي ظَهْرِكَ ". فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِذَا رَأَى أَحَدُنَا عَلَى امْرَأَتِهِ رَجُلاً يَنْطَلِقُ يَلْتَمِسُ الْبَيِّنَةَ فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ " الْبَيِّنَةَ وَإِلاَّ حَدٌّ فِي ظَهْرِكَ ". فَذَكَرَ حَدِيثَ اللِّعَانِ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Hilal bin Umaiya accused his wife before the Prophet (ﷺ) of committing illegal sexual intercourse with Sharik bin Sahma.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Produce a proof, or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." Hilal said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! If anyone of us saw another man over his wife, would he go to search for a proof." The Prophet (ﷺ) went on saying, "Produce a proof or else you would get the legal punishment (by being lashed) on your back." The Prophet (ﷺ) then mentioned the narration of Lian (as in the Holy Book). (Surat-al-Nur: 24)
[1] Literally, Li‘ān means cursing, legally it means an oath by which a husband claims that his wife has committed illegal sexual intercourse. The wife in her turn denies the accusation and takes a similar oath. In both oaths Allāh is invoked to curse the liar. The case ends with divorce but no punishment is imposed on any of the two because there are no witnesses to confirm the accusation.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2671In-book reference : Book 52, Hadith 33USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 48, Hadith 837
