19/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1497c — Evidence Before Punishment
Chapter
Li'an Hadith and the Need for Evidence
Sahih Muslim : 1497c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1497c
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِعَمْرٍو - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ، عُيَيْنَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ شَدَّادٍ وَذُكِرَ الْمُتَلاَعِنَانِ عِنْدَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ فَقَالَ ابْنُ شَدَّادٍ أَهُمَا اللَّذَانِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَوْ كُنْتُ رَاجِمًا أَحَدًا بِغَيْرِ بَيِّنَةٍ لَرَجَمْتُهَا " . فَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ لاَ تِلْكَ امْرَأَةٌ أَعْلَنَتْ . قَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ فِي رِوَايَتِهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ .
Abdullah b Shaddad reported that mention was made about the invokers of curses before Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them). Ibn Shaddad said: Are these the two about whom Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said." If I were to stone one without evidence, I would have definitely stoned her"? Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) said: She is not this woman; but she is the one who (committed adultery) openly.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1497cIn-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 18USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 9, Hadith 3568
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1497c
This Hadith reports that the invokers of curses were mentioned before Ibn 'Abbas. 'Abdullah b. Shaddad asked whether they were the two about whom the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that if he were to stone anyone without evidence, he would have stoned her. Ibn 'Abbas answered no. He explained that the woman in that statement was someone else, described in the narration as one who acted openly. The main lesson of this Hadith is careful distinction between cases. It keeps the li'an case separate from another report. It also highlights the meaning of evidence, because the Prophet's statement itself mentions not stoning without evidence.
What we learn from this hadith
- Different reports should not be mixed together without care.
- Ibn 'Abbas clarified that the li'an case was not the same as the other woman mentioned.
- The wording points to the need for evidence before punishment.
- The narration warns against assuming that two similar reports are the same event.
