29/6. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1703a — Zina Ruling for a Slave-Woman
Stoning Jews and Ahl Adh-Dhimmah for Zina
Slave Woman Zina Hadith: Clear Hadd Without Reproach
Sahih Muslim : 1703a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1703a
وَحَدَّثَنِي عِيسَى بْنُ حَمَّادٍ الْمِصْرِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِذَا زَنَتْ أَمَةُ أَحَدِكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنَ زِنَاهَا فَلْيَجْلِدْهَا الْحَدَّ وَلاَ يُثَرِّبْ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ إِنْ زَنَتْ فَلْيَجْلِدْهَا الْحَدَّ وَلاَ يُثَرِّبْ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ إِنْ زَنَتِ الثَّالِثَةَ فَتَبَيَّنَ زِنَاهَا فَلْيَبِعْهَا وَلَوْ بِحَبْلٍ مِنْ شَعَرٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: When the slave-woman of any of you commits adultery and this (offence of hers) becomes clear, she should be flogged (as the prescribed) punishment, but hurl no reproach at her. If she commits adultery again, she should (again be punished) by flogging, but hurl no reproach upon her. If she commits fornication for the third time and it becomes clear, then he should sell her, even if only for a rope of hair.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1703aIn-book reference : Book 29, Hadith 48USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 17, Hadith 4219
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1703a
This slave woman zina hadith gives a direct rule for a case where the offence is proven. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that if a slave-woman commits adultery and it becomes clear, she is to be flogged as the prescribed punishment. The hadith also says not to reproach her after the punishment. This is an important point in the text: the punishment is carried out, but blame and insults are not added after it. If the act is repeated, the same rule is applied again. When it happens for the third time and becomes clear, the owner is told to sell her, even for something small like a rope of hair. The core lesson is legal action with restraint, not endless shaming.
What we learn from this hadith
- A proven offence is treated with the prescribed punishment, not with personal anger.
- After the punishment, reproach and repeated blame should not be added.
- Repeated proven wrongdoing may lead to a practical change, such as sale in this case.
