Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalaamu Alaikum,

Dear brother,

Could you please let us know the punishment of adultery for both man and women in Islam? Is it true that women get severer punishment as compared to man?

Jazak Allah,

Your brother,

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Answer:

Punishment for zina adultery

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Could you please let us know the punishment of adultery for both man and women in Islam?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah Noor verse 2:

2 The woman and the man guilty of ‘zina’ (fornication) flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let not compassion move you in their case in a matter prescribed by Allah if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the believers witness their punishment.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.810 Narrated by Jabir

A man from the tribe of Aslam came to the Prophet (saws) and confessed that he had committed adultery (illegal sexual intercourse). The Prophet (saws) turned his face away from him till the man bore witness against himself four times. The Prophet (saws) said to him, "Are you mad?" He said "No." The Prophet (saws) asked, "Are you married?" He said, "Yes." Then the Prophet (saws) ordered that he be stoned to death, and he was stoned to death at the Musalla (public gathering place).

The prescribed punishment for the sin of ‘zina’ in Shariah depends on the marital status of the person convicted of the crime in a court of law:

1. Fornication: If the man or the woman who is guilty of ‘zina’ (fornication) is unmarried, Shariah Law prescribes a punishment for a 100 lashes in public.
2. Adultery: If the man or the woman who is guilty of ‘zina’ (adultery) is married, Shariah Law prescribes that the guilty should be stoned to death in public.

Your Question: Is it true that women get severer punishment as compared to man?

The punishment of one convicted for the crime of ‘zina’ in a Shariah Court, regardless of whether it is adultery or fornication, is exactly the same for a man and a woman.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan