Forgiveness for Legally Punishable Sin
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 6823
Narrated Anas bin Malik: While I was with the Prophet (ﷺ), a man came and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the legal punishment on me.” The Prophet (ﷺ) did not ask him what he had done. Then the time for the prayer became due and the man offered prayer along with the Prophet (ﷺ). When the Prophet (ﷺ) had finished his prayer, the man again got up and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! I have committed a legally punishable sin; please inflict the punishment on me according to Allah’s Laws.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Didn’t you pray with us?” He said, “Yes.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah has forgiven your sin.”
- Why wasn’t he punished?
- Was it favoritism?
- Was it only for Muslims?
- Is there a loophole in Islam?
Answer: No. The Prophet ﷺ followed Allah’s law. This wasn’t about skipping justice – it was about recognizing sincere repentance.
Why the Prophet didn’t punish him:
- The man confessed voluntarily, not caught or reported.
- In Islamic law, when someone confesses on their own, they have the right to take it back.
- Prophet ﷺ often turned away from such confessions to leave room for forgiveness.
- Prayer erased his sin.
- The Prophet ﷺ said this after prayer, quoting the Qur’an’s principle:
📖Quran 11:114
Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the early hours of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
- It was not a public crime requiring legal punishment.
- If it was theft, murder, or adultery proven with evidence, legal punishment applies.
- But here, the man only confessed without saying what the offense was.
- That gave the Prophet ﷺ the opportunity to teach mercy, not deliver a sentence.
What kind of offense could he have committed?
Some scholars mention:
Possibly a private, non-major sin, like an inappropriate act he deeply regretted.
In Sahih Muslim 2765, a man also committed an offense, came to the Prophet ﷺ, and the same verse was revealed, In Sunan Abi Dawud 4468, the same story is narrated with more detail – the man had contact with a woman but did not commit intercourse. He still came out of shame and asked for punishment. This supports the view that both hadiths are talking about the same person.
🔁 How do we know it’s the same man?
- Same story structure in Bukhari and Muslim:
A man confesses
The Prophet delays response until prayer
After prayer, the man repeats
Prophet says: Your sin is forgiven - No contradiction
- There’s no second man with the same scene but a different outcome.
💡 What can we learn today?
- Don’t rush to punish people if they are sincerely ashamed and changing.
- Prayer and repentance erase sins — take that path first.
- Islam is not just law – it’s mercy with law. Allah gave room to return.
- Not all sins need public shame and punishment. Some sins are between you and Allah – and He forgives.
📖Sahih Muslim 2657 a
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah has written for the son of Adam his portion of adultery which he will inevitably commit. The adultery of the eye is the (lustful) look; the adultery of the ears is listening (to voluptuous talk); the adultery of the tongue is speaking (of it); the adultery of the hand is touching; the adultery of the feet is walking (towards it); and the heart yearns and desires, and the private parts confirm or deny it.”
This hadith confirms that certain temptations are built into human nature – a lustful glance, listening to seductive speech or music, walking toward sin, or having desires in the heart – all of these are considered minor forms of adultery. They are spiritual warnings, and although they are not the major act of adultery itself, they are signs of the heart leaning toward it, Islam acknowledges that humans have natural desires, but still requires self-control and repentance. These minor sins – like a glance or a thought – are forgivable, especially if the person turns away and seeks Allah’s forgiveness.
This hadith teaches us:
- Temptation begins subtly: through the eyes, ears, tongue, etc.
- These acts are lesser sins but must be avoided.
- Allah is aware of our nature and tests our restraint.
- True adultery happens only when the act is carried out by the private parts.
- If one avoids acting on those desires, they are rewarded instead.
📖Sahih Muslim 2159a
I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the sudden glance (that is cast) on the face (of a non-Mahram). He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes.
This hadith confirms that even looking at women who are not your wife is not allowed. Why? Because a man doesn’t always know what thoughts may arise in his mind – and those thoughts can turn bad. Islam recognizes how men were designed with certain desires, but also gave clear commands: control yourself, Men are not animals. Just because you’re built with desires doesn’t mean you’re free to act however you want. This hadith directly addresses that: if you see a woman by accident -look away. Don’t stare. Don’t fantasize. Don’t abuse the moment, Some today try to downplay this, saying, “It’s not a big sin just to look.” But a God who created you wouldn’t command something unless it mattered. If your gaze was innocent and your heart clean, no issue. But if you’re knowingly looking with bad intent you’re disobeying a direct command, You were designed to be tested – and the command is clear. Control your eyes. Control your thoughts. Don’t blame your nature – rise above it.
📖Quran 33:59
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves part of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
In Islam, public modesty for women is emphasized, and certain guidelines govern their appearance, particularly in the presence of non-mahram (those who are not closely related). The concept of modesty in dress and behavior is central to maintaining both personal dignity and societal respect. This verse also highlights the protection of women from abuse. While human beings have free will, the guidance in the Qur’an aims to safeguard women from harm, encouraging them to take measures that can help prevent abuse. This is not to suggest that abuse is allowed in any form, but rather to ensure that women are protected from any potential harm in a world where not everyone adheres to moral guidelines.