Adultery and Its Consequences
Adultery is strictly prohibited in Sharia law. If two individuals commit adultery, they must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah. However, if the act becomes public knowledge, the prescribed punishment is stoning. In cases where adultery becomes widespread, stricter measures, including the death penalty, may be implemented to protect societal values.
Qur’an and Hadith Reference:
Sahih Muslim 1498 b
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Sa’d b. Ubada (Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah, if I were to find with my wife a man, should I wait until I bring four witnesses? He said: Yes.
The Requirement of Four Witnesses in Adultery Cases (Sahih Muslim 1498b)
This hadith from Sahih Muslim 1498b emphasizes the strict requirement of four witnesses to prove adultery, ensuring that false accusations are prevented and justice is upheld in Islamic law. The Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed to Sa’d bin Ubada that even if a man personally witnesses his wife committing adultery, he must bring four witnesses before any legal action can be taken.
Alternative Resolutions Instead of Punishment
Since adultery (zina) is a personal sin rather than a crime like rape (which involves coercion and harm), Islamic teachings provide ways to resolve such cases without immediate punishment:
1. Encouraging Repentance:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) often advised sinners to repent sincerely rather than confess their sins publicly.
- Example: A man came to the Prophet confessing adultery multiple times, but the Prophet ignored him at first, giving him a chance to repent privately. (Sahih Muslim 1695a)
2. Doubt Prevents Punishment:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Avoid legal punishments as much as you can if there is any doubt.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 2545)
- If the crime is not established with clear proof, punishment is not enforced, and repentance is encouraged.
3. Personal Resolution (Divorce or Reconciliation):
- If a spouse suspects infidelity but cannot bring four witnesses, they can seek divorce rather than making accusations.
- The Qur’an allows Li’an (mutual cursing oath) where a husband and wife swear against each other in Allah’s name, leading to divorce but no punishment if proof is lacking. (Qur’an 24:6-9)
The Hadith of the Man Who Confessed Adultery Multiple Times (Sahih Muslim 1695a)
This hadith further clarifies Islam’s approach to justice and mercy regarding adultery cases.
Sahih Muslim 1695a
Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (RA): A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed adultery.” The Prophet turned away from him. The man came back and repeated, “I have committed adultery.” The Prophet again turned away. This happened four times
After the fourth time, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked:
- “Are you insane?”
- “Are you intoxicated?”
When the man confirmed that he was neither insane nor intoxicated and was fully aware of his actions, the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered the punishment to be carried out.
Qur’an 24:2
“The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each one of them with a hundred stripes…”
The Quran confirms the punishment of stoning when these matters are clear and proven. If a man and woman commit adultery by mistake, it does not mean they should make it public. It’s not a mistake, they made a choice. Trying to make it public only spreads more immorality. That’s why, in such cases, this verse applies.
Do Not Abuse Allah’s Mercy
It’s crucial to understand: Islam does not allow a person to keep committing such sins while thinking, “I will just ask for forgiveness later.” Forgiveness is only granted when a sin is done ignorantly or unintentionally, and the person repents sincerely right after.
📖Quran 4:17
Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil ignorantly or carelessly and then repent soon after. It is they to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
True repentance means regret, stopping the sin, and having no intention to return to it. Deliberately planning to sin, thinking you can just “ask forgiveness later,” is hypocrisy and not accepted by Allah. Mercy is for those who genuinely fall into sin by mistake, not for those who make sin a habit.
Why It’s Dangerous and Wrong to Enjoy Sin?
1️⃣ Breakdown of Trust:
Adultery (or any betrayal like it) destroys the foundation of trust in relationships, whether it’s marriage, friendship, or community. Even if you ask for forgiveness later, the damage to trust is real and often permanent. Studies in psychology confirm that betrayal trauma can cause long-term emotional scars, anxiety, and depression for the victims.
2️⃣ Creates a Habit:
Neuroscience proves that repeated behaviors shape your brain. The more you “enjoy” and repeat a wrongful act, the stronger the habit becomes. Even if you promise yourself you’ll stop, your brain’s reward system pushes you back into it. So thinking, “I’ll enjoy it now and quit later” is a trap, you’re making it harder to quit.
3️⃣ Corrupts Society:
If everyone starts thinking this way (“It’s fine, I’ll just repent later”), the whole moral fabric of society breaks down. Imagine a world where everyone lies, cheats, or betrays because they believe they can just apologize afterward, nothing remains trustworthy or stable. Crime rises, families break, and chaos spreads. History shows that civilizations decline when moral decay becomes normalized.
4️⃣ You Can’t Reverse Consequences:
Even if you seek forgiveness (from God or others), the real-world consequences stay. A person might get an STD, a child might be born out of wedlock, a family might be destroyed, these things can’t be undone by just saying “sorry.” Thinking you can erase consequences is wishful thinking, not reality.
5️⃣ Self-Respect Declines:
Engaging in wrong actions and relying on future “forgiveness” weakens your personal integrity. Every time you choose wrong, you’re silently telling yourself that your values don’t really matter. Over time, this kills self-respect, which is key for mental strength and peace.
In Simple Terms:
- It hurts others.
- It traps you in bad habits.
- It wrecks society if everyone does it.
- It leaves permanent damage.
- It destroys your own self-worth.
That’s why, logically and with real-world evidence, it’s completely wrong to think you can enjoy wrongdoing and just “fix it” later. Actions have natural consequences that no apology can erase.
The Illusion of ‘We Will Marry Later
False Assumption of Future Marriage:
You might think you’ll marry the same person after committing zina, but life doesn’t always go the way you plan. Many people end up breaking up after one-time enjoyment because:
- Guilt or shame: After crossing the line, either partner may feel guilty, embarrassed, or lose respect for the other, making marriage impossible.
- Family rejection: Even if you’re ready to marry, many families reject a marriage once they learn it started with an immoral act.
- Loss of attraction: Research in human psychology shows that the excitement often fades quickly after fulfilling physical desires, and people move on, leaving behind emotional harm.
- Mistrust: One or both partners might fear: “If they did this before, what if they cheat in the future too?”
Research from the University of Denver indicated that living together before engagement can decrease a couple’s odds of a successful marriage. Their findings suggest that 34% of marriages ended among those who lived together before being engaged, compared to 23% among couples who waited until after engagement or marriage to cohabit. University of Denver
In Simple Words:
Even if you think marriage will follow, it often doesn’t. What seemed like a “future wife/husband” easily turns into just a past mistake, and both people end up with emotional scars, damaged reputations, and broken trust, So logic proves: it’s risky, short-sighted, and damaging even when your intention was marriage, because intentions don’t guarantee the outcome.
📖Quran 24:21
“O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows the footsteps of Satan – indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoings. And if it were not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, none of you would have been pure, but Allah purifies whom He wills. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.”
This verse is not referring only to Iblis (Satan) himself, but to his influence alongside humans when his whispers lead them down that path. They invite you in that direction.
📖Quran 17:32
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.