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Ḥadd al-zinā

The prescribed punishment for fornication, the qadhf (false accusation) ḥadd, and related rulings.

These verses are grouped by theme as a starting point — not as standalone rulings. A verse takes on its full meaning only in context: the verses before and after, the occasion of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl) and the explanation of the scholars. So read each verse in full via the tafsir, and consult a qualified scholar when in doubt.

Related ayat

  1. 24:2

    ٱلزَّانِيَةُ وَٱلزَّانِى فَٱجْلِدُوا۟ كُلَّ وَٰحِدٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا مِا۟ئَةَ جَلْدَةٍۢ ۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُم بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌۭ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

    A hundred lashes for the zānī and zāniya — no compassion in Allah's religion. Witnesses present.

  2. 17:32

    وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا

    Do not approach zinā — it is an abomination and an evil way.

  3. 24:4

    وَٱلَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ ٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا۟ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَٱجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَٰنِينَ جَلْدَةًۭ وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا۟ لَهُمْ شَهَٰدَةً أَبَدًۭا ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ

    Qadhf-ḥadd: eighty lashes for accusing chaste women without four witnesses; testimony no longer accepted.

  4. 4:15

    وَٱلَّٰتِى يَأْتِينَ ٱلْفَٰحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ فَٱسْتَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةًۭ مِّنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا۟ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىٰ يَتَوَفَّىٰهُنَّ ٱلْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًۭا

    Earlier ruling: women who committed zinā — confine in houses until death or Allah makes a way for them.