A Hadith on averting corporal punishment (hadd)

Question

What is the authenticity of the following narration?

“Avert the infliction of prescribed penalties on Muslims as much as you can, and if there is any way out, let a man go, for it is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.”

 

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded the Hadith in question on the authority of Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) with a very weak chain.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1424)

 

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) then sates that the correct version of this narration, reported with a reliable chain attributes this statement to Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) –mawqufan– and not to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) and others have also expressed similar opinions.

(Refer: As Sunanul Kubra, vol. 8 pg. 238)

 

Averting corporal punishment when in doubt has been authentically reported as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). See here for more.

 

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar