𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (449)

Advice to One Who Has Committed Zina Question: A man committed adultery with his brother’s wife, though he himself is unmarried, and later repented sincerely to Allāh. What is required of him now? And should he inform his brother of what he did? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh: This matter arises due to the negligence of many people concerning Al-ḥamw (the husband’s relatives), who are close to the wife. And Allāh is the One whose help is sought. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of entering upon women.” A man from among the Anṣār said: “O Messenger of Allāh, what about the husband’s male relatives (Al-ḥamw)?” He replied: “The ḥamw is death.” [Agreed upon – narrated by ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir, may Allah be pleased with him] Imām An-Nawawī (may Allāh have mercy on him) explained: Al-ḥamw refers to the husband’s brother and similar relatives such as his cousin and others. Linguists agree that aḥmāʾ (singular: ḥamw) are the husband’s relatives — his father, uncle, brother, nephew, cousin, and the like. As for akhṭān, they are the wife’s relatives by marriage, while aṣ-hār refers to both sides collectively. The Prophet’s saying “the ḥamw is death” means that the danger and temptation from such a relative are greater than from a stranger, because he often has free access to the woman and can be alone with her without objection — unlike a stranger. The ḥamw referred to here excludes the husband’s father and sons, for they are maḥārim to the wife and may be in her presence. Rather, it refers to those like the husband’s brother, nephew, uncle, and cousin, who are not maḥārim but with whom people often take liberties. Hence, the Prophet ﷺ likened such situations to death — a severe warning indeed. Adultery is among the gravest of major sins — we seek refuge in Allah from it. It is one of the most heinous crimes after Shirk and murder. Allāh, the Exalted, says: “And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity, nor kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden, except by right, nor commit adultery — and whoever does that shall meet a penalty. The punishment will be multiplied for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated.” [Al-Furqān 25:68–69] In the two Ṣaḥīḥs, Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, “Which sin is greatest in the sight of Allāh?” He said: “That you set up a rival to Allāh while He created you.” I said, “That indeed is a grave matter.” I asked, “Then what next?” He said: “That you kill your child for fear that he will share food with you.” I said, “Then what next?” He said: “That you commit adultery with your neighbour's wife.” Then Allāh revealed: ‘And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity…’ [Al-Furqān 25:68] In another report (also in Al-Bukhārī and Muslim), Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allāh be pleased with them) said: Some people among the polytheists had committed many murders and acts of adultery. They came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “What you say and call to is good, but tell us — is there any expiation for what we have done?” Then Allah revealed: “And those who do not invoke with Allāh another deity, nor kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden except by right, nor commit adultery…” [Al-Furqān 25:68] And also: “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allāh.” [Az-Zumar 39:53] Whoever repents sincerely, Allāh accepts his repentance. As the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allāh accepts the repentance of whoever repents.” [Agreed upon, narrated by Anas, may Allāh be pleased with him] Part of sincere repentance is to avoid mixing with non-maḥram women, such as the wives of one’s brothers. Since the man has repented, he must now conceal his sin and not expose himself.