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بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ للّٰهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلىَ اَشْرَفِ اْللأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ سَيِّدِناَ وَمَوْلٰنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى اٰلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ، اَمَّا بَعْدُ.
Who was Hilal bin Umayyah? What is the history of his childhood and youth? If he converted to Islam, declared monotheism, and believed in the apostleship of the Prophet Muhammad? Nobody knows.
Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه was one of three companions left behind from the Tabuk war, who confessed his sins. His repentance was postponed for 50 days until Allah forgave him with Surah Taubah verses 117 – 118. The other two people were Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه and Murarah bin Rabiرضي الله عنه '.
[Allah has certainly turned in mercy to the Prophet as well as the Emigrants and the Helpers who stood by him in the time of hardship after the hearts of a group of them had almost faltered. He then accepted their repentance. Surely He is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to them.A nd ˹Allah has also turned in mercy to˺ the three who had remained behind, ˹whose guilt distressed them˺ until the earth, despite its vastness, seemed to close in on them, and their souls were torn in anguish. They knew there was no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them in mercy so that they might repent. Surely Allah ˹alone˺ is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.]
{Surah Taubah: Ayat 117-118]
Al-Quranul Karim has immortalized his name in two places. First, when Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه did not participate in the Tabuk War. Second, when Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه accused his wife of Zina with Syarik bin Samha'.
However, why didn't he join the Tabuk War? What caused him not to take part in the war that the Muhammad Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ took part in? The answer is what we want to explain simply.
One day, Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ ordered his friends to prepare to attack the Roman-occupied areas in the land of Syam{Syria}. At that time, many people lived in hardship, and a drought gripped almost the entire population.
At that time, Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was already preparing to bring the provisions needed for the long journey and the hostile air. Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ has also ordered rich people to bear the burden of their less fortunate brothers in participating in the war in the way of Allahﷻ.
Many rich people did not hesitate to give up their wealth to fulfill Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ's orders, including Saiyyidina Uthman bin Affan رضي الله عنه. whose contribution was not small, so Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ prayed for him, "O Allah, bless Uthman. In fact, I feel sorry for him."
A group of poor Muslims from the Ansar and others came to Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to ask them to join the war at the expense of Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ stated with sadness,
“I can't vouch for you.”
They returned disappointed their tears flowed profusely because they did not have provisions that they could support.
Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and several of his followers left for the battlefield of Tabuk, while a group of other Muslims were still in doubt and were left far behind. They include: Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه bin Abi Ka'ab from Bani Salamah, Murarah bin Rabi'رضي الله عنه from Bani Amru bin Aufرضي الله عنه, Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه from Bani Salim bin Auf, and Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه from Bani Waqif.
They are Muslims whose Islam is not in doubt.
A few days after the departure of Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه returned home to meet his two wives, it turned out that both of them had prepared themselves to welcome his arrival in two tents. His favorite food and drinks are also prepared there.
After he entered his tent and saw his two wives and what had been prepared for him, then he returned to the tent door and said to himself, "The Messenger of Allahﷻ was under the hot sun and facing the desert wind, while Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه was between two beautiful women, in the shade, eating and drinking enough. By Allahﷻ, I will not enter your tent before I go after the group of Muhammad Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ."
Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه then ordered his two wives to prepare provisions for the trip and both of them obeyed.
Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه rode his horse to Tabuk and arrived there sometime after Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. arrived in Tabuk.
From a distance, the Muslims saw someone riding his horse at high speed towards their place. Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. then said,
"I'm sure, he's Abu Khaithamah!"
After Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه arrived among them, they cheered and said, "O Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, by Allah, there is no mistake, he is Abu Khaithamah!"
After tethering his horse, he said sallam and approached Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, then Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ said to him, "Your attitude is very right, O Abu Khaithamah!"
Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه told Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ about his inner turmoil from beginning to end, then Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ prayed for him so that he would always obtain the virtues he hoped for.
That was the determination and spirit of Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه, but why did Hilal bin Umayyah رضي الله عنه. not do what his friend did?
According to history from several reliable sources, he was pious and pious. Abu Khaithamahرضي الله عنه loved Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and always obeyed his orders diligently.
Could circumstances prevent him from going and doing something like that?
According to historical sources, at that time he had property and vehicles, and he had no business or reason to go to the Battle of Tabuk together with Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
After Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ returned from the Battle of Tabuk, the first order given to the Muslims was,
"Don't talk to the three people who didn't go to Tabuk!"
They are Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه, Murarah ibnur-Rabiرضي الله عنه , and Hilal bin Umayyah.رضي الله عنه .
Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه asked someone, "Is there anyone who has had such a bad fate besides me?"
He answered, “Yes! Two other people had similar reasons as you and were punished the same as you too!”
Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه asked him, “Who are they?”
He answered, “Murarah ibn-Rabiرضي الله عنه and Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه.”
They mentioned the names of two pious people who were worthy of emulation. Now, Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ has prohibited all Muslims from talking to the three of them.
“We were shunned by everyone and they started us from our daily interactions. "Everything has now changed completely," said Ka'ab bin Malikرضي الله عنه.
“Then,” he said again, “we lived like that for forty nights. Suddenly a messenger from Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ came to deliver the king's message.
"Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ ordered you to stay away from your wife!"
Ka'ab bin Malik رضي الله عنه asked him, “Shall I divorce him or what?”
He answered, “No, but stay away from him and don't go near him.”
Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ also sent messengers to his two other friends to convey similar orders.
Hearing this order, Ka'abرضي الله عنه continued to order his wife, "You should go home to your family first until Allahﷻ determines what further punishment should be imposed on me."
What was Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه condition like when he received Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ's orders?
Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه wife came to Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and said, "O Rasulullah , indeed Hilal bin Umayyahرضي الله عنه is an old man and has no servants. Will Rasulullah not allow me to serve him?”
Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' answered, "Yes, but he must not approach you."
Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه 's wife said again, "By Allah, O Rasulullah, he no longer desires me. By Allah, he has always cried about his sin until now, so I am afraid that his crying will damage his eyesight."
Those are tears of repentance, tears of regret for not immediately fulfilling Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ's command to go to war with him.
That is a sincere struggle against human lust, which feels that it is wrong to step away from its own rights, from the rights of its Messenger, and from the rights of its Rabb.
At that anxious moment, a revelation came from Allah SWT who forgave the three of them their sins because truly He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
"Indeed, Allah has accepted the repentance of Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ', the Muhajirin and the Ansar, who followed Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' in difficult times, after the hearts of a group of them had almost turned away, then Allah accepted their repentance. Indeed, Allah is Most Gracious, Most Merciful to them. And, towards the three people whose repentance (repentance) was postponed, until the earth had become narrow for them, even though the earth was wide, and their souls had also felt narrow for them, and they believed that there was no more place for them from (the mercy of) Allah, but (returning) to Him alone. Allah then accepts their repentance so that they remain in their repentance. Indeed, Allah is the Most Accepting of repentance, the Most Merciful."
لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ١١٧وَعَلَى ٱلثَّلَـٰثَةِ ٱلَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١١٨
[Allah has certainly turned in mercy to the Prophet1 as well as the Emigrants and the Helpers who stood by him in the time of hardship after the hearts of a group of them had almost faltered. He then accepted their repentance. Surely He is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to them.A nd ˹Allah has also turned in mercy to˺ the three who had remained behind, ˹whose guilt distressed them˺ until the earth, despite its vastness, seemed to close in on them, and their souls were torn in anguish. They knew there was no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them in mercy so that they might repent. Surely Allah ˹alone˺ is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.]
{Surah Taubah: Ayat 117-118]
The second story is the story of Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه. When he returned home after Isyak, he met his wife with a man. He kept it quiet until dawn. In the afternoon, he went to Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' and reported the incident, "O Rasulullah, I returned home last night around Isyak time, apparently I found a man with my wife there. I saw it with my eyes and heard it with my ears.”
Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' was very sad to hear the report conveyed by Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه . The Ansar gathered here and there discussing what Sa'ab bin Ubadahرضي الله عنه said. before that, "We were tested by what Sa'ad bin Ubadahرضي الله عنه said."
"And, those who accuse good women (of committing adultery), then they cannot produce four witnesses, then they (those who accuse them) will be beaten eighty times and do not accept their testimony forever..."
[According to Imam Ahmad bin Hambal with sanad from Ibnu Abbas رضي الله عنه, "After the verse was revealed]
Sa'ad bin Ubadahرضي الله عنه, the leader of the Ansar, kept asking Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ', 'Is it true that the verse was revealed, O Rasulullah ?'
Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' answered,
"O Ansar, did you not hear what your leader asked?"
They answered, 'O Rasulullah, let him not be reproached in that matter. He is a jealous person. By Allahﷻ, he never married a woman except a girl and he never divorced his wife and then there was a man among us who married his ex-wife because of his excessive jealousy.'
Sa'ad bin Ubadahرضي الله عنه answered the words of Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ', 'O Rasulullah , by Allah, I know very well that the word is absolutely true and that the word was revealed by Allahﷻ, but I really wonder how I may allow a man who has sex with a woman without being prosecuted before I can bring in four eyewitnesses. By Allahﷻ, I cannot leave it until the work is finished."
["Then," said Imam Ahmad bin Hambal, "not long after that, an incident like what happened at Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه's house occurred."]
Now, various questions arise, will Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' chastise Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه and cancel his testimony forever?
Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه himself said, "By Allah, I really hope that Allahﷻ will solve my problem in the best way."
Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه said to Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ', "O Rasulullah, I have seen the weight of your Majesty's burden to implement that verse and Allahﷻ knows best that I am honest."
When did this event occur? Was it before the Tabuk War or after? Which of his wives had committed adultery?
Most likely, this incident occurred before the Tabuk War because Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه was already old at the time of the Tabuk War and had moved less and had no desire for women, as his wives said to Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ'.
If that is the case, which of his wives has committed this unfaithful act?
Hilal bin Umayyah'sرضي الله عنه was married to Fari'ah bint Malik ibnud-Dakhsyamرضي الله عنه. His father, Malik ibn-Dakhsyamرضي الله عنه, was present at the Aqabah meeting, and took part in the Badr War, in fact Malik ibn-Dakhsyamرضي الله عنه, was the one who succeeded in capturing Suhail bin Amru in that war, in fact, Rasulullahصَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ' once sent him together with Ma'an bin Adi to burn down the Dhirar Mosque.
Malik ibn-Dakhsyamرضي الله عنه was famous as a mujahid in the way of Allah and also a member of the missionary army.
The question now is, is it possible for a woman who was raised and raised in the house of a mujahid like Malik ibn-Dakhsyamرضي الله عنه, to commit such a cursed act?
Is it possible for a good woman who lives in the same house as a devout believer, who is always fighting for jihad and seeking shahadah, to do such a bad thing? We are not sure that someone like that would pollute himself with such a despicable act.
If that is the case, which of his wives has committed this unfaithful act?
The Asbabun Nuzul - Verses Revelations with Regards to Hilal bin Ummayah رضي الله عنه,. [ Surah An nur:Verses: 6-10]
وَٱلَّذِينَ
يَرْمُونَ
أَزْوَٰجَهُمْ
وَلَمْ
يَكُن
لَّهُمْ
شُهَدَآءُ
إِلَّآ
أَنفُسُهُمْ
فَشَهَـٰدَةُ
أَحَدِهِمْ
أَرْبَعُ
شَهَـٰدَٰتٍۭ
بِٱللَّهِ
ۙ
إِنَّهُۥ
لَمِنَ
ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
وَٱلْخَـٰمِسَةُ
أَنَّ
لَعْنَتَ
ٱللَّهِ
عَلَيْهِ
إِن
كَانَ
مِنَ
ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
وَيَدْرَؤُا۟
عَنْهَا
ٱلْعَذَابَ
أَن
تَشْهَدَ
أَرْبَعَ
شَهَـٰدَٰتٍۭ
بِٱللَّهِ
ۙ
إِنَّهُۥ
لَمِنَ
ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
٨٧وَٱلْخَـٰمِسَةَ
أَنَّ غَضَبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ ٩وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ
ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيمٌ ١٠٦
And those who accuse their
wives ˹of adultery˺ but have no witnesses except themselves, the accuser must
testify,1 swearing four times by Allah that he is telling the truth and a fifth oath that Allah may condemn
him if he is lying. For her to be spared the punishment, she must swear
four times by Allah that he is telling a lie, and a fifth oath that
Allah may be displeased with her if he is telling the truth.1˹You would have suffered,˺ had it not
been for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, and had Allah not been Accepting of
Repentance, All-Wise.
Details of Al-Li`an
This Ayah offers a way out for husbands. If a husband has accused his wife but cannot come up with proof, he can swear the Li`an (the oath of condemnation) as Allah commanded. This means that he brings her before the Imam and states what he is accusing her of. The ruler then asks him to swear four times by Allah in front of four witnesses
إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(that he is one of those who
speak the truth) in his accusation of her adultery.
وَالْخَامِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعْنَةَ اللَّهِ
عَلَيْهِ إِن كَانَ مِنَ الْكَـذِبِينَ
(And the fifth; the invoking of the curse of Allah on him if he be of those who tell a lie.) If he says that, then she is divorced from him by the very act of this Li`an; she is forever forbidden from him and he must give her Mahr to her. The punishment for Zina should be carried out on her, and nothing can prevent the punishment except if she also swears the oath of condemnation (Li`an) and swears by Allah four times that he is one of those who lied, i.e., in what he is accusing her of;
وَالْخَامِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ
عَلَيْهَآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(And the fifth; should be that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaks the truth.) Allah says:
وَيَدْرَؤُاْ عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ
(But she shall avert the
punishment) meaning, the prescribed punishment.
وَيَدْرَؤُاْ عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ أَن تَشْهَدَ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْكَـذِبِينَ - وَالْخَامِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(if she bears witness four times by Allah, that he is telling a lie. And the fifth; should be that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaks the truth.) The wrath of Allah is mentioned especially in the case of the woman because usually, a man would not go to the extent of exposing his wife and accusing her of Zina unless he is telling the truth and has good reason to do this, and she knows that what he is accusing her of is true. So in her case, the fifth testimony calls for the wrath of Allah to be upon her, for the one upon whom is the wrath of Allah, is the one who knows the truth yet deviates from it. Then Allah mentions His grace and kindness to His creation in that He has prescribed for them a way out of their difficulties. Allah says:
وَلَوْلاَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ
وَرَحْمَتُهُ
(And had it not been for the grace of Allah and His mercy on you!) meaning, many of your affairs would have been too difficult for you,
وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ
(And that Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance,) means, from His servants, even if that comes after they have sworn a confirmed oath.
حَكِيمٌ
(the All-Wise. ) in what He prescribes and commands and forbids. There are Hadiths that explain how we are to put this Ayah into effect, why it was revealed, and concerning whom among the Companions it was revealed.
The Reason why the Ayah of
Li`an was revealed
Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn
`Abbas said: "When the Ayah
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَـتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُواْ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَآءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلاَ تَقْبَلُواْ
لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَداً
(And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever) 24:4 was revealed, Sa`d bin `Ubadah, may Allah be pleased with him, -- the leader of the Ansar -- said, `Is this how it was revealed, O Messenger of Allah' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«يَا مَعْشَرَ الْأَنْصَارِ أَلَا
تَسْمَعُونَ مَا يَقُولُ سَيِّدُكُمْ؟»
(O Ansar, did you hear what your leader said) They said, `O Messenger of Allah, do not blame him, for he is a jealous man. By Allah, he never married a woman who was not a virgin, and he never divorced a woman but none of us would dare to marry her because he is so jealous.' Sa`d said, `By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I know that it (the Ayah) is true and is from Allah, but I am surprised. If I found some wicked man lying down with my wife, should I not disturb him until I have brought four witnesses By Allah, he would have finished what he was doing before I could bring them!' A little while later, Hilal bin Umayyah -- one of the three whose repentance had been accepted -- came back from his lands at night and found a man with his wife. He saw with his own eyes and heard with his own ears, but he did not disturb him until the morning. In the morning he went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, `O Messenger of Allah, I came to my wife at night and found a man with her, and I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not like what he had said and got very upset. The Ansar gathered around him and said, `We were being tested by what Sa`d bin Ubadah said, and now the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will punish Hilal bin Umayyah and declare his testimony before people to be unacceptable.' Hilal said: `By Allah, I hope that Allah will make for me a way out from this problem.' Hilal said, `O Messenger of Allah, I see how upset you are by what I have said, but Allah knows that I am telling the truth.' By Allah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wanted to have him flogged, but then Allah sent revelation to His Messenger. When the revelation came upon him, they knew about it from the change in his face, so they would leave him alone until the revelation was finished. Allah revealed the Ayah:
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ أَزْوَجَهُمْ
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَّهُمْ شُهَدَآءُ إِلاَّ أَنفُسُهُمْ فَشَهَـدَةُ أَحَدِهِمْ أَرْبَعُ
شَهَـدَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ
(And for those who accuse their wives, but have no witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies by Allah...,) Then the revelation was finished and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَبْشِرْ يَا هِلَالُ فَقَدْ جَعَلَ
اللهُ لَكَ فَرَجًا وَمَخْرَجًا»
(Rejoice, O Hilal, for Allah has made a way out for you.) Hilal said, `I had been hoping for this from my Lord, may He be glorified.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«أَرْسِلُوا إِلَيْهَا»
(Send for her.) So they sent for her and she came. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited this Ayah to them both, and reminded them that the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe than the punishment in this world. Hilal said, `By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I have spoken the truth about her.' She said, `He is lying.' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَاعِنُوا بَيْنَهُمَا»
(Make them both swear the Li`an.) So Hilal was told, `Testify.' So he testified four times by Allah that he was one of those who spoke the truth. When he came to the fifth testimony, he was told, `O Hilal, have Taqwa of Allah, for the punishment of this world is easier than the punishment of the Hereafter, and this will mean that the punishment will be inevitable for you.' He said, `By Allah, Allah will not punish me for it, just as He has not caused me to be flogged for it.' So he testified for the fifth time that the curse of Allah would be upon him if he was telling a lie. Then it was said to his wife, `Testify four times by Allah that he is telling a lie.' And when his wife reached the fifth testimony, she was told, `Have Taqwa of Allah, for the punishment of this world, is easier than the punishment of the Hereafter, and this will mean that the punishment will be inevitable for you.' She hesitated for a while, and was about to admit her guilt, then she said: `By Allah, I will not expose my people to shame, and she swore the fifth oath that the wrath of Allah would be upon her if he was telling the truth.' Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ separated them, and decreed that her child should not be attributed to any father, nor should the child be accused, and whoever accused her or her child, would be subject to punishment. He also decreed that Hilal was not obliged to house her or feed her, because they had not been separated by divorce, nor had he died and left her a widow. He said,
«إِنْ جَاءَتْ بِهِ أُصَيْهِبَ (أُرَيْسِحَ) حَمْشَ السَّاقَيْنِ، فَهُوَ لِهِلَالٍ، وَإِنْ جَاءَتْ بِهِ أَوْرَقَ جَعَدًا
جُمَالِيًّا خَدَلَّجَ السَّاقَيْنِ سَابِغَ الْأَلْيَتَيْنِ، فَهُوَ لِلَّذِي
رُمِيَتْتِبهِ»
(If she gives birth to a red-haired child (with skinny thighs) and thin legs, then he is Hilal's child, but if she gives birth to a curly-haired child with thick legs and plump buttocks, then this is what she is accused of.) She subsequently gave birth to a child who was curly-haired with thick legs and plump buttocks, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَوْلَا الْأَيْمَانُ لَكَانَ لِي
وَلَهَا شَأْنٌ»
(Were it not for the oath that she swore, I would deal with her.)" `Ikrimah said, "The child grew up to become the governor of Egypt, and he was given his mother's name and was not attributed to any father." Abu Dawud recorded a similar but briefer report. This Hadith has corroborating reports in the books of Sahih and elsewhere, with many chains of narration, including the report narrated by Al-Bukhari from Ibn `Abbas, that Hilal bin Umayyah accused his wife before the Prophet with Sharik bin Sahma'. The Prophet said,
«الْبَيِّنَةَ أَوْحَدٌّ فِي ظَهْرِكَ»
(Evidence or the punishment on your back.) He said, "O Messenger of Allah, if any one of us saw a man with his wife, how could he go and get evidence" The Prophet again said,
«الْبَيِّنَةَ وَإِلَّاحَدٌّ فِي
ظَهْرِكَ»
(Evidence otherwise the punishment on your back.) Hilal said, "By the One Who sent you with the truth! I am telling the truth and Allah will reveal something that will protect my back from the punishment. " Then Jibril came down and brought the revelation,
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ أَزْوَجَهُمْ
(And for those who accuse
their wives,) Then he recited until he reached:
إِن كَانَ مِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(that he is one of those who speak the truth) 24:6. When the revelation had finished, the Prophet sent for them both. Hilal came and gave his testimony, and the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ اللهَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمَا
كَاذِبٌ، فَهَلْ مِنْكُمَا تَائِبٌ؟»
(Allah knows that one of you is lying. Will one of you repent) Then she stood up and gave her testimony, and when she reached the fifth oath, they stopped her and said, "If you swear the fifth oath and you are lying, the curse of Allah will be inevitable." Ibn `Abbas said, "She hesitated and kept quiet until we thought that she had changed her mind, then she said, `I will not dishonor my people today', and she went ahead. Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَبْصِرُوهَا، فَإِنْ جَاءَتْ بِهِ أَكْحَلَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ سَابِغَ الْأَلْيَتَيْنِ خَدَلَّجَ السَّاقَيْنِ، فَهُوَ لِشَرِيكِ ابْنِ
سَحْمَاءَ»
(Wait until she gives birth, and if she gives birth to a child whose eyes look as if they are ringed with kohl and who has plump buttocks and thick legs, then he is the child of Sharik bin Sahma'.) She gave birth to a child who matched this description, and the Prophet said,
«لَوْلَا مَا مَضَى مِنْ كِتَابِ
اللهِ لَكَانَ لِي وَ لَهَا شَأْنٌ»
(Were it not for the Book of Allah, I would deal with her.) This version was recorded only by Al-Bukhari, but the event has been narrated with additional chains of narration from Ibn `Abbas and others. Imam Ahmad recorded that Sa`id bin Jubayr said: During the governorship of Ibn Az-Zubayr I was asked about the couple who engage in Li`an, and whether they should be separated, and I did not know the answer. I got up and went to the house of Ibn `Umar, and said, "O Abu `Abdur-Rahman, should the couple who engage in Li`an be separated" He said, "Subhan Allah, the first one to ask about this was so-and-so the son of so-and-so. He said, `O Messenger of Allah, what do you think of a man who sees his wife committing an immoral sin If he speaks he will be speaking about something very serious, and if he keeps quiet he will be keeping quiet about something very serious.' The Prophet kept quiet and did not answer him. Later on, he came to him and said, `What I asked you about is something with which I myself being tested with.' Then Allah revealed the Ayat,
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ أَزْوَجَهُمْ
(And for those who accuse
their wives,) until he reached:
أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَآ
إِن كَانَ مِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(That the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaks the truth.) He started to advise the man and remind him about Allah, and told him that the punishment of this world is easier than the punishment of the Hereafter. The man said: `By the One Who sent you with the truth, I was not telling you a lie.' Then the Prophet turned to the woman and advised the woman and reminded her about Allah, and told her that the punishment of this world is easier than the punishment of the Hereafter. The woman said, `By the One Who sent you with the truth, he is lying.' So the Prophet started with the man, who swore four times by Allah that he was one of those who speak the truth and swore the fifth oath that the curse of Allah would be upon him if he were lying. Then he turned to the woman, who swore four times by Allah that he was lying and swore the fifth oath that the wrath of Allah would be upon her if he was telling the truth. Then he separated them." It was also recorded by An-Nasa'i in his Tafsir, and by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the Two Sahihs.
References:
Ibn Kathir (Abridged)
https://quran.com/24:6/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir
An-Nasa'i in his Tafsir, and by Al-Bukhari and Muslim
