Is adultery (Zina) prohibited?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Ḥudūd (Prescribed Penalties)

Book 51 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Adultery (Zina) is strictly forbidden and constitutes one of the gravest major sins. This prohibition is established by the saying of Allah the Exalted: "And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way" (Quran 2:32). Furthermore, Allah states concerning those who avoid major sins: "And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, nor commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty; He will be multiplied his torment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated" (Quran 25:68-69). When asked about the greatest sins after associating partners with Allah and the killing of one's offspring for fear of poverty, the Prophet (peace be upon him) declared the third greatest sin to be adultery with the wife of one's neighbor, as narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.