What is the ruling regarding accusing a chaste, free, sane, adult Muslim woman of fornication (Qadhf)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Ḥudūd (Prescribed Penalties)
Primary text
Accusing a chaste woman of fornication (Qadhf) is strictly forbidden by the consensus of the Ummah. The primary evidence for this prohibition is found in the Quran, specifically where Allah states that those who accuse chaste women but bring not four witnesses shall be flogged eighty lashes, their testimony never accepted, and they shall be considered defiantly wicked (Quran 24:4). Furthermore, Allah mentions that those who accuse chaste, believing, heedless women shall be cursed in this life and the Hereafter, having a great punishment (Quran 24:23). The Sunnah confirms this; the Prophet (peace be upon him) listed accusing chaste, believing, heedless women among the seven destructive major sins, as confirmed by unanimous agreement (Muttafaqun 'alayh).
Supporting text
The term 'Muhsanat' (chaste women) in the Quran carries four meanings: (1) chaste women regarding fornication (as cited above); (2) married women, as seen in verses like Quran 4:24 and 4:25; (3) free women, as seen in Quran 4:25 and 5:5; and (4) those in a state of Islam, as indicated by the phrase 'fa idha uhsin' (Quran 4:25), which Ibn Mas'ud interpreted as their Islam being their state of chastity.