What is the ruling regarding witnesses who testify to the same act of *zina* occurring in different towns?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Ḥudūd (Prescribed Penalties)

Book 51 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If two witnesses testify to *zina* in one town, and two other witnesses testify to *zina* in a different town, all four are slanderers and must receive the prescribed punishment (*hadd*). This is based on the principle that four complete witnesses were not established for a singular act of *zina*.

Supporting text

Abu Bakr held the opinion that the witnesses should be exempt from the punishment (*hadd*).