Is *Li'an* (mutual imprecation) applicable when a man accuses a non-wife of adultery?

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Mutual imprecation (*Li'an*) is not legislated between a man and anyone who is not his wife. If a free married woman (*muhsana*) is accused by a non-husband, the accuser receives the legal punishment (*Hadd*), but there is no *Li'an*. If the accused woman is not married (*muhsana*), the accuser receives discretionary chastisement (*Ta'zir*), and there is no *Li'an* either. This is established because Allah the Exalted legislated *Li'an* specifically for spouses when He stated, "And those who accuse their spouses..." (Quran 24:6), which specifies the general ruling regarding those who accuse chaste women, "And those who accuse the chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses, flog them eighty stripes" (Quran 24:4). Thus, concerning non-spouses, the general ruling applies.