Is Li'an obligatory if the accusation involves non-adulterous physical contact or general verbal abuse?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)

Book 43 · Issue 3 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

If a husband accuses his wife through sexual contact without penetration of the private parts (wad' dun al-farj) or through any vulgarity that does not constitute adultery, neither the prescribed punishment (hadd) nor Li'an is established. This is because he accused her of something that does not warrant the hadd, just as if he accused her of striking people or causing them harm.