What is the ruling if a husband calls his wife 'O adulteress' (Ya zaniyah) and she responds, 'You are more adulterous than I am' (Anta azna minni)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
There is no Hadd punishment upon the husband due to her corroboration, and no Hadd punishment upon the wife based on the prior established reasons applicable when there is ambiguity. The Hadd is waived due to the presence of doubt.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i, Abu Thawr, and the Ashab al-Ra'y rule that her statement does not constitute Qadhf unless she intended it as such, as it can be interpreted that she means he had relations with her while being her lawful husband, in which case her statement is stronger than his accusation. Al-Qadi rules that she incurs the Hadd for defaming him because her statement is an explicit accusation of Zina, which necessitates the Hadd regardless of ambiguity, similar to if she had said directly, 'You are an adulterer (Zani).'