What is the ruling regarding slandering a wife or a non-spouse person without conclusive evidence of adultery?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
Slandering one's wife or a non-spouse person under circumstances other than those detailed above constitutes a grave sin (Kabirah). This is established by the Almighty's saying: "Indeed, those who accuse chaste, unsuspecting, believing women [of adultery] are cursed in this world and the Hereafter and will have a tremendous punishment" (Quran 25:23). Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated that any woman who introduces someone into a lineage to whom he does not belong is not of God in any way and God will not admit her to Paradise, and any man who denies his child while looking at him, God will veil Himself from him and disgrace him before the First and the Last.
Supporting text
Slandering a wife is impermissible based on the testimony of someone whose report is not trusted, as they are not guaranteed against lying. It is also impermissible based merely on seeing a man leaving her dwelling without widespread notoriety of her adultery, as the man could have been a thief or entering for some other valid reason. It is also not permissible based on widespread rumors alone without corroborating evidence, due to the possibility that her enemies spread the rumor. However, there is an alternative view stating permissibility based on widespread rumor, as it is considered stronger evidence than the report of a trusted individual.