Chapter on Legal Stratagems in Rulings
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 3|Book 1|Chapter 12
وَ - قَضَى عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي اِمْرَأَةٍ أَتَتْهُ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ زَوْجِي وَقَعَ عَلَى جَارِيَتِي بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَقَالَ لِلرَّجُلِ "مَا تَقُولُ" فَقَالَ مَا وَقَعْتُ عَلَيْهَا إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهَا فَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "إِنْ كُنْتِ صَادِقَةً رَجَمْنَاهُ وَ إِنْ كُنْتِ كَاذِبَةً ضَرَبْنَاكِ حَدّاً" وَ أُقِيمَتِ اَلصَّلاَةُ فَقَامَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يُصَلِّي فَفَكَّرَتِ اَلْمَرْأَةُ فِي نَفْسِهَا فَلَمْ تَرَ لَهَا فِي رَجْمِ زَوْجِهَا فَرَجاً وَ لاَ فِي ضَرْبِهَا اَلْحَدَّ فَخَرَجَتْ وَ لَمْ تَعُدْ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلْ عَنْهَا أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ.
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام judged in the case of a woman who came to him and said: "My husband has had relations with my bondwoman without my permission." Imam عليه السلام said to the man: "What do you say?" The man replied: "I did not approach her except with her permission." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "If you are truthful, we will stone him. But if you are lying, we will administer the prescribed punishment (lashes) on you." At that moment, the call for prayer was made, and Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام stood up to pray. While Imam عليه السلام prayed, the woman reflected and saw no benefit in having her husband stoned, nor in facing the punishment herself. She left and did not return, and Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام did not inquire about her afterward.
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh