for Hilal; and if she brings him [the child] ash-colored(16), curly-haired(17), well-proportioned(18), with full shanks(19), and full buttocks, then he is for the one whom she was accused of having relations with." She brought him ash-colored, curly-haired, well-proportioned, with full shanks, and full buttocks. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Were it not for the oaths [already taken], I would have had a different matter concerning her." 'Ikrimah said: "He was afterwards a commander over Mudar(21), and he was not attributed to a father(22)." Furthermore, because a husband is tested by the accusation against his wife in order to negate shame and corrupt lineage, and because proof [through witnesses] is impossible for him, Li'an (oath of condemnation) was made a proof for him. This is why, when the verse of Li'an was revealed, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Rejoice, O Hilal! Allah has granted you relief and an exit."
1327 - Issue: Abu al-Qasim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: (If a man accuses his adult, free, Muslim wife, saying to her: "You have committed adultery," or "O adulteress," or "I saw you committing adultery," and he does not bring proof, the hadd (punishment) is mandatory for him if he does not perform Li'an, whether he is a Muslim or a disbeliever, free or a slave.)
The discussion regarding this issue involves several sections:
The first section concerns the attributes of the two spouses between whom Li'an is valid(1). There is a difference of opinion regarding them in the narrations. It is narrated that it is valid between any two mukallaf (legally competent) spouses, whether they are both Muslims or disbelievers, righteous or corrupt, or have previously been punished for slander, or if one of them is in such a state. This is the opinion of Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Sulayman ibn Yasar, al-Hasan, Rabi'ah, Malik, and Ishaq. Ahmad said, in the narration of Ishaq(2) ibn Mansur: All spouses may perform Li'an; a free man with a free woman or a slave woman
(16) Al-awraq: dark-colored or ash-colored. (17) Al-ja'd regarding hair: the opposite of straight, i.e., curly or short-haired. (18) Al-jamali: one with large limbs and complete, well-formed features. (19) Khadllaj al-saqayn: having full, thick shanks. (20) Omitted from: [B]. (21) In the manuscripts: "Misr". The confirmed reading is from Sunan Abi Dawud. (22) In the original, [A], [M]: "al-ab" (the father). (1) In [B], [M]: "baynahuma" (between them). (2) Omitted from: [B], [M].
