Does the ruling of li'an in Surat An-Nur pertain exclusively to men, or is it permissible for a woman to accuse her husband of adultery through li'an?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The li'an (oath of condemnation) is specific to husbands, not wives, due to the natural jealousy instilled in men regarding their wives, and their inability to tolerate seeing them commit adultery. Thus, Allah has removed from them the punishment for false accusation (of adultery) by ordaining for them the mula'anah (mutual imprecation). This is also because the adultery of a wife brings shame and blame upon her husband, and mixes his children with others, unlike the reverse situation. However, if a husband's adultery is proven, the wife has the right to seek a divorce or to refer the matter to the ruler.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/62500
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 62500
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy