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How are the Hadd punishments for zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) and theft, and purification from them, carried out in a country that does not apply Sharia, and what should an honorable woman do if she is tempted in such a country?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The implementation of hudud (punishments prescribed by Islamic law) is the responsibility of those in authority, and it is not a condition for the validity of repentance that the prescribed punishment be carried out on the one who repents. Rather, what is prescribed for one who has committed a sin that necessitates a hadd punishment is to conceal their sin and repent between themselves and their Lord. If the sin is related to the rights of a human being, then it is obligatory to restore that right to its owner. So, whoever committed fornication in a country that does not implement the hadd punishment, let them repent sincerely between themselves and Allah. And whoever stole, they must repent and return the rights to their owners.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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