What is the ruling regarding the marriage of a couple, and what is required of the wife concerning her husband's accusations of theft against her and his belief in those accusations? What is the ruling on theft in this situation? And what is the prescribed legal punishment that applies to the deceptive husband, those who incited him, and the husband himself?

A husband's declaration of حرمة (prohibition) concerning his wife depends on his intention: if he intended divorce, then it is a divorce; if he intended ẓihār (a pre-Islamic form of divorce by likening one's wife to an unmarriageable female relative), then it is ẓihār; and if he intended an oath, then it is an oath. Seeking help from sorcerers is a grave error. The younger wife has the right to defend herself, and if it is proven that the man lied about her, we advise seeking reconciliation and convincing the husband to refrain from accusing her. Proof of theft against a man is established by his confession, and the punishment for a thief is the amputation of his hand if his theft is proven before a Muslim ruler; however, it is preferable to conceal [the matter] and forgive. As for those who instigate, there is no specific punishment for them, and the ruler may discipline them as he deems appropriate.