What is the predominant view among scholars regarding the differing opinions on whether punishment (hadd) is waived through repentance and reform for non-combatants? Is the hadd waived for one who insults the Prophet (peace be upon him) and for one who repents from adultery and theft before being apprehended? And is the hadd to be carried out on one who repented from adultery ten years ago, then his matter reached the judge?
Shaykh al-Islam, in al-Fatawa al-Kubra, favored the dropping of the hadd (prescribed punishment) upon repentance. So, if the fornicator, thief, or wine-drinker repents before being brought before the ruler, then the hadd is dropped from him, by analogy with the dropping of the hadd from highway robbers if they repent before they are apprehended.
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