No one should be flogged more than ten lashes except when it comes to one of the limits set by Allah
Narrator in the source: Abu Burdah al-Ansāri reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Burdah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "No one should be flogged more than ten lashes except when it comes to one of the limits set by Allah."- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Agreed upon
- Source entry
- HadeethEnc · 2987 ↗
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «لَا يُجْلَدُ أَحَدٌ فَوْقَ عَشَرَةِ أَسْوَاطٍ إِلَّا فِي حَدٍّ مِنْ حُدُودِ اللهِ».Understand this hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade flogging anyone more than ten lashes except in case of committing sins. This does not refer to punishments where a specific number of lashes, strikes, or a penalty have been prescribed by the Legislator. The meaning here is that disciplinary beating, such as flogging a wife or child, should not exceed ten lashes.
Lessons from the hadith
- The limits set by Allah Almighty, which He has commanded or prohibited, have deterrent punishments, which are either decreed by the Legislator or left to the discretion of the ruler based on what he deems beneficial.
- Disciplinary action should be light, just enough to guide and intimidate, and should not exceed ten lashes if needed. It is preferable; however, to discipline them without beating, relying instead on direction, teaching, guidance, and encouragement, as this approach is more likely to be accepted and fosters gentleness in teaching. Circumstances vary greatly in this regard, so one should choose what is most suitable.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح البخاري (8/ 174) (6850). صحيح مسلم (3/ 1332) (1708). تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام (ص677). توضيح الأحكام مِن بلوغ المرام، لعبد الله البسام (5/ 465).