Why Jesus forgave an adulteress and why Islam prescribes punishment for adultery.
1. The Story of Jesus and the Adulteress.
2. Why Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him punished the sinners. Different contexts and missions.
3. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the old testament where the punishment of adultery was death.
4. In Islam, if someone commits illegal sexual intercourse, they must repent sincerely, and Allah will forgive them.
5. A man who kissed a woman and was not punished. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not inquire about the woman to punish her. Her name was totally concealed.
6. The one who truly repented of sin is like one without sin.
7. In Islam it is obligatory on to conceal himself and repent.
8. Conclusion
1. The Story of Jesus and the Adulteress
Found in the Gospel of John (8:1–11), the story is missing from some ancient manuscripts of John, as noted already by early church fathers like Jerome and Augustine. For this and other reasons, a majority of modern scholars regard the passage as a later insertion.
Even if authentic, lets see what it says, People brought a woman caught in adultery, asking Jesus if she should be stoned according to Mosaic law.
Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” After the accusers left.
2. Why Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him punished the sinners. Different contexts and missions
Jesus’s primary mission was spiritual redemption, not governing a state. Whereas, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was both a prophet and a spiritual and legal leader in Medina, establishing a community with laws. In that capacity, he applied punishments in some proven cases to establish justice and deterrence in society.
3. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the old testament where the punishment of adultery was death.
Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it as mentioned in the bible
Bible says:
10 “‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.
Leviticus 20:10
And in new testament it says:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
(Matthew 5:17).
He also taught about the seriousness of sin, even if you look at woman is adultery, Jesus said:
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
(Matthew 5:27–28).
His forgiveness to the woman was personal and spiritual, NOT a legal verdict in a civic court.
4. In Islam, if someone commits illegal sexual intercourse, they must repent sincerely, and Allah will forgive them.
Allah says:
And those who, when they have committed fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.
(Aal-i-Imraan, Chapter #3, Verse #135, Muhsin Khan)
5. A man who kissed a woman and was not punished. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not inquire about the woman to punish her. Her name was totally concealed.
Narrated Musa bin Talhah:
that Abu Al-Yasar said: “A woman came to me selling dates. I said to her: ‘There are better dates than these in the house.’ So she entered the house with me. I had an urge for her so I began kissing her. I went to Abu Bakr and mentioned that to him, so he said: ‘Cover what you have done, repent, do not inform any one, and never do it again.’ So I went to ‘Umar and mentioned that to him. He said: ‘Cover what you have done, repent, do not inform any one, and never do it again.’ Then I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and mentioned it to him.” He said: ‘Is this how you take care of the wife of someone who is away fighting in Allah’s cause?” Such that he had wished he had not accepted Islam until that very time, and he thought that he must be one of the people of the Fire.” He said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) bowed his head for a long time, until Allah revealed to him: And perform the Salat, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful (11:114). Abu Al-Yasar said: “So I went to him and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited it for me. A companion of his said: “O Messenger of Allah! Is this specific, or is it for the people in general?” He said: “Rather it is for the people in general.”
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3115
6.The one who truly repented of sin is like one without sin.
In fact Islam goes one step further The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The one who truly repented of sin is like one without sin.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4250
7. In Islam it is obligatory on to conceal himself and repent. If he confesses his sin to the ruler, then the Hadd or Ta’zeer [a discretionary punishment] should be implemented on him.
Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him narrated in which the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Avoid these filthy things [sins] which Allah has forbidden, but if anyone commits any of them, then let him conceal that which Allah has concealed, and let him repent, for whoever discloses to us what he has done, we will carry out the punishment prescribed in the Book of Allah the Al-Mighty on him.” [Al-Haakim and Al-Bayhaqi, and Al-Albaani classified it as authentic]
8. Conclusion
In short, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) had different roles, which explains why they dealt with adultery differently.
Jesus was a spiritual teacher. When he forgave the woman, he was showing personal mercy and calling for repentance, not acting as a judge in court.
Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was both a prophet and the leader of a state. He established laws to protect society. Punishment for adultery is for proven public crimes, to ensure justice.
Most importantly, in Islam, sincere private repentance to Allah always comes first and can completely erase the sin. The legal punishment is a separate matter for public justice.
So, both prophets perfectly fulfilled their missions: Jesus peace be upon him emphasized personal forgiveness, while Muhammad peace be upon him established social justice, with both teachings valuing repentance.