Enjoining the Good and Forbidding Evil: How to Deal with Suspected Immorality Without Shar‘ī Proof?
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei
Enjoining the Good and Forbidding Evil: How to Deal with Suspected Immorality Without Shar‘ī Proof?
English:
Question #1073:
A Muslim man comes to know from circumstantial evidence that his wife, though being a mother of several children, secretly commits acts against chastity while he does not have any shar‘ī evidence to prove it (such as a witness who is ready to testify). How can he deal with this woman in accordance with Islamic law, knowing that his children are being raised by such a woman? How should one deal with a person, or persons, who commit such obscene deeds contrary to the divine laws if he becomes aware of them without possessing any evidence which can be presented in a shar‘ī court?
Answer #1073:
It is obligatory to avoid suspicion and refrain from depending on conjectural evidences. If it is ascertained that a ḥarām act has been committed, it is obligatory to prevent her by reminding, advising, and forbidding evil. If forbidding her from evil is not effective, one may refer to competent judicial authorities if provable evidence is available.