English Translation

Zaid ibn Aslam narrated that a man confessed to fornication during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The Prophet called for a whip but was brought a broken one. He said: "Better than this." He was then brought a new whip whose knots had not been trimmed. He said: "Less than this." So he was brought a whip that had been used and softened. The Prophet ordered him flogged, then said: "O people, it is time for you to observe Allah's limits. Whoever falls into something of these filthy deeds, let him conceal himself with Allah's concealment. For whoever reveals to us his affair, we will apply the Book of Allah upon him."