The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 441
IX - Repeated Treachery of the Jews, Compilation and Sequence of the Holy Qur ’ā n, Marriage of Ḥaḍrat Zainab ra , the Great Calumny and Mischief of the Hypocrites 441 protection of the morality of the community was heavily based upon it. The foundation of this law was on the following rules: Firstly, every person by default should be considered chaste and pure. In other words, every person should be considered innocent until definitive and categorical evidence is not presented against his purity and chastity. Secondly, the honour and respect of a person is an extremely valuable thing, which should be especially safeguarded in comparison to all the other things of this world. Thirdly, the propagation of indecency erases the fear of sin and destroys the morality of society, therefore it must be prevented. Fourthly, when it is absolutely necessary that a criminal receives a punishment for adultery that serves as an example to others, it is also necessary that a person who makes a false accusation not be left without punishment. In the context of these principles, the Holy Qur’ān presents the following law:. . . . . . . “A person who accuses another for having committed adultery (or fornication) is obliged to present at least four reliable eye-witnesses. If such a person presents these witnesses, the crime shall be established and the criminal shall be punished with a hundred lashes. In the administering of this punishment, no pity and leniency should be exercised. Moreover, this punishment should be administered openly in public so that it serves as a lesson for others. However, if the one to level this objection is unable to prove his claim according to the above-mentioned method, the defendant shall be considered innocent, and the claimant shall receive a punishment of eighty lashes for having levelled a false