Many of our scholars chose the view that he is to be exiled for half a year, based on the Prophet’s saying concerning the adulterer: “One hundred lashes and exile for a year.” (1) This is also supported by the general meaning of Allah’s saying: “They shall receive half the punishment prescribed for free women,” which includes exile; moreover, exile can be halved.

As for their argument that this harms his master, we say: even flogging him before people harms the master, since it diminishes the slave’s value; people will not buy him, will be wary of him, and will not entrust him with anything. Such misfortunes that befall the master as a result of his slave’s actions cannot prevent the implementation of one of Allah’s prescribed penalties. His slave’s adultery is among the misfortunes with which he has been afflicted.

As for their argument that it is feared he may flee, we say: if his master fears that he will flee, he can hire someone to remain with him in the land of exile, or take similar measures by which he can safeguard his slave. Thus, the sounder view is that he is exiled for half a year.

His statement, “The prescribed punishment for a sodomite”: “prescribed punishment” is the subject, while “like that of an adulterer” is the predicate, consisting of a preposition and its object.

A sodomite is one who commits the indecent act through the anus of a male. He is called a sodomite in reference to the people of Lot, for the people of Lot—Allah’s refuge is sought—were the first in all the worlds to introduce this indecent act. Their Prophet said to them:

“Do you commit such an indecent act as no one in all the worlds has ever done before you?” [al-A‘raf 7:80]

Sodomy is more serious and more abhorrent than adultery, because adultery is an indecent act committed in a private part that may sometimes be lawful, whereas sodomy is an indecent act committed in an anus that is never lawful.