I say: the preferable course is for the ruler to do whatever is more severe and more deterrent. If he considers burning them to be more severe and deterrent—by gathering firewood before the people, then bringing them forth and casting them into the fire—he may do so. If he considers it more severe and deterrent to select the tallest tower in the town, cast them down from it, and then follow this with stones, he may do so. And if he considers stoning them—having them stand before the people while young and old stone them—to be more severe and deterrent, he may do so. The important thing is to do what is more severe and more deterrent, for this—may Allah protect us—is an exceedingly vile indecency. If the reins are left loose, it will quickly spread among people until it destroys them.
“The prescribed punishment is not obligatory except upon fulfillment of three conditions: the first is the complete insertion of his original glans into an original vagina or anus, in an act that is purely unlawful, involving a living human being, …”
His statement, “The prescribed punishment is not obligatory except upon fulfillment of three conditions”: these conditions are additional to the general conditions mentioned previously.
His statement, “The first is the complete insertion of his original glans into an original vagina or anus, in an act that is purely unlawful, involving a living human being.”
His statement, “the insertion of his glans,” means that of the fornicator or adulterer. The glans is well known.
His statement, “complete,” excludes partial insertion. If he has no glans—for example, if it has been amputated—then its estimated extent takes its place.
His statement, “into a vagina,” means the genital opening; “or an anus,” means the outlet for excrement.
His statement, “original,” is an adjective qualifying either the vagina or the anus. Its opposite is a non-original one, as in the case of an intersex person: with respect to the vagina, this is clear; but with respect to the anus, it is possible that a person—may Allah grant us well-being—has no anus. Ibn Qudāmah mentioned