He replied:

If he repents of unlawful intercourse, theft, or drinking wine before his case is brought before the ruler, the correct view is that the prescribed punishment is waived, just as it is waived, by unanimous agreement, for brigands who repent before they are apprehended.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

A man committed a sin carrying a prescribed punishment, such as flogging or stoning, then repented of that sin, ceased committing it, sought forgiveness, and resolved never to return to it. Is that sufficient, or must he go to the ruler and disclose his sin so that the prescribed punishment may be carried out against him? Is it better for him to conceal his sin and repent?

The Answer

He replied:

If he sincerely repents, Allah will accept his repentance without any need for him to confess his sin so that the prescribed punishment may be carried out against him. It is stated in the hadith:

“Whoever falls into any of these filthy deeds should keep it concealed as Allah has concealed it. For whoever discloses his offence to us, we shall enforce against him the punishment prescribed in Allah’s Book.”

It is also stated in a report:

“Whoever sins in secret should repent in secret, and whoever sins openly should repent openly.”

Allah Most High says:

“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins”—to the end of the verse.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

Are the guilt incurred by sin and the prescribed punishment for unlawful intercourse increased on blessed days?

He replied:

Yes. Sins committed at specially favoured times and in specially favoured places are graver, and their punishment is more severe in proportion to the distinction of the time and place.