There is also disagreement over their administering one another’s property. May an unbeliever who is upright according to his own religion administer the property of his unbelieving child? There are two opinions on this within the school of Ahmad and elsewhere. The unquestionably correct view is that they have a greater right to guardianship over one another. This was the established practice of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and of his caliphs.

Allah’s words, “Punish them both,” command the infliction of hurt in general terms, without specifying its manner, form, or extent. He simply states that both must be made to suffer. The term adhā (hurt) is frequently used in reference to speech, as in His words:

“They will not harm you beyond causing hurt.”

“Indeed, those who offend Allah and His Messenger…”

“And those who harm believing men and believing women for something they have not done…”

“Among them are those who offend the Prophet.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said: “No one is more patient than Allah with the hurtful things He hears.” There are many similar examples, which we have discussed in Kitāb al-Sārim al-Maslūl (The Unsheathed Sword). This is likewise illustrated by his words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, concerning someone who drinks wine: “Punish him and cause him distress.”

Allah says: “But if they repent and mend their ways, leave them alone.” Leaving them alone means ceasing to cause them distress. Thus, the sinner continues to be subjected to distress, forbidden from wrongdoing, admonished, rebuked, and addressed sternly until he repents and obeys Allah. At the very least, he is to be shunned and not addressed with kind words, just as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the believers shunned the three who were left behind until their repentance and reform became evident.

This verse remains in force and has not been abrogated. Any man or woman who commits indecency must therefore be subjected to distress through words that deter them from sin, until