Averting the hudud (fixed Qur'anic punishments) by doubt and excusing ignorance due to the hadith of the recent convert to Islam

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, should the ruling not be that ignorance is an excuse for the one who is a recent convert to Islam, such that he is excused for breaking the fast in Ramadan?

The Shaykh:
Yes, if he is a recent convert to Islam. He is excused for ignorance in Ramadan and in other times. Yes, and what concerns Ramadan, yes.

The questioner:
The reality of the matter is that the hudud are averted by doubt, not that they are executed with the negation.

The Shaykh:
If the sinner has a doubt. If he has a doubt. For example, if he says, "I had intercourse with this woman thinking she was my wife, thinking she was my wife." This is a doubt. This doubt removes the hadd from him, because this is a close doubt, meaning it is possible that it could happen. I did not intend to commit zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) with her, but I thought she was my wife. This is a doubt. Yes.

The questioner:
And the Shaykh said.

The Shaykh:
Or if he says, "I drank this intoxicant, I did not think it was an intoxicant, I thought it was water or I thought it was juice, I did not think it was an intoxicant." This is also an excuse. Or if he says, "I was forced, I was forced to drink it, I was forced to drink it." If the evidence indicates his truthfulness, then it is accepted, and the hadd is averted from him. Yes.