Rule: Ignorance of the consequences of an act is not an excuse for being excused from the act, and its example.

The Shaykh : So, ignorance of the consequences of an act is not an excuse for being excused from the act. This is a useful rule. Ignorance regarding the consequences of an act is not an excuse, yes, for being exempted from being held accountable for the act. Therefore, if a married person commits unlawful sexual intercourse, and may Allah protect us from that, what is his hudud punishment? Stoning. This married man knows that unlawful sexual intercourse is forbidden, but he does not know that if it is committed by a married person, the consequence is stoning. He said, "If I had known that the hudud punishment was stoning, I would not have done it." Do we excuse him for that? No, rather we establish the hudud punishment upon him and stone him with stones until he dies. And with this, I have finished what I wanted to point out regarding the things that break the fast, and that a person is excused in them by ignorance, forgetfulness, and lack of intention. So let us now return to reading *Umdat al-Ahkam*. Listen to it on the tape, if Allah wills.
The student: ...

The Shaykh : What?