On the saying of Allah the Exalted: “The fornicating woman and the fornicating man, flog each of them” — is the address here to the Ummah?
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The questioner : On the saying of Allah the Exalted [An-Nur 24:2], is the address here to the Ummah, and we said that the execution of the hadd is the responsibility of the deputy only, and the address is in the plural?
The Shaykh : It is well known that the address directed to the Ummah in such matters is intended for the Imam, but they were addressed with it so that it would be convincing to everyone, meaning so that no one would say, “This man is tyrannizing over us.” We would say, “Allah commanded you yourselves to execute the hadd.” This is the reason for the address being to everyone.
The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them
الزانية والزاني فاجلدوا كل واحد منهماThe Shaykh : It is well known that the address directed to the Ummah in such matters is intended for the Imam, but they were addressed with it so that it would be convincing to everyone, meaning so that no one would say, “This man is tyrannizing over us.” We would say, “Allah commanded you yourselves to execute the hadd.” This is the reason for the address being to everyone.