Whoever commits a Hadd (legally punishable sin) and his punishment is hastened for him in this world, then Allah is too just to repeat the punishment for His slave in the Hereafter
Hasanعَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَصَابَ حَدًّا فَعُجِّلَ عُقُوبَتَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَاللَّهُ أَعْدَلُ مِنْ أَنْ يُثَنِّيَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ العُقُوبَةَ فِي الآخِرَةِ، وَمَنْ أَصَابَ حَدًّا فَسَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَفَا عَنْهُ فَاللَّهُ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يَعُودَ فِي شَيْءٍ قَدْ عَفَا عَنْهُ».
‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever commits a Hadd (legally punishable sin) and his punishment is hastened for him in this world, then Allah is too just to repeat the punishment for His slave in the Hereafter. And whoever commits a Hadd but Allah concealed it for him and pardoned him, Allah is too generous to retract something He has pardoned."
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that if someone commits a sin that requires imposing a legally prescribed punishment, such as adultery or theft, and he is punished for it in this world, that punishment erases the sin and absolves him from its penalty in the Hereafter. This is because Allah is too generous and merciful to impose two punishments for the same sin on his slave. Moreover, if Allah conceals someone's sin in this world, and he is not punished for this sin, and Allah forgives and pardons him, then Allah Almighty is too gracious and generous to retract and punish for a sin He has already forgiven and pardoned.
Benefits
- The greatness of Allah's justice, generosity, and mercy.
- Implementing the legally prescribed punishment in this world expiates the sin.
- Anyone who commits a sin that requires a legally prescribed punishment should conceal himself by Allah's concealment and hasten to sincere repentance.
Source · Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah
From the Hadith Encyclopedia (hadeethenc.com).