A Matter of His Honour
In another narration from Sahih Muslim, Abu Huraira (ra) states that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah asked the Holy Prophet (sa), “If I see someone with my wife, should I not do anything to him until I find four witnesses who actually saw them committing the ill deed?” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “Yes.” Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah submitted, “Certainly not, I swear by Him, Who has sent you with the truth that if this happened to me, I would immediately settle the matter with my sword” i.e., I would not search for a witness but would instead kill him. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said to the people [present], “Listen to what your leader is saying [i.e., referring to Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah]. He is filled with honour, but I possess an even greater sense of honour than him and Allah the Almighty has even greater honour.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Li‘an, Hadith 3763)
Then, in relation to this account, there is another hadith from Sahih Muslim. Hazrat Mughaira (ra) bin Sha‘ba relates that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah stated, “If I were to find anyone with my wife, I would kill them immediately. I would not kill him with the lower end of the blade but from the sharpened edge of the sword.” When the Holy Prophet (sa) heard this, he stated, “Are you amazed at the level of honour Sa‘d has? By God, I possess a greater sense of honour than him and God Almighty possesses an even greater honour. It is in fact owing to God’s great honour that He has forbidden immoralities and acts of indecency, whether committed in secret or openly. There is no one who possesses a greater sense of honour than God Almighty and there is no one who is more pleased than God in accepting repentance.” In other words, no one possesses a greater sense of honour than God Almighty and nor is anyone more pleased than Allah the Almighty in accepting repentance. The Holy Prophet (sa) further stated, “It is for this reason that God Almighty has declared His prophets as bearers of glad-tidings and as warners.” They give glad-tidings and warn people as well. “Moreover, there is no one who appreciates praise more than Allah the Almighty, it is for this reason that Allah the Almighty has promised heaven as a reward.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Li‘an, Hadith 3764)
To abstain from sins is in fact to praise God Almighty and it is for this reason that God Almighty has promised heaven. Thus, even though Allah the Almighty punishes, He does not do so immediately whereas man may display haste in his meting out punishment owing to his sense of honour. Allah the Almighty forgives one who seeks repentance and also rewards them. Thus, God Almighty not only forgives but then also rewards as well. Hence, the Holy Prophet(sa) stated that one should not exceed in their actions beyond the commandments of Allah the Almighty.