The punishment for accusing someone of zina

Question

Question: A man defamed a girl, claiming that she had committed zina (fornication), but after investigation it became clear that she is innocent of this vice. What should the punishment of such a man be?

Answer

If someone makes an accusation of zina without proof recognized by the Shari‘a, the punishment for this according to the Shari‘a is eighty lashes. However, not everyone can carry out this punishment, nor can it be carried out everywhere: this authority belongs to the Islamic ruler. Therefore this man should repent (tawba) and seek Allah’s forgiveness (istighfar)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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