The punishment for making a false accusation

Question

Question: If a Muslim wrongfully brings a false accusation against some Muslim, what is the ruling on this? Kindly set out the proofs according to the Qur’an and hadith, with references to the books.

Answer

It is necessary for such a person to ask forgiveness of the one against whom he made the false accusation. If that person forgives him, and he sincerely repents of doing such a thing in future, then well and good; otherwise he should be punished by the severing of relations and the like, until, driven to the end of his endurance, he repents.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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