Question1963) - What is Ihsan [state of being Muhsan]?

A: Ihsan of stoning* is for the perpetrator to be a free, sane, adult Muslim who has had sex with his wife from a correct marriage* It is a condition that both husband and wife must be Muhsan.*

* As distinguished from Ihsan of slander which does not have the conditions of marriage and sex.

* As distiguished from a Fasid marriage e.g. marriage without witnesses.

* Each has to be Muhsan for the other to be Muhsan' Thus if a freewoman or a slave-girl marries a slave then there is no Ihsan unless he has sex with her after manumission. The Ihsan only counts thereafter. So if a Zimmi has adultery with a Muslimah then accepts Islam he will be lashed not stoned.

~ al-Quduri ~