'Indeed she has made such a repentance that if it were to be divided among seventy from the people of Madīnah, it would be enough for them all. Has she found something better than offering her own soul to Allah, Glorified and Exalted?
عن أبي نُجَيد عمران بن حصين الخزاعي رضي الله عنه أن امرأة من جهينة أتت رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وهي حُبْلَى من الزنى، فقالت: يا رسول الله، أصبتُ حدًّا فَأَقِمْهُ عليَّ، فدعا نبيُّ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلِيَّهَا، فقال: «أَحْسِنْ إِلَيْهَا، فإذا وَضَعَتْ فَأْتِنِي» ففعل، فأمر بها نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فَشُدَّتْ عليها ثيابها، ثم أمر بها فَرُجِمَتْ، ثم صلى عليها. فقال له عمر: تُصَلِّي عليها يا رسول الله وقد زنت؟ قال: «لقد تابت توبةً لو قُسِمَتْ بين سبعين من أهل المدينة لَوَسِعَتْهُم، وهل وَجَدَتْ أفضل من أن جَادَتْ بنفسها لله عز وجل ؟!».
Explanation
A woman from the tribe of Juhaynah came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as she was pregnant from adultery. She asked him to apply the prescribed punishment to her. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called her guardian and told him to treat her kindly and then bring her to him after she delivers her baby.
When she gave birth, her guardian brought her to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who then ordered that her clothes be tied well around her so that her body would not be exposed, and then ordered stoning her to death. Afterwards, he offered the funeral prayer over her and made supplications for her. ‘Umar wondered why the Prophet prayed over her, despite the fact that she had fornicated.
Hence, the Prophet told him that she had made a great repentance that would be useful to seventy sinners from among the people of Madīnah, if it were to be spread over them. That is because the lady came willingly and submitted herself for the sake of Allah, so as to rid herself of her sin. Is there anything greater than what she did?
Source
Join 50,000+ Muslims
Download for free and never miss a prayer again