Hadith 2
The Book on Legal Punishments (Al-Hudud)
Narrated 'Aishah:
that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Avert the legal penalties from the Muslims as much as possible, if he has a way out then leave him to his way, for if the Imam makes a mistake in forgiving it would be better than making mistake in punishment."
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الأَسْوَدِ أَبُو عَمْرٍو الْبَصْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
ادْرَءُوا الْحُدُودَ عَنِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَهُ مَخْرَجٌ فَخَلُّوا سَبِيلَهُ فَإِنَّ الإِمَامَ أَنْ يُخْطِئَ فِي الْعَفْوِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ يُخْطِئَ فِي الْعُقُوبَةِ
Hadith gradings, numbering and translations can differ between editions. For legal rulings or detailed interpretation, consult qualified scholarship and the referenced edition.