Abu Abdur Rahman Salmi says that once Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon and said: O people! Carry out the prescribed punishments on your male and female slaves as well, whether they are married or unmarried, because once a slave woman of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) committed adultery. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered me to carry out the punishment on her. When I was about to carry out the prescribed punishment, I found out that her period of postnatal bleeding was still fresh. I feared that she might die from the lashes, so I went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned the whole matter. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You did well."