Hazrat Hanish bin Mu'tamir narrates that a man who had confessed to adultery was brought to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him, "Are you married?" He replied, "Yes." Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered that he be stoned. He was imprisoned. In the evening, Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned the incident to the people, and a man said that he had married a woman but had not yet consummated the marriage according to Shariah. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was pleased with this and, instead of ordering stoning, ordered only the prescribed punishment to be carried out, separated him from his wife, and gave the woman half of the dowry.