(2) باب مَا جَاءَ فِي دَرْءِ الْحُدُودِ .
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." (JA)
Reference (JA): Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1424 (JA)
In-book reference (JA): Book 17, Hadith 2 (JA)
English translation (JA): Vol. 3, Book 15, Hadith 1424 (JA)