If a person commits zina -

[truthseeker63]

If a person commits zina – for example – and does not know that zina is haraam, he will not be punished and is excused for his ignorance. But if a person knows that zina is haraam but he does not know that the one who commits zina deserves the hadd punishment, then he has no excuse and the hadd punishment must be carried out on him, if the conditions for that are met.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/20237

What if a Non Muslim or could be a Muslim commies a sin like zina and did not know it was haram ? What happens to people who comit sins out of ignorance
? Should they get the hadd punishment ?

 

[Ayyub]

Assalamou Alaikoum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Akhi there was once an explanation by Sheikh Ibn Utheymeen rahimahullah where he stated this:

The following is taken from the book: An Explanation of Riyadh al-Saliheen, Part One, by Imaam an-Nawawee, explanation by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen, Sajad ibn ‘Abdurrahman (trans.), Qur’an and Sunnah Society, 1998.

Chapter 2 - Taubah

Hadeeth no. 23

...

The Explanation

If it is questioned: Is it preferable for the individual who has committed fornication to present himself before the judge, and confess [to his crime] before him, in order for the punishment to be executed upon himself, or is it preferable to conceal that action?

This matter requires particularization: Perhaps an individual has sought sincere penitence, he regrets [his action] and recognizes himself that he shall not return [to it]. It is preferable for this individual not to present himself before [the judge] and inform him [about the deed], rather he ought to place that matter [as] a secret between himself and Allah. For whosoever seeks penitence towards Allah shall be forgiven by Him.

In relation to one who fears that his penitence is not sincere and that he will return to the [commission] of the misdeed on another occasion: It is preferable for this individual to present himself before the ruler – the judge – or an individual [who occupies a comparable position], and confess [to his crime] in order that the punishment may be executed. (p.257)

Hope it answers your question.

Wa'alaikoum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh