The answer is, simply: Muhammad. Per Qur’an 33:21, he is the supreme example of conduct for Muslims. Muhammad’s involvement in stonings is recorded in Sunni ahadith, and the tradition has clearly survived among Shi’ites as well. It doesn’t matter that stoning doesn’t appear in the Qur’an, because the notion of Islam as a sola scriptura faith is a far-fetched tool of apologists to make the Qur’an appear uncreated, and less dependent on the time and place in which it appeared. But the Qur’an-only movement is actually a minority view at variance with the prominent sects of Islam.
And then there’s this:
‘Umar said, “I am afraid that after a long time has passed, people may say, “We do not find the Verses of the Rajam (stoning to death) in the Holy Book,” and consequently they may go astray by leaving an obligation that Allah has revealed. Lo! I confirm that the penalty of Rajam be inflicted on him who commits illegal sexual intercourse, if he is already married and the crime is proved by witnesses or pregnancy or confession.” Sufyan added, “I have memorized this narration in this way.” ‘Umar added, “Surely Allah’s Apostle carried out the penalty of Rajam, and so did we after him” (Sahih Bukhari 8.82.816).
So the answer, again, is: Muhammad. “Iranian woman facing stoning: ‘I’m afraid of dying’,” from CNN, July 30:
London, England (CNN) — In a room thousands of miles from her prison cell in northeastern Iran, the fear that has gripped Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani for years was clear and almost palpable.
“The day I was given the stoning sentence, it was as if I fell into a deep hole and I lost consciousness,” said a human rights advocate, reading aloud from a letter attributed to Ashtiani. “Many nights, before sleeping, I think to myself how can anybody be prepared to throw stones at me; to aim at my face and hands? Why?”
And we’re told Islam “elevates” women — except usually, in Iran, that’s done with a noose and a crane. And Ashtiani may yet face that fate instead of stoning.
Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, was set to be stoned to death for allegedly committing adultery in Iran. Members of the International Committee Against Executions, who have launched a public campaign for her freedom, held a news conference Friday to share a letter they said was from Ashtiani, who is being held in a Tabriz prison, and court documents from her case.
“I thank all of you from Tabriz prison,” the letter said. Referring to advocate Mina Ahadi, Ashtiani wrote, “Mrs. Ahadi, tell everyone that I’m afraid of dying. Help me stay alive and hug my children.”…