One of our companions asked Abu Abdullah (as), saying: "May I be your ransom, what is the ruling on a man sleeping with another man under one blanket?" Imam (as) asked: "Is he a close relative (mahram)?" The man replied: "No." Imam (as) asked: "Is it due to necessity?" The man said: "No." Imam (as) said: "They are each to be lashed thirty lashes." The man asked: "What if the act was committed?" Imam (as) replied: "If it was less than penetration, then the prescribed punishment (hadd) applies. But if penetration occurred, he is to be made to stand and struck with the sword, and the sword will take from him whatever it takes." The man asked: "So, that is execution?" Imam (as) replied: "That is correct." The man then asked: "And what if a woman sleeps with another woman under one blanket?" Imam (as) asked: "Is she a close relative (mahram)?" The man replied: "No." Imam (as) asked: "Is it due to necessity?" The man replied: "No." Imam (as) said: "They are each to be lashed thirty lashes." The man further asked: "And if they committed the act?" This greatly distressed Imam (as), and Imam (as) said: "Uff! Uff! Uff!" (three times), then said: "The prescribed punishment (hadd) applies."