All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
The Prophet hoped that he would not find evidence that would necessitate implementing the Hadd on them. The adulterers who were stoned were Maa’iz and Al-Ghaamidiyyah who came confessing their sins and wanting to receive atonement with certainty; so they chose to have the Hadd implemented on them. Please refer to Fatwa 182875.
It should be noted that that who committed Zina is not obliged to come to the governor and admit committing Zina; rather, it is permissible for him/her to repent to his/her Lord and conceal his/her sin. Indeed, the Prophet urged people to conceal their sins as he said: “Abstain from the abominations which Allaah has forbidden; and whoever happens to commit any of them, let him conceal himself by the concealment of Allaah, and let him repent to Allaah, because if anyone discloses his deeds to us, we will punish him as prescribed in the Book of Allaah.” [Al-Bayhaqui and Al-Haakim]
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 81620.
Tolerance with those who have committed what requires a Hadd such as theft, Zina and other sins is permissible as long as this does not reach the governor. If the matter reaches the governor, then there is no tolerance or pardon or intercession; rather, the governor must execute the Hadd.
‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb reported from his father, from his grandfather, (i.e. Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ) that the Prophet said: “Forgive the transgressions of the statutes of Allaah among yourselves, for if I hear of any transgression, then the penalty for it is incumbent.” [Abu Daawood - Al-Haakim and Ibn Hajar classified it as Saheeh (sound)] The Hadeeth that was mentioned earlier also indicates this meaning.
Allaah Knows best.