Question Confining an individual to jail for a period of time that can extend to his whole life has become a normal means of punishment worldwide. Does Islam recommend any punishments of this nature? At times, it seems to be more humane to cut off a person’s hand or even to kill him (for murdering […]
Potential Government Censorship Issues
Question If a government decides to censor, in the interests of preserving the collective moral and spiritual cleansing process, by what standard must it go about censoring lewdness, violence, etc.? Ideas about what exactly constitutes “lewdness” differ from culture to culture. For example, here in the United States, a man and a woman kissing on […]
Does the Death Penalty Violate Human Dignity?
Question People who radically reject the death penalty claim that it violates the dignity of a human being. In my opinion these people obviously lack the appreciation of certain principles and values that Islam teaches us, thus they fail to understand the islamic perspective. I would be thankful if you could elaborate in detail on […]
Why is Rajam – Stoning to Death – for Adultery Not a Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)?
Question According to you the source of Sunnah is the consensus of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) and the practical perpetuation of the companions as well as all the subsequent generations of Muslims. Now, how do you know the consensus of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh)? Through Hadith? If yes, then you also […]
Regarding the Punishment of Murder Al-Israa 17: 33
Question Al-Israa 17:33 And do not kill any one whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause, and whoever is slain unjustly, We have indeed given to his heir authority, so let him not exceed the just limits in slaying; surely he is aided. Who is included in heir? If all do not agree […]
Significance of Intention in Committing a Crime…
Question My question is the following: Does the Penal Law of Islam establish an element of an intent when seeking a conviction of a crime? That is to say, must a person have a guilty mental state when committing the crime that has to be proven by the prosecution, or does a principle of strict […]
A Question Regarding the Implementation of Law Relating to Diyah – Blood Money
Question Islam allows a murderer to avoid his death punishment by paying blood money to the murdered person’s relatives. What is the reason behind this provision? Often slain’s relatives are easily bribed with huge amount of money and the murderer goes scot free. Is this not great injustice? How does Islam check this loop hole? […]
Violence & Murders Commanded by the Prophet (pbuh)
Question There are few occasions in history where some violence is recorded from the companions of the prophet by his own command. These are occasions like: the command to kill a poetess a man who was sentenced to death by the prophet only because he used to abuse the prophet and when the man says […]
The Punishment of Fornication – Clarification on Verse Al-Noor 24: 3
Question I could not completely understand the interpretation of the verse Surah Al-Nur: 3 The adulterer shall not marry save an adulteress or an idolatress, and the adulteress none shall marry save an adulterer or an idolater. All that is forbidden unto believers. Why is the Qur’an talking about adulteress or idolatress’ marriage in the […]
Is it in Consonance with the Spirit of the Shari`ah to Implement Punishments in Public?
Question Do you think it is better for an Islamic state to implement the punishments of the Shari’ah in public in order to instill the fear of God in the people — to provide vicious reminders of God’s amazing wrath? Or should certain punishments be secluded? Answer The Qur’an has expressly directed the Muslim state […]