Are Islamic punishments just or harsh?

Just

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by Zainib Ahmad

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Islamic punishments are well-known for being harsh and I am not surprised at all. The Press around the world highlights specific incidents and the world gasps and recoils in horror. I gasp and recoil along with the rest but with something worse than horror. I am appalled at the degree to which Islam is misunderstood, especially by Muslims. The Quran is the holy test that guides us to a better life and a safer society. How many people have really read the Quran and tried in all fairness to understand it's laws? How many just rely on the "rulings" of "religious leaders"? An open, honest reading of the Quran teaches us that this sacred text is applicable for all times to come, but our own minds need to move with the times. We cannot read an enlightened text with preconceived ideas coloring everything we read.

Does Islam prescribe death as the punishment for apostasy? Absolutely not. A person who was born a Muslim and wants to change his religion can do so. Someone who converted to Islam and later on wants to change their faith, does not face punishment from any Muslim government or individual. "There is no compulsion in religion". How can Muslims quote this text left and right and yet not truly believe in it. The Quran does tell us that a person who leaves his or her faith for worldly benefits, will be punished by Allah. It does not issue a death threat. The only case when a punishment is due, or happened in the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was when the apostate left the Muslims to join the enemy in time of war and was charged with treason.

What about death threats against those who malign Prophet Muhammad or the Quran? The Quran advises the Prophet to be patient and forbearing. He faced the worst kind of abuse yet he never responded in kind. He never advised or ordered his companions to kill people for insulting him. If some Muslims have learned to react violently to any abuse directed at their beloved Prophet, it is entirely their own mistake, fueled by the mullah mentality of half- baked, self-serving, so-called imams and leaders. It is naturally upsetting to learn that our Prophet was insulted, but if we react like rabid dogs instead of civilized human beings, we are the ones causing the insult and giving Islam a bad name.

In Islam, the punishment for adultery is NOT STONING TO DEATH. The Quran prescribes the punishment as flogging, that is meant to humiliate and chastise, not kill. Stoning to death was the punishment in the Jewish law and wherever the Prophet gave that punishment was either before the Islamic punishment was revealed, or when he was judging the case of a Jew, in which case he used their scriptures to judge. Another thing to remember is that four witnesses need to testify before this punishment is levied. Not many cases would meet that criteria. It seems to me that public indecency is discouraged here. Why would the Quran speak of repentance being accepted and Allah being Forgiving and Merciful, if every mistake were severely punished by death or dismemberment?

In our modern society, loose sexual relations are sadly becoming the norm. Yet don't all of us see the consequences of this acceptance of what is clearly wrong? Teenagers are supposed to be uncontrolled sex machines because we give them sanction to be just that. Their parents are modeling that behavior for them. If parents and society gave out the clear message of abstinence before marriage and faithfulness to one's spouse, we would all sleep easier. Islam's rules are preventive medicine pure and simple. No doubt a women who has slept with five different boyfriends and "lives" with the sixth, would think Islam's laws harsh. Islam fits all times, yet it does not "move with the times" by approving of the perversions of society. Should religion tell us the right thing to do or just sanction whatever we want to do?

Cutting off the hand for stealing is prescribed as the final punishment for theft, and can only be prescribed when the thief is a repeat offender and has been given a second chance. In my opinion, and that of some scholars, "cutting of the hand" can be interpreted to mean, "stopping the person from committing further crimes". Imprisonment can work fine for that. Arabic language is full of similes and metaphors and in many cases, a superficial study leads to misunderstandings.

Ca pital punishments are accepted in America and Islam advocates them. Islam also strongly advocates mercy. Relatives of the victim may seek the capital punishment or they may accept blood-money. Of course this can only apply to cases where there is clear proof of the identity of the murderer.

Islam is rational, tolerant, peaceful and inspiring. "Barbaric" is not a word that can describe a religion from a God who has enjoined mercy on Himself, "and for this did He create them" (11:119). Muslims wake up and read the Quran for yourself. Chose a leader or imam who can really guide you to what true Islam is. People of other faiths are invited to learn more at muslim.org or aaiil.org, websites that promote the true Islam.

Discipline is also called tough love. Parents struggle with it yet we know we have to set limits. We know that there have to be consequences. We know that love alone is seldom enough to raise a great child. Allah loves us more than all parents of the world put together. Allah is Justice and Mercy, but we cannot expect mercy when justice is the answer. An oncologist knows in his wisdom when surgery is required to remove a cancer. Is surgery harsh? You bet.If we can trust a surgeon to cut us open for our benefit, why cannot we trust our God, to treat our sins with His punishment?

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