(Mohammad Masood Ahmed (2025), Would You Like To Know Something About Islam, Second Edition, Crescent Books Inc., New York, USA. Pg. 291-299)

Though the Almighty Lord is most compassionate and Most Merciful, in order to do justice and to bring people to justice, he prescribed and outlined an equitable system of punishments. Human nature often leads to lawbreaking, moral deviations, and wrongdoing/sin. Without self control to manage harmful desires and prevent harm to oneself and others, a deterrent system is essential to safeguard individuals' rights and property, thus maintaining peace and security in society.

Allah instituted two types of punishment: one for our earthly existence and the other for the Hereafter. Similar to the fleeting nature of life and its delights, the punishments in this world are also transient. In contrast, the punishments reserved for the Hereafter are everlasting and significantly harsher. A thorough examination of Islam reveals that its punitive measures are grounded in justice, as Allah embodies perfect justice and wisdom.

Allah reveals:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ 30¹

And the misfortune that befalls you, it is because of what your hands earned, while He forgives much more.

In this world, compassionate individuals are not hard to find. They feel sorrow when tragedy occurs, whether it is caused by natural disasters or illnesses affecting others. Though these people would never harm anyone, they would advocate for amputating a severely damaged limb to save a life. They recognize that not removing a diseased or decayed part could jeopardize the well-being of the whole body.

Criminals represent a detrimental element in a civilized society. If not adequately separated, they can have a detrimental impact on the entire community, potentially leading to its downfall. To preserve societal integrity, it is crucial to discipline and appropriately punish criminal behavior. When a society is lenient towards criminals or fails to enforce penalties for offenses, its law-abiding citizens struggle to live peacefully and achieve progress in the right direction.

Everyone agrees that criminals require punishment, yet opinions diverge when it comes to determining suitable consequences for specific crimes, particularly capital punishment. If punishments are not effectively structured and enforced, the fundamental goal of punishment may be jeopardized. Therefore, society needs to establish what constitutes an appropriate punishment for each criminal act. Before making these decisions, it is crucial to assess the severity of the crime, as this helps distinguish between serious and less serious offenses.

In Islam, Muslims do not create laws; they simply follow and implement them. Allah is the lawgiver, fully aware of our needs and the right solutions to our issues, pains, and sufferings, along with their sources and remedies for societal problems. He understands the gravity of offenses and their impact on victims and society as a whole. Thus, He is the most qualified authority for enacting laws and deciding suitable punishments.

In a civil society, protecting individuals' lives and property is of paramount importance. Laws are created to shield these rights from criminal acts. They serve both to dissuade people from harming others and to impose penalties on those who do. Typically, most individuals follow the law, but the threat of punishment also acts as a deterrent against crime, even in desperate situations. When laws are feeble or the justice system fails to function effectively, people’s lives and properties are at risk, leading to a state of anarchy.

Capital Punishments

Islam incorporates a framework of capital punishments for severe offenses, even amidst its teachings of kindness and forgiveness. It promotes tolerance and patience among Muslims while mandating the strict enforcement of Islamic laws to ensure justice, especially when individuals infringe upon the rights of others concerning life and property. To steer Islamic society in a positive direction, followers are instructed to exhibit lawful kindness to both victims and those who have committed offenses. Kindness to victims entails delivering justice, whereas kindness to offenders means ensuring they are held accountable for their actions. By administering appropriate punishment to criminals, society can deter further offenses and help them escape the torments of Hell. Should Muslims neglect to punish wrongdoers, they risk accountability from Allah for failing to uphold justice for victims.

Islam implements a public punishment system to effectively deter crime, based on the idea that laws and penalties deter criminal behavior. When a crime is publicly punished, the thousands of witnesses gain direct insight into the repercussions of such actions, thus discouraging future offenses without incurring additional costs or efforts.

Often, those who engage in criminal behavior do not fully understand the repercussions of their actions, both for themselves and for others. The implementation of public punishment encourages individuals to reconsider their choices before engaging in criminal acts. I believe that a lack of awareness regarding the consequences prior to committing an offense is a significant contributor to crime. When people imagine experiencing public punishment, many opt for different paths, thus protecting themselves and others from harm, financial loss, and various burdens. I suggest that in societies with elevated crime rates, young people should be taken on tours of prisons and correctional facilities. This could potentially decrease crime rates and deter them from pursuing a life of crime.

The following verses illustrate the seriousness of crimes through the penalties imposed by the Lord. A thorough examination of these offenses and their consequences for individuals and society reveals that Allah’s prescribed punishments are not cruel or unjust; rather, they are clearly fair, reasonable, and advantageous. Indeed, our Lord cannot act unjustly toward any of His creations, including wrongdoers. However, to uphold societal order, justice must be served for the victims and their families.

Murder

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِصَاصُ فِي الْقَتْلَى الْحُرُّ بِالْحُرِّ وَالْعَبْدُ بِالْعَبْدِ وَالْأُنْثَى بِالْأُنْثَى فَمَنْ عُفِيَ لَهُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَيْءٌ فَاتِّبَاعٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَدَاءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَانٍ ذَلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ...   ۝  ²

O Muslims! It has been obligated upon you to avenge in the case of murder of innocent people: a freed man for a freed man and a slave for a slave, and a woman for a woman. Yes, for whom some forgiveness is granted from his brother, so demand blood money nicely, and it is to be paid gladly. This relief of punishment is from your Lord, and it is mercy…

وَلَكُمْ فِي الْقِصَاصِ حَيَاةٌ يَاأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ 179³

And there is life for you in avenging for murder, O people of reason! So, fear from now on.

وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا 93⁴

And he who intentionally killed a believer, so his punishment is Hell; in it he will remain for a long period. On him is Allah’s wrath, and Allah sent a curse on him and has set aside for him severe torment.

وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالْعَيْنَ بِالْعَيْنِ وَالْأَنْفَ بِالْأَنْفِ وَالْأُذُنَ بِالْأُذُنِ وَالسِّنَّ بِالسِّنِّ وَالْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ...    ۝  ⁵

And We prescribed unto them in this (Tawrah), that certainly, life for a life, eye for an eye, and nose for a nose, and ear for an ear, and tooth for a tooth, and for all wounds, a just reprisal…

The repercussions of an unjust murder are profoundly experienced by the victim’s dependents. The wrongful taking of a man not only deprives his wife of a cherished partner, leaving her without support or care, but it also strips away a father, who is a source of peace, security, and joy for his children. This loss denies them education, protection, independence, and a sense of well-being, rendering them completely bereft. It removes the financial provider from the family and leaves parents devastated by the loss of their son. Siblings who lose a brother who could have acted as a father figure are similarly affected. Such losses create chaos within the family and disrupt every aspect of life. If capital punishment is not implemented and injustices such as murders, rapes, and violent crimes are not addressed through severe consequences, societal progress will be stunted, and communities will suffer.

Certainly, Allah knows that human emotions can influence the delivery of justice. As a result, He did not allow individuals to impose punishments for capital crimes, as their attempts to achieve fairness might still lead to inadequate punishment for the guilty and insufficient justice for the victims. However, Allah’s standards of justice are inherently fair and just, regardless of our personal agreement or perceptions of them being unreasonable. There is profound wisdom behind such penalties. In murder cases, alongside punishing the offender, Allah exclusively grants the victim’s family the right to either forgive the murderer or seek diyat, a form of monetary compensation. ⁶

Theft

وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ 38⁷

And the male and female thief, cut off their hands, in revenge for the misdeeds they demonstrated, and as punishment from Allah, and Allah is All-Conquering, All-Wise.

Allah instructs the justice system to amputate a thief's hand as punishment for theft, following proper legal processes and considering mitigating factors. This punishment highlights the importance of safeguarding individuals' property and financial resources. For instance, a parent who has saved for their children’s education, marriage, or their own retirement can suffer greatly if someone were to steal their savings. Such offenders must face serious consequences. Therefore, hand amputation is both a suitable and necessary response, serving as a complete deterrent against theft.

In contemporary societies, securing money and property incurs costs in the billions, which the populace must shoulder. In Saudi Arabia, the Islamic legal punishment of hand amputation for theft is still practiced in certain cases. As a result, it is often said that if someone forgets or misplaces their valuables, they can typically retrieve them without fear of theft. As far as I can tell, the Saudi government and local businesses invest little in security measures against theft, nor do they allocate significant funds to protect their valuables. Incidents of theft in Saudi Arabia are almost unheard of.

Fornication and Adultery

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا 32⁸

And do not go near fornication/adultery, without a doubt, this is shamelessness and an evil way.

الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ 2⁹

The fornicator female and the fornicator male, so hit each one of them with 100 lashes. And let not come to you the slightest pity on them in regards to Allah’s Law, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And remain present at the time of their punishment, a group of Muslims.

In contemporary societies, adultery, fornication, and similar offenses may not be deemed illegal, and typically, no penalties are enforced for these actions. However, in Islam, these acts are considered highly sinful, and their punishments must be enforced.

If an unmarried person admits to the crime of fornication or is found guilty based on the testimony of four sane adult Muslim men, the punishment is one hundred lashes, as outlined in the verse. For the crime of adultery committed by married men and/or women, according to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet and his companions, they face the punishment of rajm (stoning to death).

Before discussing the severity of punishment for adultery, we must fully comprehend its gravity to understand the Islamic penalties associated with it. Simply put, this act undermines the sacred institution of marriage. It is disgraceful for a married couple to violate the very covenant that united them. Adultery undermines the trust between husband and wife, wreaks havoc on their family, and damages relationships with their children. Children may feel hopeless and undignified, often feeling abandoned and unsupported. This situation can lead to mental distress or even running away in shame, fracturing the family unit. It is shameful to disregard the religion one professes to follow. Adultery erodes an individual’s respect among friends, colleagues, and family. Ultimately, it is clear that Allah has prohibited it due to its shamelessness, immorality, and inherent evilness.

Engaging in fornication or adultery can lead to various issues such as diseases, depression, mistrust, financial difficulties, insecurity, and irresponsibility, which may escalate into criminal behavior. Furthermore, it places pressure on society through problems like abortions, rising medical costs, challenges with birth control, single parenthood, and children born outside of wedlock, who might grow up without discipline or moral guidance. This results not only in personal anguish for individuals but also carries consequences for the Hereafter in the form of punishment.

Extramarital affairs and other immoral actions completely ignore Allah’s commandments. Those who engage in adultery express clear contempt for Allah’s existence and directives. Allah possesses the right to be revered; committing such acts reflects a disregard for His wrath and justice. Furthermore, Allah is All-Aware, All-Hearing, and All-Knowing; yet, with these sins, the sinner overlooks these vital attributes. Allah holds supreme authority over everything: A delay in punishment from Allah does not imply that offenders will escape accountability for their mortal sins or that His justice is absent. People cannot escape Allah’s justice and the consequences that follow; this crucial point is often what individuals forget, leading them into sin.

Islam not only forbids these unethical actions but also offers ways to control and mitigate them. The best options are abstinence and self-control. It is extremely unwise to offend Allah for fleeting moments of pleasure; the trade-off simply isn't worth it. I trust my readers recognize the seriousness of this sinful behavior and the rationale behind the severe consequences it carries in Islam.

Alcohol

The Holy Quran explicitly forbids alcohol consumption. The punishment of lashing for drinking alcohol was prescribed by the Sunnah, with the specific number of lashes decided through ijma (scholarly consensus) ¹⁰. Every adult recognizes the severe repercussions of alcohol use. A straightforward commandment has helped billions avoid drinking—observe how eloquently Islam articulates and states that alcohol and other harmful actions are haram (prohibited) for its adherents.

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنْصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 90¹¹

O those who brought faith! Alcohol and gambling and idols and divining are in fact impure, works of Satan, so protect (yourself) from them, to acquire success.

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَ إِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا...    ۝  ¹²

They ask you about alcohol and gambling. Say, “Although in both there is great sin, and benefits for ordinary people; but their sin is far greater than their benefits…

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ 91¹³

Satan just wants to bring enmity among you and envy through alcohol and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of Allah and from salah. So will you now refrain?

Islam recognizes that while alcohol has some acknowledged benefits mentioned in the Quran, its negative effects far exceed its advantages. Those involved in the alcohol trade derive their income from it, while consumers often display increased levels of carnal desires. The significant drawbacks of alcohol consumption include, but are not limited to, degradation of dignity, impaired judgment and vision, temporary physical disabilities, heart issues, and other health complications, alongside squandering money on fleeting pleasures. Individuals who turn to alcohol seeking peace and comfort ultimately fail to find it, experiencing instead intensified stress, depression, and a variety of physical and mental health problems.

Frequently, individuals who drive under the influence cause disasters for themselves and others, leading to unforgettable and grievous offenses. Alcohol is a leading contributor to accidents and fatalities in nearly all civilized societies where drinking is prevalent. Despite widespread awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption, societies struggle to eradicate it entirely. Therefore, the Lord assumed the responsibility of prohibiting alcohol, protecting hundreds of millions of Muslims from its negative effects.

When Islamic laws and penalties for offenses or transgressions are applied, the true beneficiaries are the individuals who lead a wholesome, healthy, and peaceful existence, rather than Islam itself. Islam imparts benefits and genuine tranquility in this life, along with eternal success in the Hereafter. Currently, some Muslims are directly opposing Islamic values and prohibitions, resulting in detrimental outcomes. Allah is equitable to everyone, and ensuring justice for all is one of His attributes. While some of His mandated punishments may initially appear harsh and extreme, they are ultimately equitable, suitable, and correspond with the gravity of the offenses or transgressions committed.

False Accusation

وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَدًا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ 4¹⁵

And those who accuse chaste women and did not bring four witnesses, then strike them with 80 lashes, and do not accept their testimony ever. And they themselves are disobedient.

In the Qur’an, Allah emphasizes the seriousness of falsely accusing a woman of adultery by delineating the punishment. While it might initially appear trivial, in Islam, this constitutes a serious crime deserving of a severe penalty from Allah. Women’s chastity holds great significance before Allah, and those who falsely slander a virtuous woman face eighty lashes along with divine disapproval. Although this might seem stringent, it acts as an effective deterrent, enabling women to protect their honor.

• ¹  Holy Quran, Ash-Shura, 42: 30
• ²  Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah, 2: 178
• ³  Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah, 2: 179
• ⁴  Holy Quran, An-Nisa, 4: 93
• ⁵  Holy Quran, Al-Ma'idah, 5: 45
• ⁶  Holy Quran, An-Nisa, 4: 92
• ⁷  Holy Quran, Al-Ma'idah, 5: 38
• ⁸  Holy Quran, Al-Isra', 17: 32
• ⁹  Holy Quran, An-Nur, 24: 2
• ¹⁰  at-Tirmidhi and Abi Dawud
• ¹¹  Holy Quran, Al-Ma'idah, 5: 90
• ¹²  Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah, 2: 219
• ¹³  Holy Quran, Al-Ma'idah, 5: 91
• ¹⁵  Holy Quran, An-Nur, 24: 4