Epigraph:
O ye who believe! equitable retaliation in the matter of the slain is prescribed for you: the free man for the free man, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if one is granted any remission by one’s brother, then pursuing the matter for the realization of the blood money shall be done with fairness and the murderer shall pay him the blood money in a handsome manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. (Al Quran 2:179)
And the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives andhis act brings about reformation, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers. (Al Quran 42:41)
The Muslim Times’ Editor’s comments
In seventeenth century, in UK, capital punishment was prescribed for every petty crime, as there was no prison system. The legal system has evolved over the centuries, as described in the documentary.
This documentary and the history described here, in my view vindicates the teachings about capital punishment and cutting of hands of thieves, as mentioned in the Quran.
I hope that the West can benefit from the teaching of blood money, in Islam, when suitable conditions apply and the Muslims can learn to understand the Holy Quran in broader context and also learn from the history of law and order in the West, over the last five centuries.
Additional Reading
Benjamin Franklin: ‘Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed!’
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Categories: Capital Punishment, Law, Law and Religion, Law Enforcement, Qur'an, Quran, Sharia Law, Shariah Law, Video
Can community service take the place of blood money, i.e. if the accused person does not have enough money, s/he can do community service instead?
I am not a Mufti, but as far as I know/think it would have to be with the permission of the family of the victim. If the victim’s family would agree, why not.