saiqa-gellane
New Member
What is the philosophy of cutting hands in Islam ? Person who has no arms how he can survive in society ? And what Islam says about the victim of this punishment? Is not Islam making people unable to get their needs?
Assalam AleikumAssalam Aleikum,
It serves as a reminder not to steal. Yes it is a severe punishment, but it is easily avoided and works very effectively as a deterrent. In any case, it is prescribed by Allah subhanahu wa ta'alaa in the Qu'ran so we should not question it, but be grateful that He has provided it for the protection of society. Any by the way it works.
As far as the victim of the punishment is concerned, he should have thought about that before stealing.
Thanks.I believe Islamic punishments should only be applied when Islamic virtues are being applied.
Would a person who steals to survive be doing that if Islam's standard of charity is being applied? Islam is a flexible religion. Everyone who downloaded a movie or show, or song, should theoretically have their hand cut off. But that'd be insane.
Islam is about responsibility. Crimes are done by bad people, or crazy people, crazy and bad people can come from my family, your family, this and that family, society as a whole. When the virtues of Islam are applied, it's outrageous that someone would steal, or commit some other such crime, so harsh punishments are there to deter it.
JaZaK-ALLAHWa aleykum as salaam,
The punishment is there to protect society as a whole, which it does very effectively through its deterrent effect alhumdulillah. The thief is not a victim, he has brought it on himself and deserves what comes to him. In Islam our sympathy is for the victims of crime rather than for the perpetrator, which is often the way of the disbelievers. The punishment is intended to make the thief suffer during and afterwards, and is always carried out in public so that everyone can see for themsleves the consequences of disobeying Allah subhanahu wa ta'alaa.
Thanks.
After reading your reply I am confused. Can we make an excuse on the this punishment ? Like we can set hands cut punishment at one million? Or as you said Islam should be followed all but the fact of the time is we can't avoid (generalities) robbery of 3Denar (somehow). So when should must this punishment would be applied? And trounced person can take Zakkat?
Well, we should first look at issues or situations that cause people to steal. I mean, a person born into poverty is more likely to do crime than a person born in a well to do family. So a government's first task should be to eradicate those problems within society first.
Some "Islamic" groups are hell bent on applying harsh capital punishments to countries in which poverty is rampant. And that is the image that non-Muslims get of Sharia. They think it is only based on punishments. Many times, these punishments are carried out in very extreme and harsh manners.
Here is what I propose.The Qur'an allows for slavery, right?But Muslims have gotten rid of slavery now. So, we can get rid of some other things, right? Why don't we interpret those commands in a different light. For instance, imprisoning instead of cutting off hands. In cases where the theft is very serious, then those punishments (cutting hands) could be applied after long court processes. Plus, I am against public punishments. I do not want to see a person's hands getting cut off while just strolling around.
But in conclusion, let's fix our own countries first. Let's fix poverty. Then we can move to the next step and argue for specific punishments.
Well, we should first look at issues or situations that cause people to steal. I mean, a person born into poverty is more likely to do crime than a person born in a well to do family. So a government's first task should be to eradicate those problems within society first.
Some "Islamic" groups are hell bent on applying harsh capital punishments to countries in which poverty is rampant. And that is the image that non-Muslims get of Sharia. They think it is only based on punishments. Many times, these punishments are carried out in very extreme and harsh manners.
Here is what I propose. Early Muslims used to be slaveholders, but Muslims have gotten rid of slavery now. So, we can get rid of some other things, right? Why don't we interpret those commands in a different light. For instance, imprisoning instead of cutting off hands. In cases where the theft is very serious, then those punishments (cutting hands) could be applied after long court processes. Plus, I am against public punishments. I do not want to see a person's hands getting cut off while just strolling around.
But in conclusion, let's fix our own countries first. Let's fix poverty. Then we can move to the next step and argue for specific punishments.
Some "Islamic" groups are hell bent on applying harsh capital punishments to countries in which poverty is rampant. And that is the image that non-Muslims get of Sharia. They think it is only based on punishments. Many times, these punishments are carried out in very extreme and harsh manners.
It was helpful thanks.I believe Islamic punishments should only be applied when Islamic virtues are being applied.
What is the philosophy of cutting hands in Islam ? Person who has no arms how he can survive in society ? And what Islam says about the victim of this punishment? Is not Islam making people unable to get their needs?
Wa aleykum as salaam,
The thief is not a victim, he has brought it on himself and deserves what comes to him.
I urge you and myself never to comment things that we have understanding to.I can see in here many compromising and very heart-breaking comments(by muslims?!!)
I strongly disagree. While sometimes the thief is really guilty and not a victim, other times, poor living conditions force people to steal. What do you do about that?
Maybe the fight now is with a pen, or words.
Deuteronomy 25:11-12
King James Version (KJV)
11 When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:
12 Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy 25:11-12&version=KJV
Deuteronomy 25:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy 25:11-12&version=NIV
Whatever our personal opinions are about the rights and wrongs of this punishment may be - and yes it may seem severe and even horrific to some - we should not forget that it is from the Qu'ran, was practiced by the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and is there as a small part of a much wider package of laws created by Allah subhanahu wa ta'alaa to preserve a safe society and protect the innocent. Therefore we should be grateful for it alhumdulillah.
Consequently, the punishment for theft according to the Most Merciful is to mark or make a wound in the hand of the offender so that he would be shamed in front of the people.