Capital Punishment: Islam Against

Question 1

What are five points?

Answer 1

The Qur’an teaches that forgiveness is preferred
Some countries do not apply Shari’ah law properly
The Qur’an says that capital punishment is an option to be considered but is not compulsory
Qur’an permits alternative punishments
The scholars of Shari’ah law do not agree on when or how the death penalty should be applied

Question 2

The Qur’an teaches that forgiveness is preferred

Answer 2

“Let harm be repaid by an equal harm, though anyone who forgives and puts things right will have his reward from God Himself.” (Surah 42:40)
Muslims should act in a way that pleases Allah
Muslims should follow the teachings in the Qur’an

Question 3

Some countries do not apply Shari’ah law properly

Answer 3

This includes the trial not being fair, and has also been used to oppress women and the poor who receive the most sentences of capital punishment
This goes against the teachings of the Qur’an and therefore capital punishment, in these situations, should not be used

Question 4

The Qur’an says that capital punishment is an option to be considered but is not compulsory

Answer 4

If it is not compulsory then people may use other secular reasons for why it should not be allowed, such as it it violates human rights and is proven not to be a deterrent

Question 5

Qur’an permits alternative punishments

Answer 5

The family of a victim is permitted to pardon the criminal and accept a payment of ‘blood money’ from the murderer rather than an execution
This is compatible with the Qur’an and means capital punishment is unnecessary

Question 6

The scholars of Shari’ah law do not agree on when or how the death penalty should be applied

Answer 6

If they are learned in Islamic Law but cannot decide if it is acceptable then it would be safer to not enact the death penalty incase this angers Allah