*Islamic Punishments: Strictness or Wisdom?*
✍🏻*Khaama Bakaf Muhammad Aadil Arriyavi*
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Respected readers, the fundamental purpose of Islamic teachings is to create a society that is based on justice, purity, peace, and mutual respect. When a society becomes a haven for crimes, obscenity, oppression, and injustice, then only soft and symbolic punishments cannot cure this corruption. Just as an expert physician sometimes prescribes a harsh and painful treatment to save a patient's life, similarly, Sharia also adopts measures that may seem strict at times for the sake of collective health and safety. This strictness is actually for the wider benefit of the society, the protection of future generations, and the establishment of collective peace.
Some people object that Sharia punishments are very strict and inappropriate for a civilized country and a civilized society. But they do not know that Islamic teachings are what make a country and society civilized, and violation of Islamic teachings spreads unrest, bad manners, and impoliteness.
Considering Islamic punishments as harsh is also a great folly because Islamic punishments are a means of making a person a true human being and bestowing peace and security to humanity. And if these punishments are compared with their crimes, even then the evil and wickedness of the crimes are far more severe than their punishments. And if Islamic punishments still seem harsh, then it should be understood that if there is no other effective treatment to avoid a deadly and dangerous disease except a major operation, then in such a situation, prescribing and choosing that major operation is called wisdom. If germs of disease take root in a person's organ and body in such a way that it is not possible to separate them from that organ and body, then in such a situation, separating that organ from the human body is a source of well-being, wisdom, and protection of hundreds of other organs, and if this is not done, then these germs gradually move to other organs of the human body and a time comes when they cause the destruction and devastation of the entire body.
The matter of some crimes in society is exactly the same. If a strict punishment is not issued, then the germs of these crimes engulf other members of the society and thus cause the destruction and devastation of others as well. Therefore, the Sharia has arranged to protect thousands and millions of people in the society from poisonous germs by issuing strong and firm punishments to some specific individuals.
This is the reason why when and in whatever society Islamic punishments are fully and correctly implemented and enforced, that society becomes a haven of complete peace and tranquility. And this apparent strictness is also limited only to the matter of Hudud (fixed punishments). Even in the matter of Hudud punishments, especially Zina (adultery/fornication, the punishment for which is stricter than other types of Hudud), the Sharia has set such strict and stringent conditions for the formal proof of the crime that if even one of these conditions is not found, or even a slight doubt arises in these conditions, then the Hadd (fixed punishment) is terminated and dropped, and then that punishment goes out of Hudud and enters into Tazir (discretionary punishment).
If this entire system and law of Sharia is considered, it is very moderate, and there is no room for doubt in it for a just and well-intentioned person. Yes, what is the cure for someone who is deprived of the blessing of justice and fairness, or who has learned a lesson of malice and animosity from the enemies of Islam, especially the Orientalists, regarding Islamic teachings?
Therefore, before objecting to Islamic punishments, it is necessary to understand their philosophy, wisdom, and objectives. If this system is considered with impartiality and fairness, it will be known that it is not only moderate and just but also has the potential to make human society truly civilized and peaceful.
May Allah Almighty grant sound mind and grant a correct understanding of the religion. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.