Death penalty by beheading

Death penalty by beheading

From Ummat

In Saudi Arabia an Indonesian woman worker could not escape the death sentence and she was beheaded. Another woman worker, Nasiroh, was apparently spared from the death sentence and was sentenced to four years of imprisonment instead.

As a layman, I keep wondering: is Islamic syariah that sadistic? I imagine that experts in Islamic law from Moslem countries hold consultations in order to reach a common perception on the implementation of Islamic law, particularly concerning qishash (the death penalty).

As far as I know, since the age of the Prophet until the era of Khulafaur Rasyidin, Islamic law was implemented based on accurate, wise and articulate considerations. For example, a person was found guilty of stealing during a difficult time. The thief was dying of starvation, while most of his neighbors were rich but stingy. In spite of his guilt, the thief's hands were not cut off. On the contrary, the rich neighbors were penalized.

My conclusion is that Islam does not tolerate the act of stealing. But, more detestable is the action or condition that compels someone to steal.

ZULKARNAEN N.

Jakarta