Chapter Seven - Law and Punishment

CHAPTER SEVEN

Law and Punishment

THE BOOK GIVES rules.
And it gives consequences.

Some are warnings.
Some are direct.
Some are sharp as blades.

Murder is forbidden.
One life equals all of humanity.
Whoever kills one innocent person, it’s as if they’ve killed everyone.

But if there’s bloodshed, justice is allowed.
The killer may be killed.
Or the family may forgive.
Forgiveness is better, but not required.

Theft:
Cut off the hand.
That’s the law.
But only if it’s clear.
Only if the theft was serious.
Only if the conditions are met.

Mercy is always an option, but not a loophole.

Adultery:
A hundred lashes.
But only with four witnesses.
The standard is so high, it’s almost unreachable.
False accusation?
Lash the accuser.
They are liars, unless they repent.

Married adulterers? The book gives no penalty, and the stoning ruling comes from later legal tradition, not from the Quran.

Drinking:
First, the book warns against it.
Then it says don’t pray while drunk.
Then it says: stay away from it.
It causes more harm than good.
Eventually, it’s clear. Don’t go near it.
But the punishment?
Not in the book.
That came later.

Usury (Interest):
It is waging war against God.
The book is furious about it.
It says interest isn’t profit, but exploitation.
Give up what remains.
Don’t take more.
If the borrower is in hardship, give them time.
Or forgive the debt.

Bribery: forbidden.
Gambling: forbidden.
Cheating in trade: condemned.
Dishonest weights and measures: cursed.

The book demands fairness.
In contracts.
In buying and selling.
In testimony.

Justice must be absolute.
Even if it’s against your parents.
Even if it’s against yourself.
Even if it’s against the rich or powerful.

Do not let hatred sway you.
Do not let favoritism blind you.

Every deed is recorded, good or bad.
Written down by angels.
Nothing is missed.

A mustard seed’s worth of good counts.
A whisper of evil is seen.

The scales will be set on Judgment Day.
Nothing will be overlooked.

Those whose scales are heavy with good will succeed.
Those whose scales are light will fall.

But the book doesn’t just punish.
It invites repentance.

Whatever you’ve done, if you stop and turn back, God forgives.

The door is open until death draws near.

After that, when the final signs appear, repentance is no longer accepted.