It is in human nature to break the law under the influence of Nafs-e- ’Amm┐rah, which incites a person to commit a crime in violation of commandments of Isl┐m or laws of the land. Isl┐m being D┘n Fi═rat corresponds to human nature and in this respect, every arrangement has been made to promote peace and tranquility in the society and curb the crimes of various natures ranging from minor to heinous one.

It must be borne in mind that it is not the policy of law giver to award his servant stringent punishment of ╓add at all cost rather there seems to be tacit inclination on part of the law giver to ward off punishment from a person if he, as a human being, committed any crime that comes within the purview of ╓add, if there is slightest reason to do so. Secondly, the conditions prescribed for proving ╓add crimes are so hard that compel a person to think for a while that whether fulfillment of these conditions are possible to prove any crime if there is no confession on part of a person involved. Thirdly, it has been emphasized not to propagate and give publicity of the commission of these heinous crimes in public. This principle becomes evident from the following traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) that:

It was narrated from ‘Amr bin shir‘aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet said: “Pardon matters that may deserve a ╓add punishment, before you bring it to my attention, for whatever is brought to my attention, the ╓add punishment becomes binding”.1 The meaning of this tradition is that: ╓ud┴d crimes if committed, it should not be publicized in society rather it is preferable to resolve the matter before reaching to the court of Justice. If it is reached there, then there will be no compromise, no relaxation and no recommendation, rather it will be decided on merit. On proving the crime beyond a shadow of doubt, the fixed punishment will be awarded. This principle has been specifically mentioned in the Holy Qur’┐n in the context of the crime of ╓ir┐ba. It also appeared in another tradition that as reported by ╓a╔rat ‘└isha (R.A) from the Holy Prophet that: “Ward off ╓add punishment from the Muslims as much as possible. If there is any way to acquit him, let him be freed without and punishment. It is better for the man in authority to err in giving pardon to an accused than making error in awarding ╓add punishment.”2 In Ma’iz Aslami and Ghamidiyyah cases, the Holy Prophet persuaded them to retract from confession made by them. This also signifies that there are strong arguments in favor of complete acquittal or reduction in the quantum of punishment.

The human nature and mind varies. There are peoples, for them, mere admonition is sufficient to reform them, yet there are peoples who never reform and commit crimes time and again, till you exterminate them. For such type of people, stringent punishments have been prescribed by the lawgiver. The justification of such severe punishment is based on public interest. (مصلحت عامہ) The Shariah gives top priority to protection of lives, Religion, Sense, Property and progeny and it has been termed as Maq╖id al Shari‘ah or objectives of Islamic law. It is inevitable to fulfill these Maq┐╖id to secure the interest of the society.

In classical books of Jurisprudence, we find instances where a punishment for certain crimes are either reduced or enhanced keeping in view the circumstances of the crime, criminal and the specific situation which compelled him to commit a crime. This includes all crimes whether come within purview of ╓ud┴d, Qi╖┐╖, Ta‘z┘r or punishment awarded under the doctrine of Siyasat al Shar‘iyyah. For example, in a crime of Sariqa or theft, if a person committed theft is needy or destitute and in extreme hunger or such other situations compelled him to commit a crime of theft to save his life, he will not be awarded the prescribed punishment of ╓add or imputation of hand rather lighter punishment is awarded or exonerated completely. Likewise, if the worth of the stolen property is less than one forth of a prize of Din┐r, or less than the required quantity or Nis┐b, the person will not be awarded the prescribed punishment. During the era of ╓a╔rat ‘Umar (R.A), a person committed a crime of theft by stealing a camel of another person. When he slaughtered the camel, the matter came into the kind notice of ╓a╔rat ‘Umar (R.A). First of all, ╓a╔rat ‘Umar decided to implement the prescribed punishment of theft that is the imputation of hand but soon after reconsidered/reviewed his previous decision and awarded him the punishment of fine by doubling the price of camel on the grounds that the circumstances might have compelled him to commit this crime. He firstly asked the actual price of the camel and then doubled it. 3

Secondly, the sayings of the holy Prophet (SAWW) for such circumstances are well known. It is reported from the Holy Prophet to have been said that: “لاقطعة في مجاعة المضطر" “There is no imputation in unavoidable circumstances of extreme hunger.”4 During famine, ╓a╔rat ‘Umar had suspended the punishment of ╓add for the crime of Sariqa. The detail of this incident adorns the books of history.5 Likewise, if a crime of Zin┐ is committed in unavoidable circumstances, like a woman faces extreme hunger or thirst and she asks for food or water but a person becomes ready on a condition that she agrees to provide him an opportunity of sexual intercourse. If the circumstance is that her life is in danger if she consumes no food or water and thus she agrees on a commission of Zin┐ to protect her life, the principle of compulsion will apply here and she will be awarded no ╓add punishment and the circumstances of mitigating will arise here.6

In the holy Qur’┐n, the punishment of slave girl as compare to free woman, is half if they commit a crime of obscenity. It appeared in the holy Qur’┐n that:

فإذا اُحْصِنَّ فَاِنْ اَتَيْنَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَي الْمُحْصَنٰتِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ الْعَنَتَ مِنْكُمْ وَاَنْ تَصْبِرُوْا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ -

“So, once they have been bound in marriage, then, if they commit a shameful act, they shall be liable to half of the punishment prescribed for the free women. That is for those of you who apprehend to indulge in sin. But that you be patient is better for you. All┐h is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful” 7

As mentioned above, the punishment of slave girl as compared to free woman is half in crimes of ╓ud┴d including Zin┐. Likewise, the punishment of high profile free women is double as compared to a slave girl. The holy Qur’┐n has discriminated between them in terms of punishment while kept them at par in matters of belief, performance of religious obligations, cleanliness of body, prayers and fasting but again discriminated them in performing religious obligations like paying Zakat and performing ╓ajj. All┐h almighty says that:

يٰنِساءَ النَّبِيِّ مَنْ يَّاْتِ مِنْكُنَّ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُّبَيِّنَةٍ يُّضٰعَفْ لَهَا العذاب ضعفين وَكَانَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَي اللّٰهِ يَسِيْرًا-

“O wives of the Prophet, whoever from amongst you will commit a clearly shameful act, the punishment will be double for her; and it is easy for All┐h to do so”8

It also appeared in the holy Qur’┐n about double reward for doing righteous acts.

وَمَنْ يَّقْنُتْ مِنْكُنَّ لِله وَرَسُوْلِه وَتَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا نُّؤْتِهَآ اَجْرَهَا مَرَّتَيْنِ وَاَعْتَدْنَالَهَا رِزْقَاكَرِيْمَا-

And whoever of you stays obedient to All┐h and His messenger, and acts righteously, We shall give her twice her reward, and We have prepared for her a prestigious provision.9 In the light of this verse, the concept of double reward for righteous act and less punishment for committing a crime in adverse circumstances is a hot topic of Islamic jurisprudence and the jurists have discussed this issue in detail and the commentators of the Holy Qur’┐n have derived arguments from these verses in their respective commentaries. ‘All┐ma Qur═ub┘ writes about the double punishment for the wives of the Holy Prophet and other high profile women that they have been blessed with every facility of the world and has higher status in the society.

"لشرف منزلتهن و فضل درجتهن و تقدمهن على سائرالنساء "

Because of their higher status, honor and preference over entire women, their punishment has been enhanced as compared to others.10

’Abu Bakar Ja╖╖┐╖ writes about lesser punishment for those, not blessed with higher status and other worldly facilities that: “Since the blessing of God upon these less fortunate people is less as compared to others that is why their punishment for committing crimes under Hud┴d is half. The punishment of women of higher status is double as compare to slaves because the blessings of God upon them are innumerable, that is why the punishment for committing crime by them, is severe. 11

About the lesser punishment for slave girls, Mawl┐n┐ Mawd┴d┘ writes in his celebrated commentary, The meaning of Qur’┐n that:”As regards the lighter punishment for adulterous slave girl than for a free Muslim woman, it is based on the fact that the latter enjoys double protection as compared with the former, the protection of the family (even though she is married). In contrast to a free woman, a slave girl does not enjoy any protection at all, if she is unmarried, even her marriage does not make her position equal to that of an un-married free Muslim woman, for the latter enjoys the protection of her status, her family, her clan etc. On the other hand, a slave girl still remains, to some extent, under the bondage of slavery and has no protection of the family, clan etc. Therefore her punishment should be half of an un-married free woman and not half of a free married woman.12

About the enhancement or double punishment for the women of noble background as compare to slave girls, Mawl┐na Mawd┴d┘ says that:”The reason for giving double punishment for a sin and a double reward for a good work is that those whom All┐h honors with high rank in society generally become the leaders of men and the majority of the good people follow them for good or for evil. Thus, their evil does not remain evil but becomes the cause of a people’s degeneration, and their goodness does not remain their own goodness but becomes the cause of the true success of many other people also. Therefore, when they commit evil they are punished for their own as well as for other’s degeneration, and when they do good they are not only awarded for their own good works but also for this that they guided others also to do good. 13

While awarding the punishment of Rajam, it is necessary that the man and woman who have committed Zin┐ must be married free Muslim. But the jurists of various schools of thought are not agreed on the definition of I╒s┐n and Mo╒s┐n. The general principle is that once a person got married, he or she becomes Mo╒s┐n or Mu╒╖ana even if one of them died or a divorce took place. This is the view point of majority of the jurists. This rule is opposed by shi‘ah Imamia and even the renowned commentator of the Holy Qur’┐n, ’All┐ma Rash┘d Ra╔┐ has opposed this viewpoint. ’All┐ma Rash┘d Ra╔┐ writes while explaining the word ’I╒s┐n that the word A╒san is derived from ╓asana which means protected place where entry is banned. It is also said that the word ╓asanat al Mar’a( ( حصنت المراءis used in the sense of pious woman. These words are used in relation to a woman who is married. Since she comes in the protective custody of a man (her husband) and it is said that as soon as she is married, her parents make her Mo╒╖ina. It is one of the characteristic of a married woman that she prohibits her husband from going other woman except his wife. ‘All┐ma has opposed the view that a woman becomes Mo╒sina when she is once married though she might have been divorced or becomes widow later. According to him, since she does not enjoy the requisite advantages of I╒s┐n or being called Mu╒san, if she has no husband who can protect her. Once she is separated in the manner aforesaid, she cannot be called Mu╒sina in the same manner as she cannot be called Mutazawijah (married), or a traveler who has just returned from the journey cannot be called a traveler or again a patient who regains his health can no more be known as patient.14

According Shi‘a Im┐mia, Mu╒╖an and Mu╒╖ana means a person who is properly married and who is in a position to enjoy the company of the spouse. The Fiqh of Im┐mia does not consider a person as Mu╒╖an or Mu╒╖ana whose spouse is not with him/her. The same view is supported by ‘All┐ma Rash┘d Ra╔┐ as mentioned earlier.15

Those who oppose the punishment of Rajam, are of the view that only hundred strips is the ╓add punishment both for married man and woman who commit fornication. According to them, the punishment of Rajm neither can be doubled for the women of higher status as the wives of the holy Prophet nor can be halved for slave girls. it is pertinent to mention here the view point of acclaimed commentators about the word fa╒isha as appeared in the verse regarding the wives of the holy prophet is that it is not permissible to derive the meaning of Zin┐ from this word or attribute the heinous crime of Zin┐ towards the wives of the Holy Prophet. Here it means “Nush┤z”or disobedient and not following the high moral values prescribed for the wives of the Holy Prophet (SAWW).

The net result of this difference between various schools of thought is that mitigating circumstances arise when a person who is once married but due to divorce or separation or a person is miles away from his wife and not in a position to enjoy her company. If such person committed Zin┐, he or she will not be awarded the punishment of stoning. This view point is not supported by the majority of the jurists.

In preceding pages, we have mentioned that if a respectable personality, specifically the wives of the holy Prophet, commit any crime of obscenity, they will be awarded double punishment because, their influence, honor and respect. Generally speaking a known personality has the capacity to shift or influence other peoples by his acts, life style and manners and thus his individual act does not remain mere an act of a single person but affect the whole society. The other people intentionally or unintentionally follow him. That is why double punishment has been prescribed. In Ta‘z┘r, it is totally different and applied in a different way. If a respectable member of the society commits a crime other then ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖, he will be treated differently as compared to an individual who is habitual and commits a crime time and again. For such type of people, i.e respectable members of the society, mere appearance before the S.H.O or mere admonition is sufficient to reform or deter them from committing a crime.

In this respect, the following tradition of the holy Prophet is referred. The tradition says that:- اقيلوا ذوی الهيئات عثراتهم الا الحدود(Pardon the wrong done by the nobles of the society except the crime of ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖.16 In the above cited two cases, the circumstances compel to enhance or mitigate the prescribed punishment. If a respectable person of the locality, as a human being committed any crime which comes within the purview of Ta‘z┘r, he deserves less punishment keeping in view his respect in the locality and excellent previous record but, if he repeated the same crime or committed any other crime for a second time, in a subsequent period, he deserves no such concession or relaxation being respectable person of the locality rather he will be awarded harsh punishment like others.17 In the same manner, if a ╓add crime is committed in a war zone during war with enemy, ╓add punishment will not be implemented. In this respect, the case of Kh┐lid bin Wal┘d can be referred. The detail is that, in a war Zone, some captives were kept in a place and it was extremely cold weather. Kh┐lid bin Wal┘d told the guards of the arrested captives that:ادفؤوا أسراكم “keep your prisoners warm “The word “ادفؤو”in some dialect of that area, this word was also used in the meaning of killing. The guards of the prisoners presumed that the commander in Chief has ordered them to kill the prisoners. So they killed all of them. When the matter was brought into the notice of ╓a╘rat Abu Bakar Sidd┘q, he did not order to punish the guards nor Commander in Chief.18

The vast majority of the jurists opine that if the criminal is incorrigible and his activities have created total unrest in the society and the life, properties and honor of the members of society is not protected, in such circumstances, the head of the State or Ulil ’Amr is empowered to award him death punishment under Ta‘z┘r. His extermination would result in peace in the society. However, this principle or verdict is criticized and opposed on the following grounds. Ta‘z┘r punishment is designed to reform the offender, as mentioned earlier. Therefore, generally, capital punishment is not allowed. If a criminal is exterminated, the question of reformation does not arise. Those who oppose the capital punishment, they place reliance on the following two traditions: In these two traditions of the Holy Prophet it has been held that: لا يحل دم إمرأ مسلم إلا بأحدا ثلاثة كفر بعد إيمان،زنا بعد إحصان،قتل نفس بالنفس

“It is not permissible to take the life of any person except in the following three situations: (1) Converting to other religion after accepting Isl┐m..(2)Committing adultery after marriage fulfilling the conditions of I╒s┐n. (3) Execution by way of Qi╖┐╖ for unlawful killing of innocent person. In a situation other than these, it is impermissible to take the life of other.19

In the above cited tradition, two other situations have not been mentioned. In the holy Qur’┐n, we find the detail of death punishment in ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖ which are as under: There are four cases where death punishment can be awarded in ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖ in the light of commandments appeared in the Holy Qur’┐n and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. Three of them relate to ╓ud┴d and one of them relates to Qi╖┐╖ and Diyat laws. The first one is Z┐n┘ Mo╒san or Mo╒sana, who is a Muslim, sane, free and adult if commits zin┐, shall be killed by stoning provided that the crime is proved in the way as provided by the shar┘‘ah. Secondly, whoever being an adult is guilty of ╓ir┐bah, in the course of which he commits murder also, he will be given death punishment by way of ╓add in the light of Qur‘┐nic commandments. Thirdly, if a Muslim who is not insane becomes apostate or converts to other religion, he will be awarded death punishment in the light of sayings of the holy Prophet (pbuh) that” Kill the person who after accepting Isl┐m, converted to other religion. Lastly, the rebels who come out revolting against the rightful Im┐m, shall be killed if they refuse allegiance. All┐h almighty says that:

وإن طآئِفتان من المؤمنين اقتتلوا فأصلحوا بينهما فإن بغت إحداهما على الأخرى فقاتلوا التى تبغى حتى تفئى الى امرالله فان فآءت فأصلحو بينهما بالعدل واقسطوا إن الله يحب المقسطين –

And if two parties of the believers fall to mutual fighting, then make reconciliation between the twain. Then if one of them rebelled against the other, fight that party which rebelled till it returned unto the affair of All┐h; then if it returned, make reconciliation between the twain with justice and be equitable; verily All┐h loveth the equitable.20

Though the punishment for the crime of Bagh┐wat بغاوت has been prescribed in the holy Qur‘┐n but this law is not included in the list of ╓udd┴d laws enforced in Pakistan but there are certain provisions in Pakistan Penal Code where the death punishment has been prescribed for similar crimes, under Sections 121, 132 of Pakistan Penal Code 1860. Those who oppose death punishment by way of Ta‘zir, derive arguments from the following tradition. من بلغ حدا في غير حد فهومن المعتدين “The person who while awarding punishment in crimes other than ╓ud┴d, if raised the quantum of punishment equal to ╓ud┴d, he is the transgressor”.21 The jurists of Isl┐m have discussed this issue also and it transpires from their discussion that: Where the whipping or stripe have been fixed as ╓add punishment, the punishment of whipping under Ta’z┘r cannot exceed ╓add punishment. In ‘Umdah al Q┐r┘, Badrudd┘n ‘Ain┘ has mentioned this tradition as abrogated by the Qur’┐nic verse ومن قتل نفسا بغير نفس او فسادا الخ 22

The jurists of various schools of thought have fixed death punishment under Ta‘z┘r for various crimes with minor differences. The detail is as under:

1. The Muslim spy shall be awarded death penalty as a Ta‘z┘r punishment when it becomes necessary for public good. This opinion is supported by Im┐m M┐lik and Im┐m A╒med bin ╓anbal and there are instances and precedents in Isl┐mic history.
2. The person calling upon the Muslims to accept innovation in their faith. (الداعی الی البدعة) shall be awarded death punishment under Ta‘z┘r. ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Az┘z had awarded death penalty to one Ghil┐nul Qudr┘ who used to call upon the Muslims to accept innovation in their faith. This viewpoint is supported by Im┐m M┐lik, Im┐m sh┐f‘i and Im┐m A╒med bin ╓anbal.
3. The third one is the person who is incorrigible and cannot be reformed by applying other tactics. In Arabic, such person is called (من لا یزول فسادہ الا بالقتل) “The person one cannot get rid of his mischievous activities unless he is killed” When It becomes absolutely essential and the offender is so incorrigible that all endeavor to reform him proves futile and it become also necessary to exterminate him in order to safeguard the society against the evil effects of his acts, such person shall be eliminated. Im┐m Abu ╓anif┐ opposed this view point.23 A jurist was asked that is it permissible to kill a person if one finds a person with his wife in objectionable condition? The Jurist replied that if it is possible to stop the rapist by mere intimidation and warning from committing zin┐, then the killing of such person is not allowed, otherwise the husband is authorized to kill him. From this kind of permission, it reveals that in certain circumstances, extraordinary steps are taken to counter or eradicate the crimes.24There is divergence of opinion amongst the Jurists about death penalty by way of Ta‘z┘r. The offences for which ╓anafi award death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r or chastisement, are treated differently by the Jamhoor (Majority of jurists). They regard such penalty as Qi╖┐╖ or ╓add. According to Hanafi jurists, the person who kills another person by using some heavy thing (القتل بالمثقل ) shall be executed by way of Ta’z┘r. likewise, the one who commits sodomy, shall be awarded death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r. While according to Jamh┴r, the one who commits murder by using some heavy thing or commits sodomy, the former shall be awarded punishment by way of Qi╖┐╖ while the later shall be awarded punishment by way of ╓add. 25

According to M┐lik┘, ╓anbal┘ and Sh┐f‘┘ Jurists, the person who calls upon Muslims to accept innovation in their faith shall be punished by way of Ta‘z┘r while ╓anaf┘ consider such person as Murtad, (مرتد) and propose to award him punishment by way of ╓add. The person who commits blasphemy or utter, derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet peace be upon him shall be killed by way of Ta‘z┘r. Likewise, sorcerer or Zind┘q (زندیق) or the person who repeatedly commits theft shall be killed by way of Ta‘z┘r.26 Most of the Jurists maintain that Imam is empowered to award death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r when public good require it or the life of the offender poses the danger of perpetration of evil caused by him which can only be eradicated by his execution.

In this respect, ‘Abd al ‘Az┘z ‘└mir, the author of (التعزیر فی شریعة الاسلامية) writes that: I say, death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r is permissible, because to depend only on ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖, not only tantamounts non adherence to law giver's object of punishment but is also considered to be irrational and against sense. There are offences more heinous then those for which death punishment has been prescribed by way of ╓add and Qi╖┐╖. There are also some habitual offenders, they not only commit crimes but also try to commit more heinous crimes in horrifying manner. No punishment how severe and stringent it may be, will deter them from committing crimes. So to save the society from their evil effects, it becomes necessary to exterminate them. Some of the offences are of such nature which not only destroy the peace and security of the country but become detrimental for religion and faith also; therefore, to eradicate the evil effect of such crimes and to protect the society, it becomes necessary to award death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r.27

The jurists of Isl┐m have prescribed no specific conditions for the person spreading corruption in the land like freedom, number, sex, displaying arms or belonging to a specific nation or tribe etc. A single individual, even a female, if acted in a manner which are detrimental to the interest of public good, or come within the purview of فساد فی الارض, the man in authority is empowered to bridle the culprit towards the right path. The jurists of Isl┐m are of the view that a person spreading corruption on earth فساد فی الارض) can be awarded death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r. The jurists have not confined Fas┐d fil ’ard to specific crimes but it encompasses all types of sins even comparatively minor crimes like jealousy, cheating, bribery, misappropriation, corruption etc, which normally affect the peace and tranquility of the society. Fas┐d fil ’ard is very comprehensive word and includes any crime that, in the opinion of the legislative body of the Islamic state, upset social structure of the society and causes disruption. Commotion, moral degradation, corruption and indiscipline in its rank and file" The apex Courts in Pakistan, including Federal Shar┘‘at Court and Peshawar High Court have also held that the person involved in Fas┐d fil ’ard will be given death punishment.28 The jurists have discussed this issue with specific reference to the following Qur’┐nic verses:-

" إِنَّمَا جَزَاء الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُواْ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُواْ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْاْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ"

(The only reward of those who make war upon All┐h and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land)29من قتل نفساً بغیر نفسٍ او فسادٍ فی الآرضِ فکانما قتل الناس جمیعاً “ (Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind) )30

Regarding death punishment for creating mischief on earth, the view point of some acclaimed commentators of the Holy Qur’┐n have also been discussed in detail .They have used the word “Fas┐d” in a wider sense not confined to dacoity or highway robbery. Mischief on earth includes the aggressions and invasions of the Non-Muslims, the mischief of apostasy, highway robbery, murder, criminal plotting, and subversive propaganda. Every crime is liable to punishment as follows:(i) Execution (ii) Crucification (iii) Cutting of right hand and left foot (iv) Imprisonment somewhere else as held by the great Im┐m Abu ╓anif┐". 31 ‘All┐ma Ab┴ Bakar Ja╖╖┐╖ and ║abar┘ are also of the view that the person involved in spreading mischief on earth will be awarded death punishment in the light of Qur’┐nic commandments. 32

Am┘n A╒san Isl┐╒┘, a prominent commentator of this sub-continent while elaborating verse Al-M┐’ida-33 writes that:

”حالات کی نو عیت کے لحاظ سے حکومت کو مناسب اقدام کا اختیار ہے - قرآن حکیم کے الفاظ صاف اس بات پر دلیل ہیں کہ حکومت حالات کی نوعیت اور .بدامنی اور قانون شکنی کے موجود اورمتوقع اثرات کے لحاظ سے ، ان میں سے جواقدام بھی مناسب سمجھے کر سکتی ہے - عربی زبان میں”آو“ کا استعمال اسی مفہوم کوظاہر کرتا ہے - اس وجہ سے مجھے ان لوگوں کی رائے صائب معلوم ہوتی ہے - جو حکومت کو اختیار دیدتے ہیں کہ قیام امن و اشتعال فتنہ کے نقط نظر سے ان میں سے جو نسی شکل بھی اس کو مفید و موثر اور مطابق مصلحت نظر آئے اس کو اختیار کر سکتی ہے-34

‘All┐ma Qur═ub┘ has the same view that the commandment contained in the Quranic verse about Hirbah, as quoted above, should not be confined to ╓irabah only, rather it encompasses all other crimes which have the tendency to destabilize the foundation of Isl┐mic State. He has referred the case of two tribe ‘Akal and ‘Arny┘n, who were awarded severe punishment by the order of Holy Prophet for their involvement in killing, robbery, and other subversive activities. 35

In this respect it is appeared in العقوبته البدئيه في فقه الإسلاميwritten by Egyptian scholar that:’

لایشرط فی المفسد فی الارض عدد ولاحریة ولاجنس ولاملة معینة ولاسلاح یشهر إمام الناس فالواحد ولوکان انثی إذا ما عرض مصالح المسلمین للخطر أوفعل کل ما یندرج تحت مفهوم الفساد فی الارض کان واجب السلطان اخضاعة الی شرع الله-

"No specific conditions have been prescribed for the person spreading mischief on land, like freedom, number, sex, displaying arm or belonging to any specific nation or tribe. A single individual, even a female, if acted in a manner which are detrimental to the interest of the public good, or come within the purview of فساد فی الارض, the man in authority is empowered to bridle the culprit towards the right path. This writer further stated that:

”لولی الأمر أن یصل بعقوبة الجرایم المضرة بالصلحةالعامة کالرشوة والغش والتزویر إلی القتل - لکن بعد أن تطیق عقویة الجلد البدنیة علی الجانی فإن عاد إلی جنایته فهذا یعنی أنه مجرم تاصل فيه الاجرام وطابت نفسه بالجریمة ویحتاج الأمر إلی موازنة دقیقة. أمالبقاءعلی أمثاله یعیشون فی الأرض الفساد. وأما تطهير الأرض من فسادهم وراحة الناس جمیعا -ولاجدال فی ان حق الجماعة اولی بالرعاية - ------’أن التعزیر بالقتل جائز عند أکثر الفقهاء- ولکن هل تنفذعقوبة القتل تعزیراً فی المرتشين ؟ الجواب کل المفسدین فی الارض تنفذ فيهم. فهذه العقوبة اذالم یتخلوا عن فسادهم واصروا عليه وحسبنا بالرشوة فسادا والداعون إلی البدعة ومن یتکرر الجرائم الحديه التی لاقتل فيها "

The head of the State is empowered to award death punishment in offences like bribery, cheating and other matters which are detrimental to public interest. In doing so, it is necessary to apply firstly lighter corporeal punishments like flogging or, lashes on the offenders. If he does not reform, but continued to commit the same crime again and again, it means that he is a hardened criminal and totally inclined toward crimes. There is a need to opt between two choices either to let him and other criminals to continue subversive activities and spreading mischief on land or to stop them from spreading Fas┐d on the land and protect all other peoples from the evil effects of their activities.

There is no controversy on the point that that the rights of the people have precedence over other things. He further stated that: According to majority of jurists, death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r is permissible but the question arises whether death punishment by way of Ta‘z┘r can be awarded to a person guilty of giving bribes? The answer is that:"This punishment can be awarded to all those spreading mischief on earth (مفسدين فی الارض) if the society is not ensured. It is thus concluded that the person involved in the crime of bribery, the person who calls upon the people towards innovation or the person who commits heinous crimes of ╓ud┴d repeatedly, where no death punishment has been prescribed, death punishment can be awarded under Ta‘z┘r by bringing these crimes within the purview of Fas┐d fil ’Ar╔. 36

There are circumstances where death punishment can be awarded by way of ╓add, for which, no death punishment has been prescribed for that crime, like drinking wine, theft etc. The question arises whether the decisions of acclaimed companions of the Holy Prophet still remain in place and applicable? The answer is in positive. These punishments are still applicable and can be awarded on the basis of common I‘llat or (legal cause). ‘All┐ma Ibn al Qayyim and other jurists have enumerated the circumstances where enhanced punishment can be awarded in the light of these decisions. Ibn al Qayyim has derived arguments from the tradition of the Holy Prophet reproduced below: It is reported from the Holy Prophet that:

من شرب الخمر فاجلدوه ، فان عاد فاجلدوه، فان عاد فی الثلاثة أو الرابعة فاقتلوه

"A person involved in drinking wine for the first time, he will be awarded the punishment of whipping or stripes. If he repeated the same crime for the second time, he will face the same punishment of whipping or stripe but if he repeated the same crime third or fourth times, award him death penalty. 37, 38 However, in the case of Ab┴ Ma╒jan Thaqaf┘, who was caught red handed more than four times, was not awarded death penalty rather he was arrested and tied in a chain and kept with Muslim army when they were in expedition of Q┐dsiyah war. During the course of fierce fight, when he saw the muslim army retreating and meeting casualties, he requested the wife of S‘ad bin abi Waq┐s to give him permission to participate in a war by providing him a horse and sword. The wife of S‘ad bin Ab┘ Waqq┐s provided him all facilities including horse. The Muslim army had so far met heavy causalities. He fought gallantly and played a heroic role in defeating the enemy. When the war came to an end, he tied himself in a chain. For his heroic role in the war, he was released by ╓a╔rat ‘Umar the then Khal┘fa or head of the State. 39 From the following tradition, the punishment of death penalty can be awarded for drinking wine in utter violation of Islamic commandments. The tradition is as under:

عن ویلم الحمیری أنه سئل رسو ل الله-یا رسو ل الله أنا بأرض بارد نعالج فيها عملا شدیدا - وإنا نتخذ شرابا من هذا القمح نتقوی به علی أعما لنا وعلی برد بلا دنا- قال رسول الله هل یسکر قلت نعم- قال فاجتنبوه- قلت فإن النا س غیر تارکيه- قال فان لم یترکره فقاتلوهم.

Wailum-Al-╓umair┘ asked the Holy Prophet regarding wine that "Our home town is located in an area where the weather is extremely cold and we have to work very hard to earn our livelihood. So to counter the adverse circumstances, we squeeze and prepare a drink from wheat which gives us energy to face cold weather and in doing hard work. The Holy Prophet asked whether it is intoxicant. He said "Yes" the Holy Prophet said:" avoid its use". Wailum Al-╓umair┘ said that the people are not in a position to give it up. The Holy Prophet said "If they refuse to give it up, then kill them"40 There are many traditions where death punishments have been prescribed for other crimes, which are enumerated below:

عن ابن عباس عن النبی صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ومن وجدتموه بعمل عمل قوم لوط فاقتلوا الفاعل والمفعول قبه

Reported by Ibn ‘Abb┐s from the Holy Prophet to have been said that If you found any one committing sodomy, kill both of them, the person committing this crime and with whom, it is committed.41 During the era of ╓a╔rat Ab┴ Bakar Sidd┘q, Kh┐lid bin Wal┘d reported about the incidences of homosexuality in the region. ╓a╔rat Ab┴ Bakar Sidd┘q with the consultation of acclaimed companions including ╓a╔rat ‘Ali, directed Kh┐lid to burn both of them alive. In later period, ‘Abdull┐h bin Zubair and Hish┐m bin ‘Abdul M┐lik also awarded death punishment to those involved in sodomy. According to Ibn ‘Abb┐s, a punishment for the crime of homosexuality is dropping upside down from the top of the hill.

For committing the crime of incest, there are precedents where death punishment was awarded during the life time of the Holy Prophet (SAWW). It is reported that:

’ عن برا بن عازب مر بی خالی أبوبردة بن نیاد ومعه لواء این ترید ؟ فقال بعثنی رسول الله إلی رجل تزوج امرآة أبية آن آتتية برأسه- و عن عبدالله بن عباس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال من وقع علی ذات محرم فاقتلوه “

"Reported by Bara bin Gh┐zib, once my maternal uncle came across carrying a flag in his hand. I asked him about his distination.He said that the Holy Prophet has sent him to a person who has married with the wife of his father to bring his head. Reported by ‘Abdull┐h bin ‘Abb┐s from the holy Prophet to have been said that: Kill the person who committed sexual inter course with the female of prohibited degree or committed incest.”42

It is also appeared in the tradition that. In circumstances where one cannot get rid of mischievous activities of a person, he will be executed:

”عن عرفجة الاشجعی رضی الله عنه قال سمعت رسول الله يقول من أتاکم وأمرکم جمیع علی رجل واحد یرید أن یشق عصاکم أو یفرق جماعتکم فاقتلوه “-

It has been reported on the authority of ‘Arfajah who said: I have heard the messenger of All┐h saying that: Different people make their appearance in the near future. "Anyone who tries to disrupt the unity and affairs of the Muslim community in a situation when they are all united, you should strike him with the sword whatever he may be.43

In this respect ‘Allama Ibn ‘└bid┘n sh┐m┘ writes that: An offence, where no death punishment is prescribed for the offender for committing certain crimes, death punishment can be awarded in a situation where the offender commits these crimes repeatedly and it is in the interest of public good. Likewise, the number of ╓ud┴d may also be increased if the situation is warranted. The person committing theft repeatedly or kills the citizen by strangulation, or becomes apostate or being a Muslim, acts as a spy for enemy, all of them shall be killed to protect the people from their evil effects and to promote peace and tranquility in the society.44

Mawl┐na Sal┐mat ‘Ali, the author of Isl┐m┘ Faujdar┘ Q┐n┴n, writes that:

تعزيرا قتل, درے لگانے, قيد کرنے, گھر سے نکالنے اور مجرم کے مال کی قرقی سے دی جا سکتی ھے-----امام کےليے جائز ہے که وہ عادی چور, جادوگر, خناق موذی آدمی اور جو شخص زبردستی ظلم کر ےيا ڈاکو ہو يا ظالم اور يا ان کے مددگارون ميں سے ہو اور يا زمين پر فساد پھلانے والا ہو تو وہ اس کو قتل کی سزا دے- 45

A Muslim spy who provides secret information to the infidel will be killed because of facilitating non Muslims to spread disorder in the land. A person came to the court of Holy Prophet and discussed issues with the Holy Prophet and after a launch, disappeared from the scene. When it came into the notice of the Holy Prophet, he ordered to chase and kill himاطلبوه فاقتلوه) ). In compliance, ╓a╔rat ’Ubay, who was a fast runner and other people chased and killed him and his belongings and properties were given to ╓a╔rat ’Ubay.46

A story of a woman, who was carrying a letter wherein information about the Muslim of Mecca had been provided, adorn in the books of tradition. The holy Prophet ordered ╓a╔rat ‘Ali, Zubair and Maqd┐d to go towards “Rawza-al-Khakh” where they will come across a woman hiding letter somewhere in her body. Take this latter from her and let her go and if she refused to hand over the latter, then kill her on the spot. The original order of the holy Prophet was as under: “Take a letter from her and let her go and if she refused to hand over the letter, then kill her on the spot.”47 From this order of the Holy Prophet, it transpires that a spy of enemy if refused to disclose the information he or she wanted to convey the enemy secretly, he will be killed.

From the above discussion, it transpires that Isl┐m is a complete code of life and it covers every aspect of human life. The objective of Islamic law is the protection of the interest of the people individually as well as collectively. To achieve this objective, a strategy has been evolved to meet various situations likely to confront by a person during his life time. In this respect apart from ╓ud┴d and Qi╖┐╖, the head of the state or Q┐╔┘ has been given vast power under Ta‘z┘r and under the doctrine of siysa al Shari‘ah to meet the circumstances which compel a person to commit a crime.

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