an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Under the doctrine of discretionary punishment ( ta’zeer), the Islamic authorities may implement legal punishments such as fines, community service, or imprisonment which are judged to fit the given crime. The phrase “eye for an eye” does not necessarily mean the punishment should be literally the same as the crime. They are called oppressors because they did not fulfill the rights of the oppressed over the oppressor in the matter in which Allah commanded them to be just and equal between everyone involved. Ibn Kathir comments on this verse, saying: They are oppressors because they fail to treat everyone equal under law, punishing some people more or less than they deserve. Whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.Ī person who is wronged by another reserves the right to demand equal legal punishment within due process of law, although Allah has encouraged the believers to show forgiveness.Īllah has said those who fail to implement the law of equality in punishment are oppressors. But whoever gives up his right as charity, it is an expiation for him. We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution.

The phrase “eye for an eye” refers to retributive justice ( al-qasas) as a legal concept, known as the law of equality in punishment, otherwise stated as “let the punishment fit the crime.” In Islamic law, the punishment for a crime should be equal to the gravity of that crime, not greater or less. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.