Punishment

Asalamau Alaykum Scholars,I would like to clarify whether Rape is a defined crime in Islam and whether it is stated as rape in the quran or if it is only considered to be of same crime as Zina, thus punished as zina would be. Also could you kindly explain what the words "zina" and "zin bil jabr" mean respectively in context to rape?It is very important that you take care in replying to all stated questions as this is information asked on behalf of a larger group.Shukran

In reference to the original question posed (MDG9WQ), the questions remain somewhat unanswered. As you can see the main question asked was whether the Quran makes use of the words "ightisab" or "zina bil jabr" occur in the Quran or not. So what is your answer to that?Also in your reply you state that IF a woman is successful in proving her rape through various medical or judicial processes then the rapist will be punished.Can you kindly show any case what so ever in the muslim world or the western where rape cases have gone by so simpl istically as you suggest? Are you aware that rape victims are torn to shreds in court cases and eventually end up broken down and losing the case.Are you aware that proving rape is difficult and rarely happens? Are you aware of the many studies done on human mentality and psychology when raped or abused? Or does psychology play no role in Islam?You mention that several western studies show that rapists are usually under the influence of drugs or alchohol. Do you actually believe that? It would appear that you are linking rape to western life style and insinuating that it is a majorly western plague. Kindly list these "many studies" that you think prove your point, because if you were to go through random rape cases anywhere you would see that rapists rarely are under the influence of anything but malice. They are more than often nice guys, well educated, well established, well liked. They are usually model citizens. Ted Bundy the infamous rapist was a lawyer student and a good citizen.So your answers are not making sense logically but perhaps if you could highliht your references and studies.Also do answer what happens if a woman is unable to prove her rape? Because in all cases she will usually be found guilty of zina seeing as she admits to having had sex (althouhg she calls it rape). Pakistan, Northern NIgeria are frequent practitioners of such cases where the rape is called zina and almost always the woman punished. Is the burden of proof on the vitcim or the rapist?SIt is my understanding from your reply that a woman who is unable to prove her case would most likely be in a difficult position. Would she be punished still?The 4 witnesses you refer to - should the victim bring those or should that be the rapist's task?It is a lengthy issue but we are a group of young m uslims who are currently debating this issue with the prupose of highlighting Islam's stance on rape.So far nothing indicates (Quran) that this can be found as a crime in its own right in the Quran. Am I right? Because I can not find the words for rape in the quran and from your reply I see clearly that zina and rape are not the same thing. Rape is not volunteer.Also may I point out to you that rape need not be accpmnied by screams, struggles, crying or anything other "resistance". The resistance may be mental. Most rape vitcims describe it as going numb and pretending this is not happening to them. If this is the fact then according to your interpretation of Islam, these women would be found guilty of nit fighting against the rape. Again may I refer to the pschology behind rape victims. Children who are rape know no better - so they rarely struggle. They only know it hurts. An adult woman may just be silent because she is in shock. I do think you underestimate the affect of shock and trauma.Is there no room for psychology in islam?Again I must stress - that you take care in repleying to ALL questions in as much detail as possible.Best wishes,Ebru

how can the dead find time to come into someones dream if they are recieving the punishment of the grave?

Asalam AlaykumDear respected Scholar,I have a question regarding judgement day and the grave. We have a home and we owe money on it if one of should die is there punishment in the grave until it is paid for? Also how do you know if you are doing enough good deeds.Thank youasalam Alaykum Connie

As-salamu `alaykum. Will non-Muslims on the Day of the Judgment be punished according to Muslim laws or their laws? I mean, for example, males and females kissing each other on the cheek is haram(forbidden) in Islam, but for the Christians not. So will Christians who kissed each other on the cheek be punished before Allah for this because it's haram or not, because it's not haram in their law?

What does Islam say about the hereafter? Is the punishement in hell eternal?As for the punishement in hell, is there a consensus of muslims scholars on this matter? If not which is the opinion that has the most evidence to back it up?

Dear Respected Scholars in Islam,Assalamu Alaikum, Until recently I have usually felt confident discussing Islamic beliefs with non-Muslims. However there is one issue that I am not able to explain to satisfy my own reason or heart. This is the belief of ?eternal? punishment for the disbelievers. It does not seem fair to punish a disbeliever for eternity, I can understand a very long period of time, but eternal punishment (even if it  was only one disbeliever) is a horror difficult to contemplate or rationalise against the All-Merciful (whose Mercy overcomes His Anger).Even, if a disbeliever underwent punishment in hell-fire even for a million years for every millisecond of his or her disbelief, then this would be understandable, but then this would be still a grain of sand compared to the never ending beach of eternal punishment. We know that even the lightest levels of Hell have unimaginable punishments. All of Islamic law is based upon proportionality and justice in this world, but this does not seem to apply to the crime of disbelief (as all other Sins can be forgiven after punishment). Although there are many descriptions in the Qur?an and Hadith regarding the nature of afterlife, I know it is dangerous to contemplate the issues regarding the unseen;  however the only way I can reconcile this issue with the beauty of Islam would be to say that disbelievers, though they will never taste the fruits of Paradise for their crime of Shirk, will undergo a unimaginably long punishment (within which they are neither dead or alive) and after which they will either cease to exist or perhaps a live never a ending existence that will neither be the severe torture of Hell nor the joys of Jannah. Please, I do not mean to offend with this question nor question Allah?s limitless mercy and forgiveness, I ask it in the utmost sincerity and zeal to seek the truth.JazakAllah,Allah Knows Best.Is it undoubtable according to Islamic text that people will suffer punishment for eternity, or are the words used in decribing the hereafter describing a very long period of time or even a indefinite period of time.

Is it true that if we get punished a lot or have a lot misfortunes and hardships in this life, then we will suffer less or no punishment at all in the hereafter? Therefore entering Junnah with ease. Or vice versa? or is this jus all a myth? One example came to mind when I thought about this question was when i saw Sheikh Ahmed Deedat (may Allah grant him junnahtul firduas) diagnosed with a stroke and saw him lying on his death bed for 10 years giving dawah before he past away.

In the Shari`ah, is there a certain punishment for a rapist?

Asalamu alykum, I have asked this question before but didn´t get an answer so I´m trying again.Actually I was reading an answer to a question on your live fatwa concerning the reward of good but unbelieving people in the hereafter.I understood that such people will get their reward only in this life.I was wondering whether it is at all possible to be a non believer and good or a believer and bad at the same time. For example, is it possible for a murderer to believe?Also,how about the punishment or reward in such a case?Someone I know has commented on this which made me start wondering myself.I had no satisfying answer and hope you can clarify on this.Thank you.

Respected scholars, As-Salamu `Alaykum. I have asked this question of many scholars but no one has been able to give me a satisfactory answer. I hope you can clarify it for me. I know that man has to go through a lot of problems and afflictions throughout his life. Now these sufferings could be a punishment from God or it could be that God wants to test his faith and raise his ranks in the Hereafter. But how can we tell the difference between punishment from God or tests and trials by God?Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

Assalamo 'Alaykom, I have a really important question that I believe needs to be discussed. I have a friend who seems to be interested in converting to islam. The more she gets to know about the religion the more she loves it. I'm sure whenever she's ready she will convert, Insha'Allah. This is my question though; yesterday she emails me to ask me about the Afghani man who was sentenced to death for converting out of Islam? She is seriously bothered by that. This is what she asked exactly, quoting her "is that really true that Islam is THAT cruel? I don't believe that - that is NOT the picture I have of Islam! As far as I know, Islam does permit different faiths ... and if he felt he had to convert while here in Germany - why on earth is he enticed to die?" I don't know what to tell her. I wouldn't want to say something that'll scare her away. I'll admit, I don't get it myself. What is the wisdom behind the execution for converting out for Islam? I really would love to understand. Jazakom Allah Khayran.

What is the ruling on the crime of rape in Islam?

asalaam alaikum,thank you, in advance. recently, on your fatwa page, i read that the penalty for an UNMARRIED man who rapes a woman is 100 lashes if he confesses. this really upset and concerned me.this sounds as if and unmarried man can rape any woman he wants, then confess, and only get 100 lashes ! that is hardly a good enough punishment for raping anyone, regardless of it HE is married or not.i can't believe there isn't more !i am a convert, and this is upsetting to think that islam would let a man OFF so lightly, as to ONLY get 100 lashes for such a horrible, horrible things as rape. in comparrison to how life changing and tramatic rape is for a women, 100 lashes is a small as a slap on the hand for that man !please, tell me that i misunderstood your fatwa answer and the unmarried man does not GET AWAY with this SMALL punishment.thank you. i eagerly await your reply.asalaam alaikum

What is the duty of Muslims towards those who trade in children? Is there a punishment for child traffickers?

Some non-Muslims describe Islam as a religion of brutality, due to the application of the prescribed penalties or hudud. What is the judgment on applying these penalties, and what are their benefits?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. How are we supposed to look at natural disasters such as the recent tsunami? Are they punishments or simply trials and tests? Are we justified in characterizing them as signs of the Hour? Jazakum Allah khayran.

What is the ruling of announcing the date of carrying out capital punishment? Is it necessary that it should be carried out in a public place?

Dear scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. I have given birth to a daughter who is visually impaired, and the doctors said that it is genetic. When I found out, I was totally confused and angry because people told me it is the sin of the parent that affects the child. Is this true? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-salamu `alaykum. My question: Is there any authentic hadith about the punishment in the grave? There are many Muslims who do not believe in the torment of the grave. Is this wrong? Please could you clarify this matter to me? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear Sheikh! I am wondering what Islam says about the rights of prisoners to receive physical and psychological care? What does Islam have to offer to those people? Please answer me in detail!

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Allah will put some people into Hell fire for eternity on the Day of Judgment. How can I explain to a non-Muslim that my God is Merciful when some people will be condemned forever? Jazakum Allah khayran.

salaam aleikoum i have a question about homosexuality, some poeple ( they say that they are moslims) say:  "that homosexuality is not forbidden (haram) in the islam, and that the arguments in de quran which talk about homosexuality means acts and practice of homosexaulity  and not to be homo. theze people think that it is halal to be homo and that Allah who create these feelings in people and that's why it is allowed in the islam". some other people say: "that homosexuality doesn't depends of religion but of culture and that because it's not allowed in arabic culture that's why some moslims think that homosexuality is haram, but in the fact it is not haram". some people say that: " it is haram to practice homosexuality, but it is not haram to be a homo, and that people who have homo's feelings have no sin if they practice homosexuality because Allah create them so, these people think that the problem is the feeling and not intentions or acts, and that some people born homo's so they don't have any sin to do that". can u explain me these punts,and is homosexuality haram ? is het haram to be homo or not?and is it true that some people have these feelings( homosexuel feelings) and born with it? is it possible for a person to born gay?and can that Allah punish someone that gay born is? how can that Allah punish someone because of a sin which he has not done but comes from Allah?and it is true thatIs it true that if someone has a bad intention  to do something haram, but he has not done then  Allah won't punish him?and that's why these people say that it is halal to be a homo and that Allah won't punish u because u didn't prcatice it.and they take that hadith as an argument: Dit is een hadith Qudsi:Allah has said: "If My servant considers doing a sin, do not record it against him. If he acts upon it, record it as one sin. If he considers doing a good deed and does not do it, record it as one good deed, and if he actually does it, record it as 10 good deeds." [Recorded by Imam Muslim]so they think that homosexuality is not haram but the acts of homosexuality is haram, and they say also that it is not haram to get bad intentions to do bad things unless if u did that bad thing. conclusion:they think that there is difference between acts, intentions and feelings and that all that come from Allah and not from satan.nB: i believ that homosexuality haram is, and that also get bad intentions to pratice homosexuality also haram, and that nonone born as a gay, as noone born addict on alcohol or addict on zina. but i want to answear these people... wasalaam aleikom warahmatoAllahi wabarakatuh

As-Salamu `alaykum! I have a Christian friend who asked me why punishment in Islam like stoning to death, cutting the hand off, etc., is so cruel and inhumane? I said that it is better to be punished in this world than be tormented in the Hereafter. I need more explanation from you. Jazakum Allahu Khayrun.