J. F. Campbell Collection > Koran: or, Alcoran of Mohammed

^^ AL KORAN. CHAP. v.
I unable to be like this raven, that I may hide my brother's shame ? and
he became one of those who repent. Wherefore we commanded the children
of Israel, that he who slayeth a soul, without having slain a soul,* or com-
mitted wickedness in the earth,^ shall be as if he had slain all mankind :*
but he who saveth a soul alive, shall he as if he had saved the lives of all
mankind. Our apostles formerly came unto them, with evident miracles;
then were many of them, after this, transgressors on the earth. But the
recompense of those who fight against God and his apostles, and study to
act corruptly in the earth, shall he, that they shall be slain, or cnacified, or
Vave their hands and their feet cut off on the opposite sides, or be banished
the land.'' This shall be their disgrace in this world, and in the next world
they shall suffer a grievous punishment ; except those who shall repent,
before ye prevail against them; for know that God is inclined to forgive,
and merciful. true believers, fear God, and earnestly desire a near
conjimction with him, and fight for his religion, that ye may be
happy. Moreover they who believe not, although they had whatever
is in the earth, and as much more withal, that they might therewith
redeem themselves from punishment on the day of resurrection; it shall
not be accepted from them, but they shall suffer a painful punishment.
They shall desire to go forth from the fire, but they shall not go forth
fi'om it, and their pimishment shall be permanent. If a man or a woman
steal, cut off their hands,^ in retribution for that which they have com-
mitted; this is an exemplary piinishment appointed by God; and GoD is
mighty and wise. But whoever shall repent after his iniquity, and amend,
verily God will be turned unto him,^ for God is inclined to forgive, and
merciful. Dost thou not know that the kingdom of heaven and eai-th is
* " lie who shall slay a man, without having suflered violence from him, shall
be guilty of the blood of all the human race ; and he who shall save the life of a man
shall be rewarded as if he had saved it to all the human race." — Savary.
' Such as idi'latry, or robbing on the high way.'
* Having broken the commandment which forbids the shedding of blood.
° The lawyers are not agreed as to the applying of these punishments. But the
commentators suppose, that they who commit murder only, are to be put to death
in the ord&ary way; those who'murder and rob too, to be crucified; those who rob
without committing murder, to have their right hand and their left foot cut off ; and
they who assault persons and put them in fear, to be banished.^ It is also a doubt
whether they who are to be crucified shall be crucified alive, or be first put to death,
or whether they shall hang on tlie cross till they die.*
^ But this punishment, according to the Sonna, is not to be inflicted, unless the
value of the thing stolen amount to four dinars, or about forty shillings. For the
first offence the criminal is to lose his right hand, which is to be cut off at the
wrist; for the second offence, his left foot, at the ankle ; for the third, his left hand;
for the fourth, his right foot; and if he continue to offend, he shall be scourged at
the discretion of the judge.» — " This law is no longer in use among the Turks.
The bastonnade is the usual punisliment for theft. Robbers are often beheaded.
This crime is very rare in the Turkish towns; but the defective state of the police
renders it common on the high roads, and especially in the deserts." — Savary.
y That is, God will not punish him for it hereafter; but his repentance does not
supersede the execution of the law here, nor excuse him from making restitution.
Yet, according to al Shafei, he shall not be punished if the party wronged forgive
him before he be carried before a magistrate.^
« Al Beidavvi. ^ luem, Jallalo'ddin. ^ Al Beidawi ' .Jallalo'ddin, Al
Beidawi. ' lidem.