Islam, terrorism and corruption

By Shafi Ahmed, London UK, 100 Western Avenue, London W3 7TX
15 December 2005, 18:00 PM
The avowed objective of the Muslim fundamentalists is to establish a Puritan Islamic State and Sharia Law. But what is Sharia Law? Most people are aware of the harsh punishments for adultery and theft ( although in the Holy Quran there are humane alternatives of forgiveness, reparation etc which are eschewed). But what about other crimes of the modern age like bribery, corruption, fraud, cheating, misappropriation of bank or other people's funds (including that of orphans), smuggling ,Mafia or warlord style killing, looting and intimidation for power, etc.? In the holy book there are exhortations (in many places) from Allah to avoid such (unrighteous) activities if heaven and not hellfire is desired in afterlife, but no earthly punishment is prescribed, as is prescribed for adultery and theft. In addition Allah's judgment of one's deeds on the day of resurrection is stated to be based on totality of activities, good or bad, and then on its balance.

Of course bigoted terrorists must be rooted out but at the same time a council of Islamic scholars, ( perhaps this is a proper job of OIC), must research the Quranic principles to prescribe earthly punishments for all modern crimes and social evil-doings.