I was asked to write about the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. This is a subject I know little about other than it exists and I’ll routinely read in local newspapers about executions being held in various places of the Kingdom for heinous crimes. So again, I turned to the search engines to learn more about the background on the death penalty and procedures involved.
Saudi Arabia follows Shariah or Islamic law which allows the death penalty. The death penalty is usually handed down on crimes such as sex crimes, drug crimes, murder as well as others. Some crimes which could also result in a death penalty include witchcraft, sabotage, corruption, distribution and consumption of alcohol.
The preferred manner of death is execution by the sword and beheading the accused. This is typically performed in a public square on Friday’s. Towards being more compassionate, the accused is usually drugged before the public execution takes place.
Sometimes instead of an execution, the accused would have the option to pay blood money or “diyya” to the family of a victim. Per wikipedia, paying of blood money is specifically defined as “blood money is the fine paid by the killer or his family or clan to the family or the clan of the victim (compare the abolished traditions of weregild and główczyzna). It is unlawful for a believer to kill a believer except if it happens by accident. And he who kills a believer accidentally must pay Diyat to the heirs of the victim except if they forgive him. The tradition finds repeated endorsement in Islamic tradition; several instances are recorded in the Hadith, which are the acts of Muhammad.” For the complete details, please view: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diyya
Most of the time when reading the local papers one will hear of death by execution taking place for drug traffickers and murders.
One Link I found on this subject includes:
http://library.thinkquest.org/23685/data/iarabia.html
and of course wikipedia gives a lot of information on capital punishment which goes beyond the Kingdom but informative nevertheless:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment
I guess my question is whether fear of the death penalty really prevents or lowers the overall crime rate in the Kingdom?
Filed under: culture, islam, politics, relationships, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, terrorism, travel, Uncategorized
[...] dwightinsight wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI was asked to write about the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. This is a subject I know little about other than it exists and I’ll routinely read in local newspapers about executions being held in various places of the Kingdom for heinous crimes. So again, I turned to the search engines to learn more about the background on the death penalty and procedures involved. [...]
[...] Death Penalty in Saudi ArabiaI was asked to write about the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. This is a subject I know little about other than it exists and I’ll routinely read in local newspapers about executions being held in various places of the Kingdom for … [...]
[...] Support for Rod Coronado wrote an interesting post today on Death Penalty in Saudi ArabiaHere’s a quick excerptOne Link I found on this subject includes: http://library.thinkquest.org/23685/dat… [...]
Carol,
You forgot to add adultery as another crime that is punishable by death in Saudi. That has not been common as Sharia places a high burden of prove on the crime.
I do not think executions have reduced crimes in Saudi. Crimes, especially drug distribution, are on the increase in spite of the increased executions. I also have a morale issue with executions in Saudi, since the legal system is in disarray. There is a finality to executing a person and I am not confident that our judges examine evidence correctly nor allow defendants to receive proper representation. Additionally, some crimes like adultery and witchcraft are questionable.
The public execution part is barbaric. I have witnessed an execution when I was 11 and cannot get that ugly image of my mind after all these years. And yes when they say public in Saudi, that means kids are not prevented from watching it.
[...] Kyan’s BLOG III wrote an interesting post today on Death Penalty in Saudi ArabiaHere’s a quick excerpt…and of course wikipedia gives a lot of information on capital punishment … http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_pu… [...]
Saudi in US,
Yes; you’re right – adultery is also a crime punishable by death. I clearly remember the documentary “Death of a Princess” which I do not believe can be viewed (legally) here in the Kingdom.
You are also right in that a public execution is open to men, women and children alike. My husband told me about one in Mecca that he and his friends were going to watch. Thankfully at the last minute my spouse changed his mind and left the scene. To this day, his friends tell him how wise he was to do that. I think he was around 9 or 10 years old at the time.
It would be helpful to be able to talk with a judge and ask how the judgements are determined; what are the specific parameters used when passing a judgement and whether someone convicted should be executed or excused if the family accepts blood money instead…it is confusing and not always clear.
I agree with you that certain crimes will continue in spite of the harsh penalty such as narcotics. I guess those engaged in such activity will continue to take that “calculated risk.”
I’ve never heard of anyone getting executed for consuming alcohol, but I have heard of people being jailed or deported for it. I know of a case where a group of expats were caught leaving an embassy party years ago and had taken a bottle with them. They were stopped for a traffic violation, and were caught with the bottle. They were all jailed in one cell for a week, and then were lucky enough to be deported and not flogged or jailed longer.
Some people I’ve met in the states said they would never come here to KSA because of the execution factor for drug dealers and murderers. So, one could assume that those that take drugs, deal in drugs, or are violent people abroad are afraid to work and live here.
I won’t say for certain but as far as I’m aware executions pertaining to alcohol have been more for those caught importing alcohol in large quantities to the Kingdom.
“Towards being more compassionate, the accused is usually drugged before the public execution takes place.”
No, the condemned who is about to be executed is NOT drugged, although the one who has lesser than that e.g. the Hadd for theft has a local anaesthesia applied.
At least, this is what a Saudi executioner said.
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1322.htm
I recommend that anyone wanting to know more about executions in KSA watch this video- an interview with an executioner- one of the most interesting things I’ve ever watched.
Sociologists have debated whether capital punishment reduces crime; some say it does, others, that it does not; some say it actually increases crime!. Some have stated that, when law enforcement is seen as competent, then the death penalty is feared and crime is reduced. A lot of the classical jurists said in their books that public execution would deter others from committing the same. Ultimately, whether it does or does not is immaterial, because it is prescribed by Islam, and we believe that Allah, `azza wa jal, knows best about what is good for us.
I hope I posted something useful, even if I did- somewhat characteristically- begin my post with the word ‘No’
“Ultimately, whether it does or does not is immaterial, because it is prescribed by Islam, and we believe that Allah, `azza wa jal, knows best about what is good for us.”
Yeah, an eye for an eye until the whole world is blind.
No; an eye for an eye and every criminal who transgresses the law either has to pay diyya or suffers qisas i.e. loses one eye or is FORGIVEN, which is best.
“Ultimately, whether it does or does not is immaterial, because it is prescribed by Islam, and we believe that Allah, `azza wa jal, knows best about what is good for us.”
This is why religious reasoning is irrational
Not to add that there it is highly unlikely there is a god, and if there is, it’s even more doubtful that he would care about such painfully dull human matters.
But I enjoyed the rest of your comment at any rate
The problem is that the ‘law of the land’ is not always used with every person in the community equally. The death penalty is very final and should be used only with 100% certainty of someone’s guilt. Look at all the people we have locked up in the states who have been freed lately due to the latest technology that proves that they were actually innocent of the crime.
It will be troubling if Saudi executes people for the purchase and consumption of alcohol because to the best of my knowledge the Sharia punishment for that is 80 lashes.
Hi Nan, you reinforce why it would be nice to have a judge be able to answer such questions. I do not know nor always understand the Sharia laws.
A2S – you bring up a good point and especially when comparing to the “mistakes” that have happened in the state of the innocent being jailed or even on death row. Very scary and perturbing indeed.
Thanks for all the comments from everyone…keep them coming!
Hi Carol and everyone,
One of the state in my country also urged the central government to implement the “hudud” law (death penalty). The state is governed by the opposition party. However until now the request by that opposition party was not approved by the central goverment.
Of course one of the reason why they are asking it is because to implement the law according to Alquranul Kareem. And they really urged it because they said taking the current criminal rate which is higher and higher everyday. By implementing it they are confident that such criminal will be tremendously reduced or maybe come to a halt.
It make me really wonder how that implementation have the effect on Saudi people. But I believe the reason that the saudi government make it public to make their people feel scared and it will hopefully prevent them to do the same criminal.
On what basis do atheists establish laws? According to custom, i.e. arbitrarily. So every human frailty is enshrined in their conception of ‘justice’; furthermore they can’t claim that such a thing as ‘objective justice’ exists since, by their own admission ‘justice’ is just another human concept that differs from society to society and time to time. For them to invest significance in any particular signification of justice (i.e. more than another) is more than arbitrary; it’s quasi-religious.
Any punishment an atheist subjects the malefactor to is, from his own perspective (if he wants to remain consistent), purely arbitrary.
Your understanding of ‘reason’ and ‘rationality’ is horribly superficial. When the ulema wanted to give an opinion on ‘reason’ and its relationship to ‘faith’, they spent volumes and volumes defining the former before they could even adopt a stance towards it. And this is what ibn Taymiyya does in Dar Ta`arud, rahimahullah, examining many cases of the alleged conflict before deciding what constitutes ‘reason’.
These questions are very old, as are their answers, but the words of kuffar like ‘Shajira’ are as trite- and superficial- as ever.
We execute more people in the State of Texas than in any other state in the union, and it’s been so for many years now. Is the death penalty a deterrent? Likely not, as most capital crimes here tend to be crimes of passion, not thought out and planned (in most cases). Is it possible that innocent people are executed? Sure it is. Hard as it may be for some people to believe, humans aren’t perfect. In fact, we’re very far from it, no matter how pompous or arrogant certain factions of our species may be in their disagreement. I will say, however, that we are at least a bit more humane in our methods and we don’t subject our children to the horror of a public event. But, our legal processes aren’t entirely mandated or overseen by any dictatorial or tyrannical “religious” leaders.
We’re all people. We kill each other every day. Sad, but certainly true. What’s worse is that we kill each other because we don’t think alike. Or because we don’t look alike. Or because we don’t come from the same geographical region of the world. Or because we don’t share the same philosophies of life. And the list can go on forever. So, for a government to decide to kill its citizenry for whatever they decide is worthy of death should come as no surprise. And the fact that such punishments aren’t dealt out fairly, or without prejudice or undue preference, that shouldn’t shock anyone either. Money can usually speak louder than justice. That’s just the way it is. Welcome to the human race.
In a post last week, I wrote: As I’ve always said, nothing in life is free – everything comes with a price tag attached. You may not have to pay it today, or even tomorrow. But, sooner or later, we all gotta pay… and it never ends until they’re shoveling the dirt onto the box. Then we pay the higher price, and hopefully receive the greater reward rather than the greater punishment. As my friend Rennie recently wrote to me, “We’re not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We’re spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
We’ve all got to die sometime. Does the ‘how’ really make that much difference? The homicide bomber who detonates himself in the middle of crowded market is just as dead as the innocents he took with him. We all start dying the moment we’re born… some just end up in circumstances that hasten their departure more than others. Sad, but true.
Bravo Lofter. You wrote a great comment which I think really sums it all up well globally!
Lofter, you presuppose a particular conception of ‘perfection’ which, as a Muslim, I don’t subscribe to.
You presuppose a particular conception of what is ‘humane’ which, as a Muslim, I don’t subscribe to.
You presuppose a particular conception of ‘tyranny’ and ‘injustice’ which, as a Muslim, I don’t subscribe to.
You presuppose a certain set of reasons why a person should be killed by those in authority which I, as a Muslim, don’t subscribe to.
Sometimes a person embraces Islam or decides to practice it, and his faith doesn’t fully displace what preceded it. What is left is Jahiliyya. Such a person should try to understand the meaning of the second half of the shahada, ‘Muhammadan Rasul Allah’, and realise this testimony in two ways: first of all, in terms of what he believes; secondly, in terms of how he acts.
Secularism is kufr. I could cite every `alim who has ever existed to prove my point, if you really wanted. Muslims should remember that their Prophet is Muhammad bin `Abdillah, sal Allahu `alayhi wa sallam. They have no prophet after that. He is the source of their beliefs, practices and their worship. I thought every Muslim knew that, even if they didn’t realise it in their lives.
The organisation ‘Human Rights Watch’ has recently said,
“Although the existence of blasphemy laws make some forms of insult to religion an offence, human rights bodies have called for their abolition, and as a minimum that they be narrowly defined so they are compatible with international human rights law on free speech. “Cursing God” does not meet this test and should not be a criminal offence, Human Rights Watch said.”
In other words, they are asking KSA to choose between the shar’ of Islam and the shar’ of kufr. They want to make the adherence of people to the former no more than nominal; they want to subject it utterly to the domination of the latter, when they are in conflict. Every Muslim necessarily rejects this, because every Muslim necessarily accepts the way of the Prophet, sal Allahu `alayhi wa sallam, as (the only) valid and correct and beautiful (way), and every other way as false. Our opponents from ahl al-kufr are no different, in the sense that they accept the same of their own values, and despise and reject tawhid in the same way that we reject and despise shirk.
يا أيها الذين آمنوا ادخلوا في السلم كافة
أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللّهِ حُكْماً لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
WM… I was speaking on the subject of dying, and more specifically, addressing the use of capital punishment. If you wish to argue religion, I won’t oblige you. You are entitled to your opinions, as I am entitled to mine. You are a human being, just as I am, and just as we all are. Every distinction beyond that is self-imposed.
You once wrote that everyone hates you. I responded on your blog (which has since been deleted I notice) that I don’t. But, to many, because I am a Christian, or white, or southern, or (insert adjective here), I must be hated. I don’t understand the pursuit of such hatred. And what, when the objective is achieved and all those who are different are eliminated from the world, will be done then? Just as I said in my previous comment. We are people – no matter what else we choose to claim that we are. And people will continue to kill people, no matter what. God help us all – and I say all, because God created us all. The distinctions, as I said, are self-imposed.
I yield the floor, as everything I wished to convey has already been said. Forgive me, Carol, for straying off topic. I’ll try my best not to do it again.
Lofter, this has nothing to do with capital punishment (though neither did a lot of what I said…).
And I wonder what it means exactly to be a human being. But that is too much of a digression I guess…
“everything I wished to convey has already been said”
Me too…
The conversation has gone off topic, but it was great.
I think each culture has its ways and habits, and should be able apply them without foreign interference. Thus if muslims feel it is right to beat their wives when they missbehave, kill criminals in public using a sharp sword, well, it is their way. After all they are following what they consider to be the commandments of the god they worship.
Providing they do not come to our countries and try to impose their sharia to us, I am fine with that. Unhappily that is precisely what is not happening, at least with regards to KSA.
See bellow e.g. what the Wahhabi Saudi extremists are preaching in UK Mosques. It was published today at the Guardian:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/18/islam.religion
For those wishing to go off topic, please see the separate page “For Those Who wish to Debate – Your Say.” Otherwise, please do keep on topic.
[...] Death Penalty in Saudi ArabiaI was asked to write about the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. This is a subject I know little about other than it exists and I’ll routinely read in local newspapers about executions being held in various places of the Kingdom for … [...]
lol thewahhabimisanthrope, your name suits you. You’re also the perfect example of why I believe a country (such as my own) that bases its laws (progressive laws I might add) on a secular basis rather than fundamental religion is going to be a better place to live. Personal opinion of course.
Lets have a worldwide vote on whether everyone would rather live in Australia or Saudi (or any other fundamental islamic country). Wonder who comes out on top…
Anyway, each to their own. As long as my country stays as it is and Saudi the same, at least I have a country to observe where every piece of news that makes it’s way out is a source of disturbingly fascinating craziness. Probably likewise for some of the Saudis viewing my culture.
Hi Ryan,
I think your comment might be a little extreme but I realize you likely wrote it with emotions in play after reading some of the other comments.
I’m not trying to defend Saudi Arabia, Australia or any other country but would just like to remark that one should be proud of their country, their nationality and heritage. All countries have issues one way or another, that’s for sure!
It’s hard not to get emotional when extreme viewpoints are put across; whether they come from fundamentalist muslims or christians makes no difference to me. The world has generally been heading AWAY from that method of thinking, I just don’t agree with going back to it.
Anyway, by stating that my comments are only personal opinion and that some Saudis may likewise view my open, democratic culture as shocking to them as I sometimes do of theirs (thought not to the extent of places like North Korea! After all, I live in the UAE, though it’s still conservative compared with what I’m used to), I try to show that I’m not presenting myself as an extremist of any kind and agree that these countries should be allowed to exist with whatever laws, religions, customs they want… just as long as they don’t forcibly try to impose it on others; terrorists and United States foreign policy comes to mind.
Thanks for your clarifications, Ryan and do agree with you.
That’s interesting to read that you view the UAE as conservative to what you are used to. May I ask where you are from? Many of us view the UAE and particularly Dubai, as the “Paris” of the East nowadays as well as the most liberal and modern of the GCC countries.
I’m from Australia. Been here 6 months now. I don’t think its a “normal” country anyway with the majority of residents being expats from South Asia and other Arab countries. I just find it odd. However, I don’t live in Dubai which I feel is a LOT different to most of the rest of the UAE.
Ryan,
Not every Saudi shares thewahhabimisanthrope. You know you are talking to a radical when he/she takes over the conversation with many posts and always seems to talk from a position of owing the only solution for everything (i.e. does not consider that others may have better models.) There is no purpose for those discussions as he/she is here to impose an opinion.
Going back to your vote question. Mine would be for Australia and that is not because of issues with Religion, Laws or the Saudi goverment. It is precisely because there are many people like thewahhabimisanthrope in Saudi and they feel they have to impose their well on everyone.
Regards
Saudi in US, I know what you’re saying. You know it’s hard for me to even believe that there are people out there who don’t believe in freedom of expression and speech because I’ve never lived my life around or met anybody that doesn’t. It’s just a basic human right. To restrict it to me is like saying someone will now be regulating your oxygen, water or food intake. That’s why I also take lots of interest in North Korea. I think Saudi is a paradise compared to that place
Can I vote USA? Australia and Saudi are fine, but there’s no place like home!
(Says Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz as she claps her heels together 3 times and wishes it were so today….now! : ) )
I know for those of us who have grown up in an environment of freedom and not having to think twice before espousing an opinion or view or wondering who may overhear or be watching, it can be difficult or incomprehensible to understand views which are so opposed. I am aware of a number of Saudis who may in fact have wide views but feel unable to openly express them.
There are some aspects of the States in culture and procedures I don’t adhere to but am so thankful and appreciative of the freedoms which do exist.
I wonder what those ‘wide views’ are. Pray tell.
A couplet of my own (humble) composition for those friends of yours:
Those who do not fear Allah enough to refrain from heresy and sin
Must be made to fear the civil sword instead of Him.
I say ‘heresy’ and ‘sin’ but I actually mean sins which people don’t conceal and kufri beliefs that people propagate.
Henceforth, let such discussions be continued elsewhere
http://almisanthropealwahhabi.wordpress.com/
American2Saudi, You said
“Some people I’ve met in the states said they would never come here to KSA because of the execution factor for drug dealers and murderers. So, one could assume that those that take drugs, deal in drugs, or are violent people abroad are afraid to work and live here”
But I’d be willing to bet that it’s more about what you said later.
“The problem is that the ‘law of the land’ is not always used with every person in the community equally. The death penalty is very final and should be used only with 100% certainty of someone’s guilt. Look at all the people we have locked up in the states who have been freed lately due to the latest technology that proves that they were actually innocent of the crime.”
Why would someone want to live in a country that would impose the death penalty when you cannot trust that you are going tobe treated fairly? You have to wonder how many innocents have died because someone held a grudge. – Think of the Salem witch trials.
I have three questions.
Many people believe Islam is a religion of violence. I don’t honestly believe Islam preaches violence because no religion preaches violence and any sane human with any morals would not accept one that did. However, reading the punishments dished out for certain sins, especially apostasy, makes me believe Islam is violent towards its own followers. Am I wrong?
Second, having said I believe its non-violent, why did many people in various countries cause such destruction and death because of Mohammeds caricatures being printed in a newspaper? Is the religion so ultra-sensitive that any wrong remark or act can set people off at any moment?
Third, why dont high ranking muslims, those in positions of influence and public figures denounce publicly terrorist acts more often? Or am I getting a one sided picture? (IE they do denounce it, western media just doesnt report it).
Ok I’m sure I’ll get some passionate responses now
Oops my comments were meant for the debate section! Can they be deleted from here please?
you said “the accused is usually drugged before the public execution takes place.” And this is not correct at all. th accused would not be drugged.
Thanx