Alcohol, Corporal Punishment and Syariah Law

There are two main schools of thought pertaining to corporal punishment. It has been phased out from much of the Western world, where it is perceived to be inhumane and degrading. In many parts of Asia and Africa, however, corporal punishment is still legally practised as a warning to deter potential criminals.

Under Islamic syariah law, flogging is routinely meted out as a punishment for various offences, ranging from rape to drug trafficking. The whipping is carried out with a long, thick length of rattan which causes intense pain, breaks open the skin and leaves lasting scars.

Many drinkers, including the large populations of Chinese and Indians in Malaysia who are not subject to syariah laws, would argue the fact that alcohol consumption is such a minimal offence which could hardly be considered a crime, in lieu of other more serious threats to social stability like rape and murder.

However, it is clearly stipulated in the Quran that alcohol is prohibited, and any substance which causes intoxication is forbidden to Muslims. In Surah Al-Maaidah verse 90, it is stated "O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to Stones, and (divination by) Arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork; Keep away from such, that Ye may prosper."

There are two main schools of thought pertaining to corporal punishment. It has been phased out from much of the Western world, where it is perceived to be inhumane and degrading. In many parts of Asia and Africa, however, corporal punishment is still legally practised as a warning to deter potential criminals.

Under Islamic syariah law, flogging is routinely meted out as a punishment for various offences, ranging from rape to drug trafficking. The whipping is carried out with a long, thick length of rattan which causes intense pain, breaks open the skin and leaves lasting scars.

Many drinkers, including the large populations of Chinese and Indians in Malaysia who are not subject to syariah laws, would argue the fact that alcohol consumption is such a minimal offence which could hardly be considered a crime, in lieu of other more serious threats to social stability like rape and murder.

However, it is clearly stipulated in the Quran that alcohol is prohibited, and any substance which causes intoxication is forbidden to Muslims. In Surah Al-Maaidah verse 90, it is stated "O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to Stones, and (divination by) Arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork; Keep away from such, that Ye may prosper."