Explore Verses Related to retribution given in the Torah
At a Glance
📖 Quranic Context
A foundational principle in Islamic jurisprudence regarding criminal law, affirming a continuous divine legal tradition.
Establishes Allah as the Ultimate Lawgiver whose principles of justice transcend different revelations.
💭 Theological Perspective
Addresses the human need for justice and prevention of escalating vengeance by establishing a principle of equivalence.
Balances the demand for justice with the spiritual benefit of forgiveness, offering a path to expiation.
Shows the continuity of divine law and affirms the Quran as a confirmer (muhaymin) of previous scriptures.
The choice to forgive the right of retribution is presented as a significant act of charity and a means of atoning for one's own sins.
📜 Hadith Perspective
The Prophet Muhammad's judgments affirmed the principles of Qisas, ensuring equity between all members of society, including men and women.
- Equality of blood among Muslims.
- Encouragement of forgiveness over retaliation.
Islamic scholars unanimously agree that the principle outlined in 5:45 is an established part of Islamic law.
💎 Deeper Insights
Quran 5:45 acts as a legal and theological 'bridge,' demonstrating how the Quran confirms the divine laws of the past while simultaneously completing them. It validates the Torah's law to show a single divine source, then adds the 'forgiveness for expiation' clause to introduce a higher spiritual objective, showcasing the Quran's role as a guardian (muhaymin) that perfects, not just replaces, previous revelations.
— Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi
The act of forgoing retribution is termed 'tasaddaqa' (to give charity). This reframes forgiveness not as a passive act of letting go, but as an active, positive spiritual transaction. The victim 'donates' their right to justice back to the perpetrator for the sake of Allah, and in return, Allah 'expiates' the victim's own sins. This turns personal injury into an opportunity for spiritual profit, a concept central to Islamic ethics.
— General Scholarly Consensus