By now, we have all accepted that Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno had violated Syariah law by drinking alcohol. Indeed she was convicted by a Syariah Court for this very offense and ordered to pay a fine and given 6 strokes of the cane as punishment. But now a professor of Islamic Studies has come out to say that there is no punishment prescribed in the Quran (Koran) for drinking alcohol.
This claim was made by Professor Abdullah Saeed from the Asia Institute, Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne, Australia where he is also its Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies.
The caning sentence imposed on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno has divided Malaysians. One group wants the sentence to be carried out, while the other group wants to stop this. To those who want the caning sentence to be carried out on Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, Professor Abdullah Saeed said that the focus on punishment of person sins in Islam is misguided. Added Professor Abdullah Saeed: “The question now is, will these punishments solve all the problems in Muslim societies? I, for one, am sceptical.”
Professor Abdullah Saeed explained: The Quran does not focus on punishment, but on internal transformation and an internalisation of values. The question remains: Will Muslim societies be perfect if more and more punishments are carried out?”
Think about it. Is Professor Abdullah Saeed right in saying that the Koran does not prescribe any punishment for drinking alcohol? If this is so, then what is the basis for Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno’s punishment under Syariah law for drinking alcohol?
Earlier posts
Kartika Caning – Attorney-General: “Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried”
Kartika Caning – Why Prevent Open Discussion?
Kartika Caning – Batttle Line Drawn
Caning A Woman Under Syariah Law
To Cane Or Not?
Who Is Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno?
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