Assalamoalaikum. Yes before I start my question (which is a very simple one), I would just to tell you that no, this question is not about Jihad.I have read a lot about Islam and I have got some idea about it. From what I have learned, I believed Islam to be a peaceful religion. Yes, I am aware that there are some forms of exemplary capital punishment in Islam but it is all justified on the fact that they are set to prevent others from falling into the same traps. But this is the hadith I read while going through Sahih Bukhari:
Narrated by Anas
Some people were sick and they said, "O Allah's Apostle! Give us shelter and food. So when they became healthy they said, "The weather of Medina is not suitable for us." So he sent them to Al-Harra with some she-camels of his and said, "Drink of their milk." But when they became healthy, they killed the shepherd of the Prophet and drove away his camels. The Prophet sent some people in their pursuit. Then he got their hands and feet cut and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron. I saw one of them licking the earth with his tongue till he died.
Vol 7, Book 71, Number 589.
When I first read this, I could not understand. I thought that the men whom the Prophet sent must have done these brutalities on their own accord, without prior permission from the Prophet himself but then, the words "The Prophet sent.." brought me back to reality. Yet, I re-read it and tried to justify this myself but I could not reach any definite conclusion or justification. I do not think anyone on earth deserves to suffer all this. Stoning is ok, for adultery. Lashing is still acceptable for fornication. But this? I find it very hard to believe. I would love to know what you think about this hadith.
Quote:
Narrated by Anas
Some people were sick and they said, "O Allah's Apostle! Give us shelter and food. So when they became healthy they said, "The weather of Medina is not suitable for us." So he sent them to Al-Harra with some she-camels of his and said, "Drink of their milk." But when they became healthy, they killed the shepherd of the Prophet and drove away his camels. The Prophet sent some people in their pursuit. Then he got their hands and feet cut and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron. I saw one of them licking the earth with his tongue till he died.
Vol 7, Book 71, Number 589.