for punishing those who commit sin…
am i right to assume then, that we dont necessarily have to forgive…
Re: if islam preaches forgiveness, why do we have a shariah legal system
^there is no system that is more forgiving than the 'true' Islamic Shariah system, hands down.
Re: if islam preaches forgiveness, why do we have a shariah legal system
and if you wish to understand this true system then you will have to look at the lives of the real representatives of Allah (swt) and how the interpreted and implemented such system.
for punishing those who commit sin.....
am i right to assume then, that we dont necessarily have to forgive......
yes you don't necessarily have to forgive. but if you forgive its better for you. you should forgive if it will cause more good rather than punishment.
Re: if islam preaches forgiveness, why do we have a shariah legal system
Peace nadz123
The answer to the question can be found from various references.
Amongst Imam Nawawis 40 hadith there is one that is "There shall be no harm nor reciprocating harm" ... i.e. harm shall be prevented or stopped.
Forgiveness has a proviso.
That the person 'seeks' it ...
It has be taken into consideration with justice
That the victim gives it
So someone can be forgiven yet still charged. Forgiveness can also take place on a personal level with Allah (SWT). However damage to society should be met with due trial and charges because this will behave like a 'prevention' to further like crimes ... hence fulfilling the requirement to both 'stop the harm and prevent it from happening again'.
In another narration the prophet Muhammad (SAW) advises his companions to protect the victims and the criminals. He was asked how can the criminals be protected, the answer given was to 'prevent them from wronging themselves in the crimes they are going to commit'. - paraphrased hadith. I'll look for the actual soon inshaAllah.
If the victim forgives rather than taking recompense then they will be due for a greater reward in the hereafter ... Allahu'alim.
Re: if islam preaches forgiveness, why do we have a shariah legal system
Isalm even forgives capital punishment of a murderer, if the family of the victim is willing. My guess is this is because the crime was committed against the family and not the state or against Islam.