Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Execution by shooting is permissible in the Shariah if it is proved that it is faster than or similar to beheading in ending one's life, said Sheikh Ali Al-Hakami, member of the Senior Board of Ulema. Beheading, as a form of punishment in Islam, aims to end life quickly, Al-Hayat newspaper quoted Al-Hakami as saying. In fact, the main manner of all penalties in Islam is to end one's life without undue torture and as quickly as possible, he noted. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “When you slaughter (an animal), do it in the best manner by sharpening your knife to put the animal at ease.” The punishment of execution or beheading is based on this saying by the Prophet, he explained. A person's soul should be ended as fast as possible while at the same time not hurting or torturing him because the purpose is to punish, not to torture. “That's why beheading by sword is the best way to achieve the purpose of punishment in Islam because it does not cause any torture.” He said that if there are other means to carry out the sentencing without torture, there is no harm in using it. The sword has been used as a tool for beheading since the time of the Prophet (pbuh), Al-Hakami noted. However, it is permissible to apply execution by shooting if it serves the same purpose. He pointed out that the other forms of punishment such as electric chair, hanging and syringes containing lethal doses being used in other countries need to be studied by scholars. Focus should be on ensuring any form of execution is in line with the main purpose of punishment in the Shariah.
