Surah Al-Baqarah, akin to a profound and boundless ocean, encompasses a collection of rulings, ethical guidelines, and social and economic systems, all designed to guide humanity towards a righteous and well-ordered life. This Surah, by elucidating fundamental principles across diverse domainsfrom retribution and charity to usury and almsgivingprovides a comprehensive blueprint for a faithful and just existence.
In this treatise, through a deep examination of the verses of this Surah, an endeavour has been made to present its concepts and meanings in a fluent and dignified language, structured systematically and suited to the academic milieu. Employing literary metaphors and allusions, this work seeks to convey the spirit and message of the verses clearly and effectively, as if the light emanating from these verses illuminates the path of social and individual life.
Retribution, as a steadfast pillar in the edifice of Islamic justice, is not merely a punishment for crime but a guarantor of social order and life. This principle, beautifully elucidated in the verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, on the one hand prevents chaos and personal vengeance, and on the other hand, by opening the door to pardon and benevolence, assists in promoting mercy and reducing social tensions.
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murderedthe free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is a concession and mercy from your Lord. And whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.
Verse 178 of Surah Al-Baqarah introduces retribution as a fundamental principle in the Islamic legal system. This principle, reaching its zenith in the phrase And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life, O you [who] possess intellect. (Al-Baqarah, 179), is not only a punishment for intentional killing but also serves as a shield preserving society from collapse and endless vengeance. The emphasis on equality in executing retribution (the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female) denotes the absolute divine justice that recognises no distinction between free and slave or male and female. This equality mirrors divine justice before the eyes of humanity.
Moreover, the possibility of pardon and payment of blood money with benevolence opens a gateway to mercy and human dignity. This flexibility, expressed through the phrase a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct, indicates that the Islamic legal system, while maintaining justice, is committed to reducing social tensions and promoting social peace. However, the warning of a painful punishment for those who transgress after pardon acts as a red line, preserving divine boundaries and preventing abuse of divine mercy.
The sacred month for the sacred month and the forbidden things are retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
Verse 194 of Surah Al-Baqarah generalises retribution beyond killing to other forms of transgressions, such as violating divine sanctities. The phrase assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you stresses the principle of proportionality in punishment, akin to a scale weighing justice against any aggression. This generalisation demonstrates the comprehensiveness of the Islamic legal system, which protects not only human life but also social and religious sanctities.
The exhortation to fear Allah functions as a guiding light that clarifies the path to just implementation of law, preventing retribution from becoming a tool for vengeance. The divine promise of accompaniment to the pious motivates adherence to divine limits in enforcement of these rulings.
The system of retribution in Surah Al-Baqarah stands as a pillar fortifying the
