Nourah Abdul Aziz Al-Khereiji, 24/5/08
The discriminatory taaziri (deterrent) punishments — that are not defined by Shariah — include lashes and imprisonment. Our courts issue such punishments in many circumstances. Judges are given the authority to order various punishments such as flogging or imprisonment or rebukes or fines or deportation — in accordance with discretion and the interpretation of the Qur’an and Sunnah. This is in order to discourage people from committing sins and crimes for which the Shariah ordains no specific punishment. If the punishments for traffic violations circulated through the Internet — based on the new traffic law, which came into effect at the beginning of this Hijrah year — include three types of taazir punishments for each violation: 20 lashes, fines and imprisonment. It is strange that the traffic department has exceeded the limits set by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for lashes. “Nobody should be given more than 10 lashes except in hudood punishments ordained by Allah,” the Prophet said.
See: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=110226&d=25&m=5&y=2008
Tags: Legal, Religion, Saudi Arabia