Qisas facts for kids

Qisas (pronounced "Kee-sas") is an Arabic word that means "making things fair" or "justice where the punishment matches the harm." It's like the idea of "an eye for an eye," but it's more about balancing what happened. In traditional Islamic law, called sharia, qisas is a rule that allows a punishment that is similar to the crime committed.

Qisas can be used by a person who was harmed, or by their family, against someone found responsible for causing serious harm or death. If someone has caused a death, qisas gives the family of the person who died the right to ask for a punishment that could involve the life of the person who caused the death, but only if a court agrees.

However, those who have the right to qisas also have other choices. They can choose to receive money as payment (this is called diyya), or they can choose to forgive the person who caused the harm. This shows that forgiveness and making amends are also very important parts of this system.

What is Qisas?

Qisas is a term from Islamic law that focuses on justice. It means that if someone causes harm, the punishment should be similar to the harm they caused. This idea helps to make sure that justice feels balanced and fair to everyone involved. It's not just about revenge, but about restoring balance and preventing further harm.

How Qisas Works

When a serious harm or death happens, the legal system looks at the case. If a person is found responsible, the family of the person who was harmed or died has a special right under qisas. They can ask for a specific kind of justice. This process always involves a court, which makes sure everything is done fairly and according to the law. The court must approve any decision related to qisas.

Options in Qisas

One important part of qisas is that the victim's family has choices. They don't have to choose the "eye for an eye" punishment. They can instead choose to:

• Receive Diyya: This is a payment of money. It's a way for the person who caused the harm to make up for it financially.
• Grant Pardon: This means they can choose to forgive the person who caused the harm. This is a powerful act of mercy and can lead to reconciliation.

These options show that the system is flexible and allows for different ways to achieve justice and peace.

See also

In Spanish: Qisas para niños