Disciplinary Thought and Punishments in the Medieval Islamic West

Abstract

The ruling authority in the Islamic West used various forms of torture and intimidation to confront and deter its opponents, aiming to make them an example for others.

To achieve this, they adopted severe punishments, including beheading, amputation, strangulation, and dragging. These measures often disregarded the limits set by Islamic law, focusing instead on the principle of achieving benefits and preventing harm.

The populace was compelled to accept these punishments, which became ingrained in the social and moral framework of the time.

This research paper aims to outline the different punishments implemented by the ruling authority in the Islamic West against dissenters and to evaluate the extent to which these punishments aligned with Islamic law.