His statement, “and with a sharp instrument,” means that retaliation may likewise be carried out only with a sharp instrument—that is, one with an edge—as opposed to a blunt instrument. Retaliation may not be carried out with a blunt instrument, due to the Prophet’s ﷺ saying: “Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. So, when you kill, kill in the best manner; and when you slaughter, slaughter in the best manner. Let each of you sharpen his blade and spare his slaughtered animal suffering.” (1) If we retaliate against this offender with a blunt instrument, we have not treated him well. This is a condition in all prescribed punishments.

His statement, “Retaliation for a life may be carried out only by striking the neck,” and not otherwise, means that if one were to strike him in the middle of his body, he must not be allowed to do so. Likewise, if he were to strike him on the crown of his head, he must not be allowed to do so. Rather, the neck must be struck, because it is where the blood vessels converge and is less painful for the person being executed.

His statement, “with a sword,” means: not with anything else. A sword is required, because it is the most effective of the instruments used for killing.

His statement, “even if the offender killed him by some other means,” means other than a sword. Thus, if the offender killed him with bullets, the offender is not killed with bullets; rather, he is killed with a sword. If he killed him with a stone, he is not killed with a stone; rather, he is killed with a sword. If he killed him by electric shock, he is not killed in that manner; rather, he is killed with a sword. If he killed him with the evil eye or sorcery, he is not killed by that means; rather, with a sword. And if he killed him with poison, he is not killed with it; rather, he is killed with a sword.

The wording “even if” indicates that there is a difference of opinion, and the disagreement in this issue is that