striking the face (1), and he forbade disparaging the face (2), because Allah Most High created Adam in His image. Since Allah created it in the form to which He gave special care, perfecting and beautifying it, striking it would cause it to be scratched and disfigured—especially when Allah Most High has made the face the most beautiful part of a person. For this reason, He created it in the form He chose and willed, distinct from the rest of the body. So it must not be disparaged; one should not say, “May Allah disfigure your face.”

The head is also to be avoided; that is, the head should not be struck when administering the prescribed punishment. This is because pain in the head is severe, as there is no flesh over it to protect it from the blow. The blow would therefore reach the bone, causing pain, and healing may perhaps be delayed.

The private parts are likewise to be avoided—meaning the man’s penis and the woman’s private parts—because this is harmful, and a blow to the testicles may even kill a man; a person may die from it.

Vital areas are likewise to be avoided, such as the liver, the area of the heart, or the area of the kidneys. These places must be avoided, because the purpose is not to destroy the person upon whom the prescribed punishment is being carried out.

But if the beating is a discretionary punishment rather than a prescribed punishment, there is no harm in striking