killing and crucifixion; killing without crucifixion; cutting off a hand and a foot from opposite sides; and banishment from the land. Thus, if they kill and take property, they are killed and crucified. If they kill without taking property, they are killed without being crucified. If they take property without killing, their hands and feet are cut off from opposite sides. If they neither take property nor kill, they are banished. Thus, there is the combination of both acts, the occurrence of either one alone, and the absence of both. “For all are degrees according to what they have done.” [al-An‘am: 132]

How was this classification derived, when the noble verse states: “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive throughout the land spreading corruption is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off from opposite sides, or be banished from the land”? And when the word “or” occurs in the Quran, it indicates a choice. So where did this classification come from?

They said: It is based on a report from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “If they kill and take property, they are killed and crucified. If they kill without taking property, they are killed but not crucified. If they take property without killing, their hands and feet are cut off from opposite sides. If they terrorize travellers on the road, they are banished.” (1)

They also said: Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, was the interpreter of the Quran. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Allah, grant him understanding of the religion and teach him the interpretation.” (2)

They further said: The usual pattern in the Quran is that when a matter is given as a choice, the lighter option is mentioned first; whereas when it is given in sequence, the more severe option is mentioned first. Thus, the levels of expiation for zihar are sequential, because it begins with the most severe option: the manumission of a slave,