and in matters of wealth and similar rights. Indeed, in some of their countries the king and the entire army are Christians, while a small Muslim minority lives among them with its own judge. Thus, in cases of blood and property they refer the people to the rulings of the Muslims’ sacred law. Now, although it is commendable for the wronged person to pardon his oppressor in matters of life and property, the judge who sits between people and rules that the injured party must forgo his right is judging with injustice, not with justice.

If we were to command every heir of a murder victim not to take retribution against the killer, every creditor not to demand his debt but to leave the matter to the debtor’s discretion, and every person who has been insulted or struck not to seek redress from his oppressor, the wrongdoers would have no deterrent to restrain them; the strong would oppress the weak and the earth would become corrupt. Allah the Exalted says: “Were it not that Allah checks some people by means of others, the earth would surely have been corrupted” (Quran 2:251).

Therefore, it is indispensable to have a law that ensures judgment according to justice, while at the same time encouraging people to forgive and to choose gracious conduct. Such is the law of Islam, as is evident from the verses we have already cited, including His words: “For wounds there is equal retaliation; but whoever remits it as charity, that shall be an expiation for him” (Quran 5:45).