a soothsayer, the price of a dog, and the fee of one who brokers illicit acts, known as a pimp. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The price of a dog is vile, the fee of a prostitute is vile, and the fee of a soothsayer is vile.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī (1).

The prostitute’s fee is what is known as “the earnings of whores” (2). The same applies to what effeminate boys, whether slaves or free, are paid in return for committing sexual immorality with them [A/Q 29]. The soothsayer’s fee is like the gratuity paid to an astrologer or the like for the supposedly auspicious tidings he reports (3), and similar things.

If a ruler refrains from condemning such wrongs and enforcing the prescribed punishments for them in return for money he takes, he is like the leader of a band of thieves who takes a share of what the brigands seize (4), or like a pimp who receives payment to bring two people together to commit an indecent act. His condition resembles that of the wicked old woman, Lot’s wife, who betrayed him. She (5) used to direct immoral men to his guests. Allah said concerning her: “So We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was among those who remained behind” [The Heights: 83]. He, blessed and exalted is He, also said: “Travel with your family during a portion of the night, and let none of you look back, except your wife; indeed, whatever strikes them will strike her” [Hūd: 81]. Thus Allah punished that wicked old procuress just as He punished the wicked people who committed vile deeds. This is