the shoulders, thighs, and similar parts.

Section

The punishments prescribed by Islamic law for those who disobey Allah and His Messenger are of two kinds:

The first is the punishment of those who can be brought under control, whether one person or several, as discussed above.

The second is the punishment of a resistant group [A/Q 49], such as one that can be subdued only through fighting. The basis for this is jihad against the unbelievers—the enemies of the religion of Allah (1) and His Messenger. Anyone whom (2) the Messenger of Allah’s call to the religion for which he was sent has reached, yet who does not respond to him, must be fought until persecution is no more and (3) religion is entirely for Allah.

When Allah sent His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and commanded him to call humankind to His religion, He did not permit him to kill or fight anyone on account of it. This remained the case until he emigrated to Medina, whereupon Allah granted him and the Muslims permission in His words, exalted is He:

“Permission to fight has been granted to those who are being fought because they have been wronged. Allah is surely able to grant them victory. (39) They are those who were unjustly driven from their homes merely for saying, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’ Had Allah not repelled some people by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which Allah’s name is mentioned abundantly would surely have been destroyed. Allah will certainly support whoever supports Him. Indeed, Allah is All-Strong, Almighty. (40) They are those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer, give the prescribed alms, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. The outcome of all matters belongs to Allah.” [al-Hajj: 39–41]

Thereafter, He made fighting obligatory upon them in His words, exalted is He: “It has been prescribed