he must avoid the face and not strike his opponent’s vital parts.” The purpose is to discipline him, not to kill him. The blows should be distributed over the different parts of his body, such as his back, shoulders, thighs, and the like.

Section

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

The first is punishment of those who are under control, whether one person or several, as discussed above.

The second is punishment of a group that resists enforcement, such as one that can only be brought under control through fighting. The foundation of this is jihad against the disbelievers, the enemies of Allah and His Messenger. Anyone whom the Messenger of Allah’s call to the religion with which Allah sent him reaches, but who does not respond to it, must be fought:

“Until there is no more persecution and worship is devoted entirely to Allah.”

For when Allah sent His Prophet and commanded him to call people to His religion, He did not permit him to kill or fight anyone on that account until he emigrated to Medina. Then He granted permission to him and the Muslims, saying:

“Permission to fight is granted to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged. And Allah is certainly able to grant them victory.”

“Those who have been driven from their homes unjustly, merely for saying, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’ Were it not for Allah restraining some people by means of others, destruction would surely have befallen monasteries and churches