Shariah Punishments in Libya, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

Abstract

Libya introduced four laws between 1972 and 1974 that regulated ḥudūd crimes and other related offences. In 1994 another statute was introduced, which ordered the courts to follow the classical rules of retaliation and blood money in homicide cases. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constitution 1971 states that “Islam is the official religion of the Union, and that Islamic shariah is the main source of its legislation.” This last phrase is understood to mean that, in addition to shariah, other sources may also be utilised for purposes of legislation. The formula thus provides for a mixed legal system. Qatar Penal Code 2004 incorporates the shariah ḥudūd punishments for various offenses. Article 1 of this law states that the provisions of Islamic law concerning qiṣāṣ and taʿzīr offences also apply if the defendant or victim is a Muslim.