Lesson plan
Cross-amputation
Cross-amputation ( ) is a form of punitive judicial limb amputation and one of the Hudud punishments prescribed under Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia law). It involves removing diagonally opposite limbs from the alleged transgressor, typically the right hand and left foot. The scriptural authority for the double amputation procedure is in the Quran (surah 5: 33 and 38), which stipulates: The right hand is always amputated during the administration of the punishment regardless of whether the victim is right- or left-handed. This is because the Muslim faith decrees that the right hand should be used for clean purposes such as writing or eating, while the left is reserved for unclean tasks, such as cleaning following defecation. By removing the right hand as part of the punishment, the victim is subsequently forced to use his or her 'unclean' left hand for tasks such as eating, and this added humiliation or indignity is regarded as part of the punishment. The punishment is sometimes combined with crucifixion, whereby the culprit is first of all attached to a cross (either by rope or by being nailed to the cross) and then the right hand and left foot are cut off. Such a sentence usually leads to death by blood loss.
Article summary
Cross-amputation ( ) is a form of punitive judicial limb amputation and one of the Hudud punishments prescribed under Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia law). It involves removing diagonally opposite limbs from the alleged transgressor, typically the right hand and left foot. The scriptural authority for the double amputation procedure is in the Quran (surah 5: 33 and 38), which stipulates: The right hand is always amputated during the administration of the punishment regardless of whether the victim is right- or left-handed. This is because the Muslim faith decrees that the right hand should be used for clean purposes such as writing or eating, while the left is reserved for unclean tasks, such as cleaning following defecation. By removing the right hand as part of the punishment, the victim is subsequently forced to use his or her 'unclean' left hand for tasks such as eating, and this added humiliation or indignity is regarded as part of the punishment. The punishment is sometimes combined with crucifixion, whereby the culprit is first of all attached to a cross (either by rope or by being nailed to the cross) and then the right hand and left foot are cut off. Such a sentence usually leads to death by blood loss.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.