The Good Life
The Shari‘ah
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sin. Do not commit adultery, for it is indecent and
evil. Do not slay any person whom God has
forbidden you to kill, except for a just cause. If
someone is slain unjustly, to his heir We have given
the right of retaliation. But let him not carry his
vengeance too far, for his victim in turn will be
assisted and avenged. Do not interfere with the
property of orphans except with the best of motives,
until they reach maturity. Keep your promises; you
are accountable for all that you promise. Give full
measure when you measure and weigh with even
scales; that is fair and better in the end. Do not
pursue what you do not know; man’s eyes, ears and
heart—each of his senses will be closely questioned.
Do not walk on the earth with haughty self-conceit;
you cannot cleave the earth, nor can you rival the
mountains in stature. All this is evil and odious in
the sight of your Lord. These injunctions are but a
part of the wisdom with which your Lord has
inspired you. Do not appoint another god with
God, or you will be cast into Hell, despised and
rejected (17:23-39).
