Stoning adulterers is not “extremist”; it is Islamic law. The caliph Umar, one of Muhammad’s closest companions, even maintained that it was originally in the Qur’an:
‘Umar said, “I am afraid that after a long time has passed, people may say, “We do not find the Verses of the Rajam (stoning to death) in the Holy Book,” and consequently they may go astray by leaving an obligation that Allah has revealed. Lo! I confirm that the penalty of Rajam be inflicted on him who commits illegal sexual intercourse, if he is already married and the crime is proved by witnesses or pregnancy or confession.” Sufyan added, “I have memorized this narration in this way.” ‘Umar added, “Surely Allah’s Apostle carried out the penalty of Rajam, and so did we after him.” (Bukhari, vol. 8, bk. 82, no. 816)
“Allah’s Apostle” is, of course, Muhammad, who did indeed carry out stonings. Here is the hadith in which he challenges the rabbis about stoning, and in which there is amidst the barbarism and brutality a final act of love and compassion:
The Jews came to Allah’s Apostle and told him that a man and a woman from amongst them had committed illegal sexual intercourse. Allah’s Apostle said to them, “What do you find in the Torah (old Testament) about the legal punishment of Ar-Rajm (stoning)?” They replied, (But) we announce their crime and lash them.” Abdullah bin Salam said, “You are telling a lie; Torah contains the order of Rajm.” They brought and opened the Torah and one of them solaced his hand on the Verse of Rajm and read the verses preceding and following it. Abdullah bin Salam said to him, “Lift your hand.” When he lifted his hand, the Verse of Rajm was written there. They said, “Muhammad has told the truth; the Torah has the Verse of Rajm. The Prophet then gave the order that both of them should be stoned to death. (‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “I saw the man leaning over the woman to shelter her from the stones.” (Bukhari, vol. 4, bk. 56, no. 829)
Even the monkeys practiced stoning, according to another hadith:
During the pre-lslamic period of ignorance I saw a she-monkey surrounded by a number of monkeys. They were all stoning it, because it had committed illegal sexual intercourse. I too, stoned it along with them. (Bukhari, vol. 5, bk. 58, no. 188)
Muhammad’s example is, of course, normative for Islamic behavior, since “verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much” (Qur’an 33:21).
“Bangladeshi clergies recommend stoning for Hina-Bilawal,” from the Weekly Blitz, October 1 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
Eminent Islamic scholars, leaders and clergies in Bangladesh are recommending punishment under Sharia law for Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar and co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party [PPP] Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the adultery. According to Bangladeshi daily newspaper the Amader Orthoneeti [Our Economy], eminent Islamic scholar and leader of the Islami Oikya Jote [Islamic Unity Movement] Mufti Fazlul Huq Amini, commenting on allegation of adultery of Hina and Bilawal told the daily, “If this report is true, it cannot be accepted under the Islamic laws. If Bilawal Bhutto is truly a bisexual and alcoholic; he does not have right to become the head of the state of any Muslim nation. The laws in Pakistan, does not permit such illicit activities.”
He said, punishment of adultery under Islamic code is stoning to death or whipping. Hina Rabbani Khar and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari now must stand for trial under the Islamic law, if they are found guilty.
Mizbahur Rahman, Islamic scholar and politician commenting on allegation of adultery between Hina Rabbani Khar and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Islam forbids adultery and extra-marital relations.
“This is a severe offense under the Islamic laws. Bilawal Bhutto is a criminal in the eyes of Islamic law and such people can never be allowed to continue as a leader or head of the state in any Muslim nation”, he said.
It may be mentioned here that, constitutionally Pakistan is an Islamic republic, where Islamic laws must be strictly applied to any such cases of adultery irrespective of the social or otherwise positions of the committers.