“Alongside the photos, a statement reads: ‘Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.'” That’s Qur’an 33:57.
The advocates of stoning are universally described as “extremists,” as in the IBT headline on this story, but they can and do claim that they are simply implementing Islamic law. The caliph Umar, one of Muhammad’s closest companions, maintained that the punishment of stoning for adultery (this story doesn’t specify the method of punishment, but the outcome of the punishment is the same in any case) 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).
“Isis in Syria: Photos show extremists stoning a couple to death for adultery and beheading four men,” by Thomas Wyke, International Business Times, December 13, 2014 (thanks to Twostellas):
New photos have emerged on social media showing Islamic State fighters carrying out horrific executions in accordance of their radical interpretation of Sharia law.
The extremist group have released photos showing the stoning to death of a couple who were accused of committing adultery, as well as the beheading of four men for blasphemy in Syria.
The stoning happened in the small Syrian town of Manbij, in the province of Aleppo. It is believed to be the ninth time that Islamic State has documented a stoning and posted the photographs online.
According to the statement which accompanied the photos, a married man and a married woman were found guilty of committing adultery and were punished by stoning, a punishment known as the “Hadd of Zina”.
The photos show a huge crowd, consisting almost entirely of men and children, watching the shocking event from the slopes of a roadside. Masked fighters, carrying their weapons can be seen among the hordes of people.
The photos come just days after a man was stoned to death for adultery in the Islamic State held province of al-Furat in Iraq. Photos show a man with his hands tied behind his back and a white blindfold over his eyes. He is seen kneeling in a large trench, dug out from the rocky earth.
Another photo shows how a crowd of locals gathered to watch the horrific event. Several Islamic State soldiers in military fatigues are shown holding large rocks in their hands. They are photographed hurling rocks at the man in the trench until he is dead.
As well as the stoning of adulterers, Islamic State have regularly beheaded anyone who insults Islam. Images have been circulating since yesterday, showing the beheading of four men, accused of committing blasphemy. The beheading were carried out in a small village in the Syrian province of [sic]
Images circulating since yesterday show the beheading of four men accused of blasphemy. The killings were carried out in a small village in the Syrian province of Homs.
The photos show a crowd of men and young boys watching the event at an open paved square. An Islamic State fighter announces the crimes of the victims before the executions are carried out.
All four of the men are shown with their hands tied behind their back and a chequered scarf covering their eyes.
The executioner, wearing all black and with his face covered by a hood, can be seen in the photograph, swinging a large cleaver-like blade. The final photos, showing the beheaded bodies lying on the ground, are too graphic to be published.
Alongside the photos, a statement reads: “Those who annoy Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.”