Stoning is not “extremist”; it is Islamic law for adulterous women. 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).
“Bodies of Four Women Stoned to Death Show Marks of Torture,” from Mohabat News, November 6 (thanks to 538):
Mohabat News — Freedom Messenger website said in a news story that according to the reports published on various Iran news sites , the bodies of four women who are said to have been “stoned”, have been moved to Tehran forensic. In addition to injuries caused by throwing rocks, traces of torture are also visible on the head and faces of the women.
According to the report by Meli-Mazhabi website (a subsidiary to National-Religious opposition group of Iran) the corpses of four women who apparently had lost their lives following the execution of stoning decree, have been transferred by the judiciary security forces to Tehran forensic mortuary.
The report published on Saturday, November 03, 2012 quoting from a “reliable source” says: “Besides the traces remaining from collision of stones on the head and face of the women, traces of torture and severe beatings on their bodies ahead of the stoning is also visible. Based on the contents of their files, these four women had been convicted for illicit relations and drug abuse crimes.”
It adds that no one has referred to the forensic for officially delivering the bodies during the past few days. It is not clear that on what date the trial has been held and whether or not their families are aware of their status.
News of stoning of these four women have been published while in the October 4, 2012, Allahyar Malekshahi, Law and Justice Committee chairman of Islamic Consultative Assembly (the Parliament) had spoke of determining alternative punishment for “stoning” in the new bill of “Islamic Penal Code”….