Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions > January 1997

Qiṣāṣ

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | 589 words | Copyright

Qiṣāṣ (Arab., ‘retaliation’). The principle, in Islam, of limited retaliation for harm inflicted. In contrast to the blood-feuds of pre-Islamic Arabia (often lasting for years and generations), the Qurʾān commends a substitutionary compensation (5. 45)—though where victim and perpetrator are of equal status, talion is admitted in strict relationship to the perpetrator alone. Where a life has been taken, the life of the killer may be taken (2. 179), but no further revenge-killing is allowed: in effect, retribution replaced revenge.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Qiṣāṣ." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Qiṣāṣ." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Qi1.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Qiṣāṣ." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Qi1.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: