Repealing the Law of Jaahiliyyah

Last updated on October 1st, 2025 at 05:16 am

 وَالْاُنْثىٰ بِالْاُنْثىٰ 

Surah Baqarah, Aayat 178

“[A] female for a female.”

This Aayat does not negate the execution of a male for the killing of a female. It proscribes transgressing the limits by executing someone besides the actual killer.

Bani Nadheer and Bani Quraidhah were among the Jewish tribes living in Madinah. The Bani Nadheer considered themselves to be superior to the Quraidhah, hence they asserted that if the Quraidhah killed a slave of the Bani Nadheer, they (the Bani Natheer ) would kill a free man of the Quraidhah; and if a woman of the Natheer was killed they would kill a male of the Quraidhah. This was prior to the Advent of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

After the Battle of Badr when Muslims gain ascendancy and Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) set his sights on the Jewish tribes dwelling in Madinah, the Quraidhah and Natheer settled to live as citizens under Muslim Rule. They consented to abide by the Law of Islam pertaining to retributive justice and blood money.

Then, a person belonging to the Bani Natheer clan was killed by a Quraidhah member. The Bani Natheer vehemently proclaimed that they will only settle for the execution of two Qauraidhah men for the killing of their man.

The case was brought before Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) passed verdict that the blood of one Quradhi was equal to the blood of one Natheeri and vice versa. The Bani Natheer refused to submit to this decision.

In consequence,  the Aayat was revealed: “What! Do you pursue the Law of Jaahiliyyah (the Pagan Times)!?” (Surah Maaidah, 50)

And the Aayat: “Equal retribution has been ordained upon you in killings… (Surah Baqarah, 178)” was also revealed.

(At-Tayseer)