By Kamala
July 3, 2010

What does Islamic law dictate as punishment for a parent who kills his or her child?

Consider Reliance of the Traveller: A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law:
It is certified by Al-Azhar University as a translation that "corresponds to the Arabic original and conforms to the practice and faith of the orthodox Sunni Community...":



Here is the certification in Arabic:



Note that this Sharia manual also garners respect in the USA. Dr. Alan Godlas, Associate Professor of Religion at the University of Georgia, calls it a "carefully translated manual of the proper practice of Islam (shari'a) according to the Shafi'i madh'hab. It has been an essential book in the library of any serious English speaking Muslim or scholar of Islam since its publication in 1991."

In Book O, titled "Justice," in section 1, "Who is Subject to Retaliation for Injurious Crimes," section o1.1 reads, "Retaliation is obligatory ... against anyone who kills a human being purely intentionally and without right...":



However, o1.2 clarifies (above) that "The following are not subject to retaliation" and then lists — after the lovely, egalitarian "Muslim for killing a non-Muslim" and "Jewish or Christian subject ... for killing an apostate" — "(4) a father or mother (or their fathers or mothers) for killing their offspring, or offspring's offspring":