Origin of İntiqam in Islamic Jurisprudence

Origin of İntiqam

The word "İntiqam" is derived from the Arabic root word 'نقم' which means revenge. In Islamic jurisprudence, this concept refers to the act of killing another person in retaliation after they have killed someone else, serving as punishment for murder. This practice follows the Quranic verse where it says if you kill a man, except for a murderer or mischief maker, then we will make you taste the same thing. Thus, the idea behind İntiqam is that one who commits a crime like murder must receive their just deserts through reciprocal violence.

In traditional Islamic society, the concept went beyond merely avenging personal harm; rather, it was part of maintaining social order by redressing moral wrongs that were not addressed by legal sanctions. However, some scholars argue that while the Islamic law allows for tit-for-tat justice between individuals, it does not condone collective vengeance, which can easily lead to further cycles of blood feuds and tribal warfare. Instead, what Islam promotes is individual responsibility, emphasizing that each Muslim has his own duty before God to do good deeds and avoid evil ones.