The Obscenity of Adultery in Judaism and Islam A Comparative Critical Analytical Study

Abstract

This article seeks to shed light on the issue of adultery, one of the major obscenities condemned by both Judaism and Islam. Judaism prescribes severe punishments for this act, including stoning, drowning, or burning, similar to Islam's prescribed punishment of stoning to death. However, Judaism does not differentiate between humans and animals or between married and unmarried individuals in its application of these punishments, nor does it impose specific conditions for their enforcement. In Judaism, stoning is carried out automatically on the basis of witness testimony. In contrast, Islamic law is more lenient and stipulates harsh conditions to be implemented. Stoning in Islam is applied only to married individuals, and strict requirements are established to ensure the punishment is carried out only under the most definitive circumstances. These conditions aim to avoid suspicion, protect people's privacy, and preserve their honor.

This article addresses this common concept in Judaism and Islam through three sections. The first section examines adultery in the Torah and the Talmud, the second section explores adultery in Islam, and the third section provides a comparative analysis of the views of Judaism and Islam on this issue.