What is the severest legal ruling in Islamic law for someone who commits acts preparatory to sodomy in countries that apply Islamic Sharia?

The harshest punishment in this case is ta'zeer (discretionary punishment), which the ruler estimates based on his ijtihad (independent reasoning) in matters where there is no prescribed hadd (fixed penalty) or kaffarah (expiation). This is the exclusive prerogative of the ruler or his deputy. It is not permissible for others to administer it, except for a husband in disciplining his disobedient wife, and for the guardian of a minor and his teacher. The number of lashes should not exceed ten, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No one should be given more than ten lashes except in a hadd from the hudud (fixed penalties) of Allah."