What is the authenticity of the hadith: "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," what does it mean, is it obligatory to abide by it, and how was this concept replaced by the punishment of imprisonment?

What was mentioned is part of the noble verse: ﴿And We ordained for them therein: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever remits it by way of charity, it shall be an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.﴾ [Al-Ma'idah: 45].

And judging by this verse is obligatory, due to His saying, the Exalted, at its conclusion: ﴿And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.﴾ And in other verses: ﴿then it is those who are the disbelievers,﴾ and ﴿then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient.﴾

The ruling of Qisas (legal retribution) cannot be replaced unless it is impossible to implement for reasons such as the absence of the corresponding limb, or fear of damage, or its causing discord. In such cases, blood money (diyah) becomes obligatory along with discretionary punishment (ta'zir). However, if there is no excuse preventing Qisas, it is not permissible to replace it with anything else, and this is considered turning away from Allah's law. This has occurred due to the weakness of Muslims and their distance from their religion. It is incumbent upon Muslims to return to ruling by the Sharia of their Lord in all aspects of their lives.