Does the verse, "So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same manner that he has assaulted you," include assaulting an elderly person, such that an elderly man who assaults someone by hitting them should be hit back in the same manner?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
An elderly aggressor is not exempt from the verse of qisas. There is no qisas for a slap or similar acts according to the majority of jurists, due to the impossibility of exact retribution (mumathalah). However, some scholars deem qisas permissible in such cases, based on the general import of the texts. This view was favored by Ibn Taymiyyah, who cited the Quran and as evidence, arguing that qisas in such matters is more just than discretionary punishment (ta'zir), and that exact retribution is possible to the extent achievable. It is permissible to retaliate for insults in kind.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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