Islamic law originated on the Arabian peninsula in the 7th century AD, a jurisprudence shaped by specific circumstances and therefore limited to individual cases. It is barely compatible with the requirements of a modern, technological society, but still regarded by many theologians as divinely given and therefore beyond question. A consistent application of its drastic forms of corporal punishment (amputation, lashing, execution, crucifixion, retribution) results in torture, crippling or inhuman forms of execution. The application of the Shari’a is particularly shameful where inbuilt curbs such as the requirement of four witnesses or due process are set aside, and influential rulers employ it as a means of repression against powerless minorities - often Christians. Although Shari’a has been highly controversial in the UK, harsh penalties are currently unknown. See also