I wish to comment on the letters by Eva Ibrahim ([#1]Let's not cut off anyone's hand[/#], April 5) and Steve Oh ([#2]Outdated, dehumanising practice[/#], April 6). Islamic law is truly misunderstood. Many perceive it as barbaric, cruel and outdated. In fact, it is actually the opposite. Islam advocates justice. Muslims believe that Islamic law was revealed to Muhammad from none other than the almighty god, Allah.

Let us compare the fairness of Islamic law as opposed to the secular law that is currently in practice. Secular law does not differentiate between the rich and poor. It considers all people equal. Thus a pauper who steals a loaf of bread out of hunger is considered a thief and is thus subsequently jailed.

Not so under Islamic law. When a poor man steals to feed his family, he is forgiven. However, when a rich and powerful person steals out of lust and greed, Allah commands that his hand be cut off. This proves that Islamic law is actually fairer than the secular law that exists in Malaysia today.

It is also quite common to find in Malaysia cases where poor people are jailed for stealing bare necessities such as clothing and slippers but rich businessmen who commit criminal breach of trust worth millions of ringgit are let off with a fine.

This is because secular law regards the reputation of a wealthy businessman to be above that of a vagrant. So since the vagrant has no reputation to lose, he must therefore be jailed. And since the rich businessman has lost his reputation thus it is no longer important to punish him greatly. Under an Islamic legal system, the vagrant would be let off and the wealthy person would have his hand amputated.