Atonement Is Wrong

• Do no kill unlawfully those whose lives God has made sacred, but if someone is killed unjustly we give his representative power [to revenge] but he should not be excessive in killing; he will certainly be helped" (17:33; 6:151, 25:68, 18:74).

• It is out of the question for a believer to kill another believer unless in error (6:92).

• If two parties of the believers fight, reconcile them. If one side attacks the other, fight the aggressor until he submits to the order of God; if he submits, reconcile the two according to justice and treat them justly (49:9).

• We prescribed for them [the Jews] 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 that wounds are to be requited in kind; but whoever makes an alms of this right will have atonement for his own [sins] (5:45;

He had been to a clinic and the doctor prescribed anti-biotics, though there was not any improvement. Then, a local healer who deals with herbal medicine observed the case. He brought a teaspoon of palm oil and applied it to the aperture. As he predicted, the white spot inside protruded and began to absorb the palm oil. What was found was a worm. A firm squeeze brought out a healthy white maggot-like worm, which began wiggling on the ground. If this were Europe or America, one might have called in a lawyer due to malpractice.

As death approaches, other ethical choices have to be made. Traditional norms do not permit people to suggest that the person is going to die or to decide burial arrangements. Yet, the dying person on his or her own may raise the question of death. The person has a right to know his condition. He should be free to accept or reject painkillers that reduce his mental alertness. It is a problem to counsel a person to accept death and perhaps make a will or any other necessary arrangements, including the donation of