Cannibalism and Islamic Doctrine of Protection of Life and Wealth Cited in the Encyclopedia of Religion (Lindsay Jones): A Comparative Study

Abstract

Cannibalism is a practice that has remained sensitive in many societies and in history has an interesting relationship with Islamic law that prohibits the taking of the life or wealth of other people as highlighted by Lindsay Jones Encyclopedia of Religion. This paper seeks to discuss some of the cultural and religious differences within cannibalism and expanded the knowledge that Islam only permits the consumption of human flesh in exceptional situations for instance when the person is starved to death. Cannibalism in the historical context is analyzed considering such case studies as the Siege of Baghdad in 1258 and the Siege of Ta if in 630 AD to describe the ethical and moral factors that might have influenced the use of this practice at the time. The work also focuses on the psychological plane where the motifs of cannibalism signify and where the dichotomy between self and other is highly fluid. But in modern days, this research becomes vital as the expansion of globalization and shift in the culture’s social expectations bring into question the true intent of cannibalism by the Muslim community. It is up religious scholars to explain and give insight on anti-cannibalism legislations in the religion as it has tolerance, fairness and human dignity. This proves the assertion that none of the religions of the world or the Islam recognize such actions and reaffirms the ban on cannibalism. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that various forms of cannibalism are still present in today’s societies in some shape or form, whether symbolic or metaphoric, which makes it crucial for ethicists to keep evaluating it. The criminals studied recommend that although cases of modern day cannibalism might not be commonplace, the issues of moral and ethology may still effectively exist. Subsequent research could establish the occurrences of the practice in the era of the Muslim-majority population and ethical dilemmas in Arabian societies. Therefore, it can be said that this study has indeed shed some light and contributed to the analysis of the practical ethical and moral questions related to cannibalism, directly contrasting it with the Islamic principles. Thus, by revealing the discrepancy between cannibalism and the religion of Islam, the created study enhances the understanding of the given universal ethical issues, which stem from the fact that no religion allows such horrific actions.

Keywords: Cannibalism, Historical, Analysis, Religious, Islamic Principles, Human Dignity, Symbolic, Metaphoric, Effectively Exist, Horrific Actions