| Zina is the Islamic word for sex outside of marriage.
Islamic law prescribes severe punishments for the act of zina by both men
and women. Premarital sex may be
punished by up to 100 lashes, while adultery is punishable by stoning. The act must
however be attested by at least four witnesses of good character, punishments are reserved to the legal authorities, and false
accusations are themselves punished severely.
The term "honor killing" refers specifically to extra-legal punishment
by the family against the woman, and as such is forbidden by the sharia.
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