a senior cleric has given his seal of approval for execution by firing squad

a senior cleric has given his seal of approval for execution by firing squad, as long as it is as quick or faster than the traditional method of beheading, it was reported. Sheikh Ali Al-Hakami, member of the Senior Board of Ulema, was quoted by English language Saudi Gazette as saying that death by firing squad could be permissible according to Sharia, as long as the process is painless. “That’s why beheading by sword is the best way to achieve the purpose of punishment in Islam because it does not cause any torture,” Al-Hakami said. Al-Hakami added that religious scholars in the Gulf’s most populous country should also investigate the possibility of using other methods, such as electric chair, hanging and lethal injections, to find out if they also comply with Sharia.