Religious Reasons for the Punishment of Crucifixion in the Abbasid Era (132-334 AH/750-945 AD)

Abstract

The Abbasid era (132-334 AH/750-945 AD) witnessed a marked escalation in sectarian and religious conflicts, as a result of the diversity of intellectual trends and the spread of different sects and denominations. The state resorted to the punishment of crucifixion as a tool to control the situation and contain tensions, especially those related to religious and sectarian disputes. This punishment was used against those accused of violating the official doctrine of the state or of inciting sedition and sectarian conflict. This stemmed from the authorities' desire to impose political and social stability, even if it came at the expense of the intellectual and religious freedoms of some groups and trends.