QASĀMAH (قسامة). Lit. “Taking an oath.” An oath under the following circumstances:—
When a person is found slain in a place, and it is not known who was the murderer, and his heirs demand satisfaction for his blood from the inhabitants of the district, then fifty of the inhabitants selected by the next of kin, must be put to their oaths and depose to this effect: “I swear by God that I did not kill him, nor do I know the murderer.”
This custom is founded upon the Mosaic law. See [Deut. xxi. 1–9].
AL-QAṢAṢ (القصص). “The narrative.” The title of the XXVIIIth Sūrah of the Qurʾān. So called because in the 25th verse of this chapter Moses is said to have related the narrative of his adventures to Shuʿaib.
QASM (قسم). Lit. “To divide.” A division of conjugal rights, which is enjoined by the Muslim law. (See Mishkāt, book xiii. ch. x.)
AL-QAṢWĀʾ (القصواء). Lit. “One whose ears are cropt.” Muḥammad’s celebrated she-camel who conveyed him in the flight from Makkah.
QATL (قتل). [[MURDER].]
QATTĀT (قتات). A slanderer. A tale-bearer, who, according to the Traditions, will not enter the kingdom of heaven; for the Prophet has said, “A tale-bearer shall not enter Paradise.” (Mishkāt, book xxii. ch. x. pt. 1.)
QAT̤ʿU ʾT̤-T̤ARĪQ (قطع الطريق). [[HIGHWAY ROBBERY].]
QAUL (قول). A saying; a promise; a covenant. The word occurs in the Qurʾān frequently in these senses.