[Akbar]

Nomad,
I'm sure it was a practice in place before the Jews due to the barbaric nature of it. It became more common place in Islam after Muhammed informed Jews that they should punish Jews based on their own laws, not Muslim laws. Misguided Muslims took it as being a new law for Islam. Due to Muslims not using logic when they apply some of the actions that Muhammed did over 1500 years ago. They are in complete darkness and cannot be given light to get out until they believe only in God. They believe more in their cultural practices than God. So their punishment is continued darkness.