Recently, there has been a lot of press about a Malaysian model who was sentenced to be caned for drinking in public. The Malaysian authorities decided to postpone the punishment until after the holy month of Ramadan. See eg.
http://us.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/24/malaysia.model.caning/index.html
What struck me from this story are a few things:
1. She plead guilty and asked for the punishment
2. The authorities delayed her punishment.

While it might not be evident to most people, the two things listed above are what make the spirit of our religion special.
Most would take the view that this is some prehistoric archaic form of law and punishment, and we need to wake up and join the civilized world.

In the revealed religions, the concept of divinely ordained punishments is one consistent throughout history. From "an eye for an eye" to the famous stoning statement "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", certain crimes deserve certain punishments in this life in order to prevent the person from suffering eternal punishment in the afterlife.

In Islam, those crimes and punishments are known as Hudud حدود
1. Adultery and Fornication
2. False accusation of Adultery/Fornication
3. Drinking Alcohol
4. Murder
5. Theft

Each one of them has a prescribed punishment.
But what makes these crimes and punishments illustrate the spirit of God in the religion is that in the proper application, with the exception of murder and theft, and even for murder and theft for that matter, the majority of the time someone will be punished for a crime is when they themselves come forward and seek penitence by confessing and asking for the punishment. Which is why #2 is listed, unless you have 4 witnesses who saw the actual specific physical act of Adultery, to accuse someone is punishable.

In addition, the idea of forgiveness is very much entrenched. If someone comes forward to confess, the traditions say you must not rush to punish them. You must verify the facts, and allow for possible ramnifications to manifest.

So if a thief stole because he was hungry and poor, it is not a punishable offense. You also can give them a chance to change their mind. Also, if you are the victim of a crime, you have the ability to forgive the criminal and prevent the punishment.

As I read it, the Malaysian authorities have taken the step of delaying the punishment of this lady for the sake of this blessed month. And she has opted to accept the punishment in this life rather than fight the punishment here for the sake of her salvation in the hereafter. What is so wrong with that?