Is Stoning Instructed in Quran ?

   There is a misconception among the traditional societies particularly in the Middle East where it is commonly believed that stoning is somehow associated with Quran and it is a sentence  authorized by Quran.  In most cases when they are asked to provide any proof for their claim they mention that the word "Rajm" meaning stoning has been stated in Quran.   Below are the five verses in which this word is used in reference to stoning.  

11:91

They said, "O Shu'ayb, we do not understand much of what you say, and indeed, we consider you among us as weak. And if not for your family, we would have stoned you [to death]; and you are not to us one respected."

18:20

Indeed, if they come to know of you, they will stone you or return you to their religion. And never would you succeed, then - ever."

19:46

[His father] said, "Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me a prolonged time."

26:116

They said, "If you do not desist, O Noah, you will surely be of those who are stoned."

36;18

They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment."

                                                                            صدق الله العلي العظيم

   As it is obvious "stoning" is mentioned in these verses only as a threat or as a potential punishment by the infidels offered to the prophets thereby forcing them to stop inviting people to God.  There is absolutely no verse  in Quran where God has set "stoning" as a punishment for any sin or any crime. 

   The question that follows naturally is what then "stoning" is based on as a sentence in those societies.  I believe the only imaginable sources it can be associated with is Hadith and Sunnah. While I have no knowledge of any of these two respectable sources, it is only reasonable to assume that if "stoning" is based on a hadith it is either not a true one or even more reasonably we can say it does not matter which source it comes from.  It is inhuman, immoral and not acceptable to anyone in the right mind.  It is very hard to believe that the religion which has stopped the tradition of burying infant-girls alive would legitimize such punishments.    

   I believe in many of such cases where personal emotional reactions have become a norm, a tradition, it appears that the followers of the religion tend to run over God's commandments thinking that the harsher they react the better God would like their action while in truth it is only to fulfil their personal interests and desires.   Everyday examples include reaction of people from different religions toward anything they gather as an insult to their sacred book, prophet or places. 

     That said, we have to trace religious fanaticism and extremism, generally speaking, in cultures and in individual circumstances rather than blaming it on Quran.