CRime and punishment

• God commands justice, doing good, and generosity towards relatives and He forbids what is shameful, blameworthy and oppressive…..do not break oaths after you have sworn them…on the Day of the Resurrection He will make clear to you those things you differed about.: 'Surah 16:90-92'
• This suggests

  • Allah expects fairness, you can only do good if you act justly, honouring promises is important and Muslims will be judged on their actions when they come to the afterlife
• Muslims are working to reduce crime as more Muslims are being sent to prison in the UK so it is clearly a problem. Some think this is linked to poverty and so Muslims are working to reduce this through the giving of Zakah and supporting charities such as Muslim Aid.
• Muslim Chaplain's Association (MCA)


  Group that aims to support, assist and rehabilitate offenders. They work with the prison service and lead worship and offer pastoral care. They try to help with resettling offenders and try to stop them reoffending.
• Mosaic


  Charity which works with ex-offenders to try and stop them reoffending. It was set up in response to the increasing numbers of Muslim offenders in UK prisons. It provides help to 18-35 year old offenders e.g. help with housing, employment and other practical assistance.
• The reoffending rate of those Muslim prisoners supported by Mosaic is twenty percent lower than the national average.
• Justice is important to Muslims especially in the distribution of wealth.
• Charging interest on loans (usury)

  Forbidden as this would be exploiting those who need financial help
• Zakah


  The 3rd pillar of Islam - giving a percentage of your wealth to the poor. The giving of Zakah should ensure that society is just and the poor cared for.
• Non-religious people's beliefs about justice

  • Humanists and atheists believe justice is important for all human beings to flourish
  • All humans deserve freedom and respect
  • Justice requires freedom and freedom requires responsibility
  • Humans need to be free to act as they want but without harming others
  • When harm is caused then justice must be served
  • Laws are important to help society function and protect the weak from the strong
• Muslims believe all humans are born with a sense of justice that the prophets have stood up for.
• Muslims would agree that justice is not just a religious idea as justice is part of Islamic teaching and is a key belief for Shia Muslims.
• Although leaders and governments have promoted justice they have not always been good examples. Prophet Muhammed was an excellent example.
• Justice


  Doing what is right and fair based on the law. Laws should be just otherwise people might break them, ignore them, protest about them or cause unrest in society.
• Justice is important in Islam because one of the names of Allah is Al' Adl (The Just). As a part of their role as vicegerents of God's creation, Muslims should try and be fair and oppose injustice.
• Uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents or close relatives.: 'Surah 4:135'
• Prophet Muhammed was committed to justice and taught people to give evidence in all cases even against their own family.
• Muslims believe justice is important for victims. Those who do wrong must face appropriate consequences or the victims will not have peace and may distrust the system.
• Crime


  An illegal act punishable by law
• Types of crime in Islam

  • Huhud - crimes against God with a fixed punishment
  • Qisas - crimes against individuals where victim's relatives can choose punishment
  • Ta'zir - crimes which the Qur'an or Hadith do not state punishment for and a qadi or judge in Muslim law can decide punishment
• Causes of Crime


  • Poverty
  • Drugs
  • Upbringing
  • Labelling
  • Lack of opportunity
  • Low self-esteem
• Muslims believe crime is a distraction from Allah and they are encouraged to show allegiance to their country and their faith.
• They are taught to stay away from anything which might distract them from Allah and which might lead to crime e.g. alcohol and gambling.
• Islam teaches that all humans were made equal by Allah and deserve to be treated fairly and not hurt by others.
• The ummah (brotherhood) is important and there is a duty to look after and help others, especially those involved in crime or affected by crime.
• It is important to follow the example of Muhammad who taught the importance of living a good life and not committing crimes.
• In order for the law to work properly, those who break the law should be punished.
• Reasons why punishment is needed in society

  • Maintain law and order
  • Set expected behaviour for society
  • Give a chance for offenders to mend their ways
  • Make victims safe
  • Give a chance for offenders to reflect on the impact of their crime on others
• Muslims believe punishment is justice – this enables the victim to gain retribution.
• Some Muslims believe principles of Situation Ethics should be applied and the punishment should fit the crime and circumstances of the people involved. For example, the crime might have been carried out because of poverty and this should be taken into account.
• Moral evil


  Evil caused by humans misusing their free will e.g. murder
• Natural evil


  Suffering not caused by humans e.g. floods
• Different Muslim responses to why people suffer

  • Some Muslims believe that suffering is due to Allah but He is so much greater than humans we cannot understand the reasons and must just accept it
  • Others believe that suffering is caused by humans who choose to move away from Allah
  • Life is a period of testing and temptation and faithful Muslims will be rewarded
  • Muslims say that there is meaning in the universe and that humans should worship and serve God
  • God cannot be blamed for evil caused by humans
  • Suffering can teach resilience and allow humans to demonstrate their ability to do good
  • Islam teaches people to help others who are suffering
  • All humans are born with a fitrah (nature) that is pure and can act in helpful or harmful ways
  • All humans can use their free will and have the potential to sin or do good
  • Things in themselves are not good or bad it is how they are used e.g. a knife
  • The Qur'an makes it clear that humans don't always know what is good and evil and sometimes like something that is bad for them and vice versa
• Good actions are halal and will be rewarded in paradise. Examples include helping and caring and leading a good life. Muslims believe that Allah is always watching them and they will be judged on their actions after death.
• God will give them radiance and gladness, and reward them, for their steadfastness, with a Garden and silk robes.: 'Surah 76'
• Bad actions are haram and will be punished by God at the final judgement. Examples include carrying out evil acts such as committing crimes.
• but the wrongdoers – He has prepared for them a painful punishment.: 'Surah 76:30-31'
• Surah 76 describes humans as being created from, 'a single drop of mingled fluid.' They were given reason and understanding so that they can follow the right path. If they don't make proper choices then an unpleasant afterlife awaits them.
• Many non-religious people do not believe a good God would have designed a world with natural evil. Why would a good God have designed diseases like cancer? They also believe that we have no control over some evils like natural disasters.
• They argue suffering is caused by bad choices and bad luck. There is no meaning to the universe and suffering is not caused by God. Humans make their own choices and should take responsibility for their actions.