The Islamic Approach to Combating Crime

Self and monetary security carries no less importance than basic need of food and clothing. A person is to needs to have the satisfaction of financial and personal security while living in a society. Ever since civilizations have started to form in this world, there is good and bad in society. Like every other religion, Islam has come up with its own legal system to fight the evils that prevail in culture and society.

The ultimatum of Islamic legal injunction is to protect the rights of Muslims and bring welfare in world. The holy prophet (may Allah’s mercy be on him) has showed us the practical implementation of Islamic rules by setting a righteous society back in his time in Madina. Allah Almighty has set fixed punishments for some common crimes which include following:

Adultery:

“The adulterer and the adulteress, scourge ye each one of them (with) a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain withhold you from obedience to Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of believers witness their punishment.”

For making war against Allah and his Messenger:

“The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger … will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom.”

Lewdness:

“As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, call to witness four of you against them. And if they testify (to the truth of the allegation) then confine them to the houses until death take them.”

Stealing:

“As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah.”

The purpose of Islamic laws is save society from growing dangers and harms of crime and evil. It is an understood thing that if crime is not stopped immediately, it will set it roots deep inside the society eventually and will be hard to be uprooted later. Islam, by its strict restrictions and severe punishments, has made stability and security widespread so individuals live their life without the fear of theft, murder, stealing and others. The purpose has been articulated by the following verse that discusses retribution and its effects on society:

“There is (preservation of) life for you in retribution, O people of understanding, that you may become pious.” (Quran 2:179)