The Power of Justice: How Islam combats crime with divine law
In Islam, security and stability are recognised as fundamental human needs, akin to the basic necessities of food and clothing. Without these, individuals can not thrive or contribute to societal advancement. Since the dawn of human civilization, the need for security has been acknowledged, and over centuries, man-made laws have evolved to ensure stability.
However, Islamic law—revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—was divinely established to ensure the welfare of all mankind, offering a perfect system of justice that considers both societal changes and the constant nature of humanity.
The Quran clearly emphasizes the significance of justice as a cornerstone of Islamic law. God states:
_”We have sent Our Messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance so that people may stand forth in justice.”_
(Quran 57:25)
Islamic law stands out for its balanced approach to crime and punishment. It is designed to create a righteous society where individuals can live in peace, justice, and security, fulfilling their spiritual and material needs. This legal framework is aimed at preserving five universal principles essential for human welfare: life, religion, reason, lineage, and property.
These universal principles are reflected in several Quranic verses:
1. The preservation of life:
_”And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.”_
(Quran 17:33)
2. The preservation of religion:
_”There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.”_
(Quran 2:256)
3. The preservation of reason:
_”O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.”_
(Quran 5:90)
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4. The preservation of lineage:
_”And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”_
(Quran 17:32)
5. The preservation of property:
_”As for the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah.”_
(Quran 5:38)
Islam’s approach to combating crime is rooted in the concept of justice and mercy, as emphasized throughout the Quran. The ultimate objective is to maintain a society where justice prevails, ensuring that punishment serves not only as a deterrent but also as a means to rehabilitate individuals. This balanced approach is evident in the Quran:
_”Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.”_
(Quran 4:58)
Furthermore, the Quran reminds us of God’s mercy and ease:
_”Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”_
(Quran 2:185)
This legal system is not rigid, as it also considers the circumstances and needs of the society it governs. God says:
_”God wants to make things clear for you and guide you to the ways of those before you and to forgive you. God is the All-Knowing, the Wise.”_
(Quran 4:26)
Islamic law, therefore, offers a comprehensive and divinely guided system of justice that addresses all aspects of human society, ensuring that balance, fairness, and mercy prevail.
