The ManicaPost
ALLAH Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan “And do not engage in crime (causing corruption) in the land after it had been set in order”. (Chapter 7 : verse 56).Crime in its different forms — organised crime, street crime, State crime, social crime — is considered as a major threat to peace and security in every society. A detailed discussion of the magnitude of the problem of crime as a universal catastrophe is beyond the scope of a short article such as this one. Hence, we present a brief overview of the Islamic viewpoint on the matter.
Factual records and statistics
A summary of statistics about the spread of crimes in the US during the year 2010, based on US Government references, is as follows: one crime index offence takes place every 3 seconds; one violent crime every 27 seconds; one murder every 37 minutes; one rape every 7 minutes; one robbery every one and a half minutes; one burglary every 16 seconds; one larceny-theft every 5 seconds; one motor vehicle theft
every 45 seconds; one act of arson every 10 minutes; one assault every 42 seconds; etc . . . (Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports.)
Statistical records from other countries (where available) paint a very much similar, grim picture and as these statistics show, crime in all its different forms has become a major threat to societal and individual security. Nevertheless, most of the methods used in the fight against crime have backfired and actually fall short of meeting such a challenge. The failure of the man-made methods of combating crime – as highlighted by the continual rise of crime rates – leads one to suggest a solution, which treats criminal activity not piecemeal but in the total scheme of life.
The Islamic outlook
The Islamic concept of peace and security is a very comprehensive one, more comprehensive than any of the other existing systems. It looks at humankind in relation to the universe and the factors influencing it. It encompasses physical, mental, psychological and spiritual domains as integral parts of an overall societal security system. In other words, Islam institutes and executes as many means as possible to avert temptation. While modern societies flaunt temptation – liquor, gambling, pornography, violence, etc. – before the people, a true Islamic society removes the sources of these temptations, and when the need for correction emerges, the punishment is serious and effective.
Modern day approach
Crime has prospered in modern society because a completely contradictory approach is followed to controlling it. All forms of temptation are prevalent and easily accessible – in fact maybe even promoted in the name of various “rights” – and when the time comes for correction or punishment of a crime, it is done leniently and without seriousness. Sentencing is often biased and protective of the criminal’s “rights” over those of the victim or the community at large.
Islamic concept of responsibility
Through the various practical forms of worship like Salaah (the five daily prayers), fasting and Zakaah (obligatory charity), Islamic teachings aim at implanting feelings of inner peace and security, responsibility towards others and mutual respect. In a video film by the Christian Science Monitor about Islam in America, a large portion was devoted to describing the lives of maximum-security prison inmates before and after becoming Muslims. Before reverting to Islam, many were serial killers, drug smugglers, addicts and professional criminals. Such statistics are reversed when those inmates become Muslims. The success of Islam in providing the best solution to crimes in the midst of the Western society, where all types of correction programmes have failed, is strong contemporary evidence for the universality of Islam and the pressing need for adopting its teachings.
Note: The statistical data highlighted is referring to Western societies due to the availability of documentation on the matter. Indeed it is a known fact that crime is prevalent in all countries and societies – developed, developing and under-developed, Eastern and Western alike. The main thrust of our topic is that the Islamic approach to tackle crime related issues provides a holistic solution which is more fruitful than man-made solutions.
◆ For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department,
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
