The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli
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 7:56)
Crime in its different forms – organised, street, state or social – is considered a major peace and security threat 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.
A summary of statistics about the spread of crime in the US in 2010 is as follows: one crime index offence takes place every three seconds; one violent crime every 27 seconds; one murder every 37 minutes; one rape every seven minutes; one robbery every one-and-a-half minutes; one burglary every 16 seconds; one larceny-theft every five seconds; one motor vehicle theft every 45 seconds; one arson every 10 minutes; one assault every 42 seconds. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports)
The above statistics are for 2010 and there doesn’t seem to be an accurate update available about the current situation, though it is likely that the numbers have since shot up.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the overwhelming majority of all these crimes have not been carried out by Muslims, nor have they been carried out in the name of Islam!
Statistical records from other Western countries paint a similarly grim picture.
Most methods used to fight crime have backfired and fall short of meeting the challenge. The failure of Western methods of combating crime – as highlighted by the continual rise in crime rates – leads one to suggest a solution, which treats criminal activity not piecemeal but in the total scheme of life.
The Islamic concept of 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.
Islamic teachings do not merely provide solutions to exceptional instances of criminal behaviour, but emphatically focuses on measures that halt their spread and existence.
In other words, Islam institutes and executes as many means as possible to avert temptation.
While modern societies flaunt temptation – liquor, gambling, pornography, violence and so forth – 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.
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.
Even in cases where effective measures of control and laws are put in place, these are rather selectively applied in order to push some hidden agenda or the other.
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 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 converting to Islam, many were serial killers, drug smugglers, addicts and professional criminals. When they embraced Islam while in prison, they turned into dignified, secure and contributing citizens.
Western statistical indices show that in the case of the majority of maximum-security prisons, when released from prison, the criminals get involved in criminal acts again (re-offend) and end up back in prison.
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 correctional 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 in this short article, 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
PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected].
