Islam and the treatment of criminals
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different views on the treatment of criminals including Islamic ones.
Key learning points
- Islam teaches that offenders must be treated fairly and never tortured.
- Shariah law uses judges, but Muslims may accept jury trials if they are fair.
- The Qur’an and Hadith teach compassion, even towards prisoners.
- Islamic human rights agree with the UDHR on treating offenders with dignity.
- Muslims put this into practice, for example by visiting prisoners or opposing torture.
Keywords
Humane - showing kindness, care and sympathy towards others, respecting their dignity and aiming to reduce suffering
Justice - ensuring fairness by responding to crimes in a way that holds the offender properly accountable
Torture - when someone is deliberately caused extreme pain or suffering, either to punish them, scare them or force them to do or say something
Common misconception
All Muslim countries follow Islamic law exactly as it is in the Qur’an.
In reality, some Muslim-majority countries mix Islamic principles with national laws, and not all follow the Qur’an’s teachings fully, especially on justice and human rights.
Teacher tip
Use case studies that show a range of Muslim views on justice and punishment in different countries. This shows divergent interpretations and practices vary widely across the Muslim world.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best reflects the act of forgiveness?
Q2.Forgiveness is closely connected to Allah’s .
Q3.What is the main role of Muslim chaplains in prison?
Q4.What is restorative justice?
Q5.Islam encourages forgiving when there is sincere and effort to make amends.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Islam teaches that offenders should never be .
Q2.What legal method is traditionally used in Shariah law?
Q3.The Qur’an teaches Muslims to show to all, including prisoners.
Q4.How might Muslims show compassion to offenders?
Q5.Why might some laws in Muslim countries differ from Islamic principles?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Islam and the treatment of criminals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Islam and the treatment of criminals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.