New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes towards crime

I can describe types and causes of crime, explain the role of intention, and explain Muslim teachings about crime and its causes.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes towards crime

I can describe types and causes of crime, explain the role of intention, and explain Muslim teachings about crime and its causes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Different types of crime have various causes, including social conditions, personal choices and mental health.
  2. Islamic responses are guided by scripture, legal tradition and moral reasoning with justice and intention being central.
  3. How responsible someone is for a crime depends on their reasons and awareness at the time.
  4. Muslims are taught to follow the law, but standing up against unfair treatment is also an important value.
  5. Some arguments focus on the wider effects of hate crimes, while others stress the seriousness of taking a life.

Keywords

  • Cause - something that makes something else happen or explains why it happens

  • Crime - an illegal act which can be punished

  • Intention - a plan or aim in a person’s mind about what they want to do

Common misconception

Islam teaches that all crimes are equally wrong.

Islam teaches that crimes should be judged fairly, based on harm, intention and context. Serious crimes like murder are treated more severely, while causes like poverty or illness may affect how a crime is viewed.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Muslim attitudes towards crime, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use case studies to show how intention changes the type of crime and how it is judged.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Justice means fairness, treatment, and helping people who have been harmed.

Correct Answer: equal, Equal

Q2.
People’s views on justice are shaped by religion, personal experience, upbringing, and .

Correct Answer: society, Society

Q3.
How should justice be applied in Islam?

based on wealth and power
only if the person is a friend
Correct answer: fairly, without bias or emotion

Q4.
The Qur’an teaches justice, mercy, and the chance to .

Correct Answer: change, Change

Q5.
Why might some Muslims support restorative justice?

It avoids responsibility.
Correct answer: It aligns with the Prophet’s teaching on mercy.
It makes offenders rich.

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Match each keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:cause,something that makes something else happen or explains why it happens

something that makes something else happen or explains why it happens

Correct Answer:crime,an illegal act which can be punished

an illegal act which can be punished

Correct Answer:intention,a plan or aim in a person’s mind about what they want to do

a plan or aim in a person’s mind about what they want to do

Q2.
Which of the following is a possible cause of crime?

expensive clothing
good education
Correct answer: mental health problems

Q3.
Muslims are taught to follow the law, but also to speak out against treatment.

Correct Answer: unfair, Unfair

Q4.
Which of the following is part of the Islamic legal tradition?

The UN Charter
Correct answer: Shari’ah law
Roman law

Q5.
Islam teaches that crimes should be judged based on harm, intention, and .

Correct Answer: context, context

Additional material

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