New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes towards justice

I can explain Islamic views on justice and compare different responses to them

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel B

Muslim attitudes towards justice

I can explain Islamic views on justice and compare different responses to them

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Justice means fairness, equal treatment and giving support to those who have been harmed.
  2. People's views on justice are shaped by religion, personal experience, upbringing and society.
  3. In Islam, justice is a command from Allah and must be applied fairly, without bias or emotion.
  4. The Qur’an teaches personal responsibility, mercy and that justice includes the chance to change.
  5. Restorative justice helps offenders take responsibility and can reflect Islamic values like repentance and forgiveness.

Keywords

  • Justice - what is right and fair

  • Mercy - compassion or forgiveness shown towards a person

  • Restorative justice - an approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing through dialogue and understanding

Common misconception

In Islam, justice is always focused on punishment.

Islam teaches justice must be fair and include mercy. Offenders who repent can be forgiven. It's about responsibility and change, not just punishment.


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

Use a range of case studies alongside Jacob Dunne, such as restorative justice in knife crime or youth offending, to show that outcomes vary.
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.
The holy book of Islam is the

Correct Answer: Qur’an, Quran, Koran

Q2.
What is the declaration of faith in Islam called?

Correct answer: Shahadah
Salah
Zakah

Q3.
Which pillar involves giving a set proportion of wealth to charity?

Salat
Correct answer: Zakah
Hajj

Q4.
Why did Muhammad and his followers leave Makkah and travel to Medina?

To escape a famine.
To find new trade partners.
Correct answer: To escape persecution for their beliefs.

Q5.
What do Muslims believe happens after death?

Correct answer: Their own deeds are judged by Allah.
They sleep forever.
Prophets appear.

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What is restorative justice?

A form of punishment using prison.
A way to avoid legal consequences.
Correct answer: A process that repairs harm through dialogue.

Q2.
Why is justice important in Islam?

Correct answer: because Allah commands fairness and responsibility
to make people fear Allah
so only victims feel better

Q3.
One of Allah’s names in Islam is al-ʿAdl, which means ‘the .’

Correct Answer: Just, just

Q4.
What does the Qur’an say about judging others?

only judge strangers, not family
Correct answer: judge fairly even if it is against yourself
punishment must come before mercy

Q5.
Justice in Islam is only about punishment.

True - Islamic justice always focuses on punishing.
False - Islamic justice ignores the victim’s feelings.
Correct answer: False - Islamic justice includes mercy and forgiveness

Additional material

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