Islam and the death penalty
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different Muslim and non-religious views on the death penalty.
Key learning points
- The death penalty is legal execution for serious crimes, varying globally.
- Non-religious views are varied, and ethical theories can be used to support or oppose the death penalty.
- In Islam, the death penalty is rarely applied due to strict conditions and should be avoided if there's any doubt.
- The Qur'an allows the death penalty (qisas) for murder but strongly encourages forgiveness and alternatives.
- Some Muslims are against the death penalty, encouraging forgiveness and alternatives based on Islamic principles.
Keywords
Death penalty - capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state
Deterrence - aim of punishment; the threat of punishment as a way to put a person off committing crime (e.g. knowing they could go to prison if they steal)
Justice - fairness; working to fix an unfair situation
Common misconception
The death penalty is widely used in Islam.
While Islamic law does permit the death penalty for certain very serious offences, its application is extremely limited and rare due to strict conditions and a strong emphasis on mercy and forgiveness.
Teacher tip
Use real case studies and short video clips (e.g. documentaries or interviews with exonerees or victims’ families) to bring the ethical arguments to life.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is forgiveness?
Q2.Some believe forgiveness avoids justice, but others see it as essential to .
Q3.Where is forgiveness taught in Islamic tradition?
Q4.Muslim prison chaplains help inmates by giving spiritual and guidance.
Q5.How does Islam view restorative justice?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the death penalty?
Q2.Non-religious thinkers often use ethical to assess the morality of the death penalty.
Q3.What is emphasised alongside justice in Islam?
Q4.The Qur'an encourages and compensation rather than insisting on the death penalty.
Q5.Which statement best describes Islamic law on the death penalty?
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Islam and the death penalty, 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 death penalty, 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 Issues of Good and Evil unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.