“Crime is a social construction, something that was a crime 50 years ago isn’t necessarily a crime now…it’s about people’s sense of morality at any given time.”
In a university social work course on law and social justice, the Professor discusses the concept of “What is a crime?”
The current Western criminal justice system highlights the wisdom of the Islamic justice system. It doesn’t wax and wane based on society’s ever changing ideas on what is “moral” or “immoral”, rather it is firmly rooted on established principles from Allah (swt) and the Sunnah of Rasul (saw). Society changes, human beings change, and viewpoints change which leads to a confusing, precarious system to classify what is right or wrong at any given time. However, Islam has remained constant for 1400 years, and what better justice system than one based on the knowledge of the Creator of the universe?
“O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do (Holy Quran).”
[Surah An-Nisa: 135]
What does it boil down to? Iman in Allah (swt) means… knowing that no Law or Act can ever compare to the perfect justice guaranteed by our Creator.
What better system than one ordained by Al-‘Adl (The Just)?
