Muslim Beliefs about Peace and Conflict » Crime and Its Causes: Muslim Chaplains and Mosaic

Sin and crime for Muslims

Sin and Crime: What Is the Difference? explained that a sin is an act against the will of God, while a crime is breaking the law of the land. This lesson asks how Muslims respond to crime and its causes.

For Muslims, a sin is disobeying Allah. A crime is breaking the law of the country. Some acts are both. Murder and theft are forbidden by Allah and are also crimes in nearly every country, so a Muslim who commits them has broken both kinds of rule. Other acts may be sins but not crimes, such as lying to a friend. Others may be crimes but not sins, such as breaking a minor parking rule. Muslims are also taught to obey the law of the country where they live, so a crime matters to them even where it is not a sin. Sin, Unbelief and Shirk in Islam covers sin in more depth.

Key terms:

• Zakah (recap from Sin, Unbelief and Shirk in Islam): the Muslim duty to give a set share of savings each year to help people in need. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
• Chaplain: a religious person who supports people in a place such as a prison or hospital, whatever their needs.
• Mentor: someone who gives guidance and encouragement to a younger or less experienced person.

The nature and problem of crime

Crime harms victims, who may lose property, safety or peace of mind. It harms offenders and their families, and it makes communities less safe. Muslims believe that a good society is just and caring, so a society with a lot of crime is seen as a problem for everyone. Muslims therefore look at why crime happens as well as how it is punished. (Punishment is covered in Muslim Attitudes to Punishment and Its Aims.)

Why crime might occur

The spec names six reasons. Sin and Crime: What Is the Difference? met some of them. Here is how they are seen in a Muslim context.

Many Muslims would say these causes are linked. A young person in poverty, with little support and low self-esteem, may be more at risk. Some Muslims also say that turning away from Allah's guidance leaves a person more likely to give in to temptation. Different Muslims give different weight to personal responsibility and to social causes.

What Muslim individuals do

• Zakah against poverty. Giving zakah is a duty. It moves money to those in need, which Muslims see as a way to reduce the poverty that can lead to crime. Muslims may also give extra, voluntary charity.
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol. Qur'an 5:90 warns believers against intoxicants (drinks or drugs that cloud the mind, such as alcohol). Many Muslims understand this to ban alcohol and harmful drugs, so a Muslim who follows it avoids a cause of addiction and of crimes committed under the influence.
• Good parenting. Muslim parents teach children the faith and good manners, and try to set a good example, which tackles bad upbringing.
• Mosque youth work. Many mosques run youth clubs, sports, classes and trips. These give young people something positive to do and people who care about them, and help build self-esteem.
• Equal treatment. Muslims who believe all people are equal before Allah speak out against racism and unfairness.

What Muslim groups do

Both aim at causes of crime named above: Mosaic tackles low self-esteem and lack of guidance, and chaplains help offenders to change.

Exam-style question

Paper 1 style. Choose one religion and answer for Islam.

(a) Identify three reasons why crime might occur. [3 marks, AO1]

(b) Choose one religion. Outline two actions taken by individuals or groups in this religion to end the causes of crime. [4 marks, AO1]

(c) Choose one religion. Explain why Muslims try to end the causes of crime. [6 marks, AO1, AO2]

(d) "Tackling the causes of crime is more important than punishing criminals." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks, AO1, AO2]