Law 213: Islamic Criminal Justice System delves deep into the heart of the Islamic legal framework, exploring the principles, practices, and evolution of criminal justice within an Islamic context. This comprehensive course offers a thorough examination of the Sharia-based criminal justice system, contrasting its foundations with contemporary legal systems worldwide. Students will explore the Quranic injunctions, Hadith, and classical fiqh literature that form the bedrock of Islamic penal law, including the Hudud (fixed punishments), Qisas (retribution), and Diya (blood money). Through a critical lens, this course also addresses the challenges and critiques faced by the Islamic criminal justice system in modern times, including human rights concerns, application variances across different Muslim-majority countries, and the potential for reform within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence.
This exploration is not merely academic but is aimed at fostering a nuanced understanding of the values of justice, mercy, and social welfare that underpin the Islamic criminal justice system. By examining case studies, contemporary debates, and reform initiatives, students will gain insights into the dynamic interplay between Islamic law and societal needs in addressing crime and punishment.
Overall Objectives for this Course:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Articulate the foundational principles and sources of the Islamic criminal justice system.
- Compare and contrast the Islamic criminal justice system with other global legal systems.
- Analyze the application and impact of Hudud, Qisas, and Diya in historical and contemporary contexts.
- Evaluate the human rights implications of Islamic penal law and its compatibility with international norms.
- Assess the diversity of interpretations and applications of criminal justice in various Muslim-majority countries.
- Explore contemporary debates and reform efforts within Islamic criminal justice.
- Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through the examination of case studies and legal texts.
- Propose informed perspectives on the challenges and future directions of Islamic criminal justice in a globalized world.
