Crime Analysis From the Viewpoint of the Noble Qur’ān

Penal law can be likened to a triangular shape, with one of the main angles being crime or criminal phenomenon. Knowing the nature and concept of crime is highly important. In the penal system of Islam, one of the disputed topics is the concept and nature of crime. Some take it as the religiously prohibited matters that have been clarified by God through setting general or discretionary punishments. The religiously prohibited matter involves perpetrating a prohibited action or lack of action for a matter the person should have done. On the other hand, the most important source of religious legislation is the noble Qur’ān. How is crime defined and clarified in this important resource? The primary question of this study is “What behavior does the noble Qur’ān call a crime and what is the nature of a crime in the noble Qur’ān?” Using a descriptive-analytical approach and relying on the Qur’ān and interpretive narrations, this study addresses the concept and nature of crime in its legal meaning.  It seems that crime in the noble Qur’ān language means doing a behavior that has been banned by the divine legislator and has been given a punishment if committed. In other words, crime means opposition to the orders and prohibitions of the divine legislator that generally have a social aspect. Finally, from the viewpoint of the noble Qur’ān, the nature of a sin – especially when its meaning is close to the legal meaning of crime, one that leads to a punishment – is real and has been determined by the divine legislator based on the occurred interests and corruptions.