Islamic Shariah is the code of conduct followed by Muslim and its origin in two main sources: the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet. Its objective is to welfare of humanity in both this life and in the afterlife. For removing vice from society and establishing good towards mankind, Islamic Shariah prescribes a complete code of laws. Hudud is one among Islamic criminal law. This word means the limit or boundary. According Islamic Shariah, Hudud is limited to punishments for crimes mentioned by the Holy Quran orthe Sunnah of the prophet (Prophetic Tradition). The punishment prescribed under Hudud, could not be varied, increased and decreased. The Judge had no discretion in the matter. The wisdom behind ordaining the prescribed punishments is that they are means of deterrence, restraint and purification from sins. They are ordained to fulfill the Rights of Allah and then for the benefit of the Muslim community. Allah has made these punishments upon those who commit crimes stemming from weakness in human nature. Thus, such prescribed punishments are in the best interest of humankind in this world as well as in Hereafter. This article discusses on the Hudud crimes and their prescribed punishments separately.
Keywords: Al-Qur`an, Islamic Shariah, Hudud, Punishment, Criminal law.
28-Feb-2025
