Study of Criminalization of "Efsad fil Arz" (corruption on the Earth) in the Law System of Iran

The "Efsad fil Arz" (corruption on the Earth) is a term which introduced into low system of Iran after Islamic revolution. Since there has not been a definition of the term in the jurisprudence resources, the legislator also has not provided a definition. Therefore, the state of formulation of the law, indicates sever ambiguity in the nature of the term "Efsad fil Arz" and its relation to "Moharebeh" (enmity with God). However, in article 284 of Islamic Penal Code ratified in 2011, the crime is considered as different from "Moharebeh" and distinct punishments introduced for. It seems that broad and irrelevant definition for the crime resulted in disagreements of jurists and judges and inappropriate interpretations also. This paper endeavors to study the aforementioned theory.