The Scope of Intercession in Different Types of Punishments

Intercession, terminologically, means a third party’s mediation in favor of the sinner to be forgiven and is some attempt to ignore the person’s sin and avoid his punishment. Intercession in penal affairs is one of the topics discussed in the Islamic jurisprudence which permissibility and scope in different types of punishments are controversial. Given the decriminalization policy and the existence of this establishment in Islam, studying its scope relying on the jurisprudential sources of Islam i.e. the Holy Quran, Sunna, Idjma (consensus) and intellect is of high significance. In this research, through a library method, after an examination of the verses and hadiths concerning intercession, the authors have determined the scope of intercession in different types of punishments on the basis of dividing crimes into crimes against Allah’s right and crimes against individuals' rights and concluded that there is no prohibition on intercession before the right owner in crimes against individuals' rights. Intercession in crimes against Allah’s right is not permitted. However, in Taaziri crimes which determination is left to the religious judge’s discretion, it depends on the latter to accept or refuse intercession taking into account its interests and evils and the requirements of time and place.