Prevention of Crime in Islamic Legal System

With the expansion of criminality and insecurity, on the one hand, and failure of criminal system in prevention and controlling crimes, on the other, the importance of preventing crimes, along with the necessity of a careful planning, is becoming inevitable. Today, it is approved that the application of mere penal reaction does not guarantee security and peace in society, nor does it guarantee social and individual rights, nor is it a solution to criminology issue. In various criminal systems, not only the authorities consider penal reactions, which are usually done to control crimes after committing, but they also maintain criminogenic factors along with planning appropriate measures to identify and prevent or limit them before committing. Islamic legal system in its mission has maintained all criminogenic factors, and consequently offered solutions. Islam, while emphasizing the deepening of virtues and ethics, justice, equality, and brotherhood, has presented a particular model called ‘moral and religious capacitation’ in order to prevent abusing power by the rulers. This study intended to illustrate, clearly and concisely, dimensions and components of prevention of crimes in Islamic penal system, employing a qualitative (descriptive- analytic) method, which is prevalent in legal literature and researches. The study proceeds in a way that those who are interested in religious and legal issues will understand that prevention of crimes and social and individual harms is one of the main concerns of the Islamic system.