An Analytical-critical Study of Most Jurist's Viewpoints Regarding the Criteria of Iqab in Sodomy Crime

Sodomy is one of the hadd crimes, which in Islamic criminal law, its realization (occurrence) and, accordingly, the proof of punishment for it, depend on several conditions. One of the most important conditions in the realization of this crime is the realization of Iqab (anal intercourse) as a material element of the crime. Most jurists have considered the total amount of foreskin to be the criterion in the realization of sodomy crime, and if it is less than this amount, the hadd of sodomy is ruled out and the crime is put forward under the title of tafkhiz (rubbing penis between thighs). In other words, based on most jurists’ view, the way of punishment can be considered as a changing factor of the crime and, accordingly, a changing factor of the punishment. However, another group of jurists have considered the criteria in the crime of sodomy to be absolute, regardless of the condition of the occultation of foreskin and with the assumption of realization of Iqab, regardless of how it occurs, in any case, they consider the crime of sodomy and, accordingly, the hadd of sodomy to be proven. Due to the necessity of explaining the problem in detail and considering the existing research gap related to it, the present study has examined this matter in a descriptive-analytical method. The result shows that absolute Iqab is the criterion for the realization of the crime of sodomy - regardless of the amount of penetration of the foreskin. In other words, with the occurrence of Iqab, even if the amount of foreskin is not penetrated, it will be considered as sodomy crime, and the realization of crime of tafkhiz will not be true.