The Theoretical Foundations of Restorative Justice

So far, there are several theories presented by criminologists to explain and justify the restorative justice, such as that of 'reintegrative shaming', 'social control theory', 'the neutralization theory of crime', and theory of 'abolitionism'. The present paper, while critically considering each of them, tries to explain nature and basis of the 'soul vivification' (ihyâyi nafs) doctrine which is regarded as the most important anthropological, sociological, and ethical foundation for restorative justice in Islam.