Prison; Conception, Status and Norms in Islamic Jurisprudence

Abstract

Nations, regardless of creed and religion dream for civilized citizens. Keeping up ethical standards has always been a keen wish of civilized societies. Measures leading to reforms stand necessary for maintaining such standards. Society being a collection of inhabitants caters in it people with different minds and attitudes. Criminals sent to a prison are equally responsible in formation of a calm and cool society. Such people, after getting freed rejoin society. Reforms and standardized brought up of such people becomes more important at this point. This Scenario encompasses the legal aspects of prison in connection to Islamic Jurisprudence and how it differs in letter and spirit from conventional outlook. Deductive method of research is adopted in this article. Prison, its need, types and behavior all been discussed in pure Islamic perspective. The study concludes that imprisonment falls under discretionary punishments at judge‟s own disposal but one should not take it mere punishment. Reformative approach leading towards ethical betterment of captives is a significant feature of such punishments in Islam and that is the theme of this article.