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Year 11 - Religious education

Muslim teachings about forgiveness:

Crime and punishment

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will study ideas of crime and how different Muslims may view crime is caused. From that, they will examine different ideas of punishing crime and treating criminals looking at examples of Muslim work in prisons and attitudes to reconciliation.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain Muslim beliefs about forgiveness and how they are shown through repentance and restorative justice.

Key Notes

  • Forgiveness involves releasing feelings of blame or resentment towards those who have caused harm.
  • Some say forgiveness avoids responsibility; others see it as key to healing.
  • Forgiveness is a key Islamic principle, taught in both the Qur'an and Hadith, and closely connected to Allah's mercy.
  • Muslim prison chaplains guide offenders in reflecting on their actions and give spiritual support.
  • Islam supports restorative justice, when victims and offenders communicate, as it helps offenders take responsibility.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • forgiveness: to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer
  • repentance: the act of recognising that something you have done is wrong and choosing to turn away from it
  • restorative justice: an approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing through dialogue and understanding

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Forgiveness in Islam means the offender is not punished.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Forgiveness involves releasing feelings of blame or resentment towards those who have caused harm. Some say forgiveness avoids responsibility; others see it as key to healing.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'forgiveness'

to grant pardon for a wrongdoing; to give up resentment and the desire to seek revenge against a wrongdoer.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Forgiveness in Islam means the offender is not punished. Correction: Islam allows for both justice and forgiveness. An offender may still face consequences, but forgiveness is encouraged when there is sincere taubah and efforts to make amends.

More Lessons In This Unit

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