Book review: Rights of Prisoner in Islam

By: Na’ema Hussein

Islam, in general, considers imprisonment as a case of last resort in many circumstances; however, the Islamic teachings say that there are only a few offences that would lead to imprisonment, for the value that is attached to freedom of the individual. Under non-Islamic system, of course the offender should be reprimanded, but any chastisement prescribed by Islamic teachings may only be implemented if all the criteria and the preconditions prescribed are also met.

In this book the author discussed such issues as the fundamental nature of freedom, the rights of prisoner, and the harmful effects of imprisonment on the individual concerned as well as those on society, and the kind of offences that would lead to imprisonment under an Islamic system.

The writer also quotes a few cases to demonstrate the attitude the Islamic ruler should take towards offence, to try to find reasons to waive the punishments in any particular case. The author then addresses the issue of torture in general, and mental and physical ill treatment that is carried out under the guise of interrogation and extracting confession from a detainee or a suspect.

This brief work presents the teachings of Islam with respect to the rights of those when imprisoned, and shows that the teachings of Islam are designed, by the designer and maker of mankind, for the benefit of mankind wherever he may be.

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