7th Session: September 20th, 2025

Theme:

Islamic jurisprudence presents diverse perspectives on the death penalty. Some Shia scholars argue that capital punishment should be suspended in the absence of an Infallible Imam, while certain Sunni thinkers maintain that it contravenes the principle of Maslahah Mursalah (public interest). Yet, countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia continue to impose the death penalty for a range of offenses, including drug trafficking, ifsād fi’l-arḍ (corruption on earth), sedition, and murder. The use of capital punishment in these contexts raises serious concerns: the ambiguity of criminal categories, their susceptibility to political manipulation, and their questionable effectiveness as deterrents. Systemic issues, including lack of transparency, denial of due process, and weak enforcement of the rule of law, further shape how executions are carried out. This session examines Islamic jurisprudence’s perspectives on capital punishment and evaluates the prospects for abolition across different contexts. Particular attention will be given to Iran, where the Penal Code authorizes judges to impose capital punishment under Qisas (retribution) and Hudud (fixed punishments for crimes such as apostasy, murder, theft, and rebellion). By engaging these challenges, the discussion invites participants to reflect on how reform within Islamic legal traditions, coupled with broader advocacy, can open pathways toward a future without the death penalty.