WHAT IS THE RELIGIOUS PUNISHMENT FOR A PEDOPHILE?

In 2015, at the IX session of the Council of Scholars of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan held in Almaty, a fatwa was issued regarding one of the serious problems in society—pedophilia. While some consider pedophilia to be a congenital disease, a psychological disorder, or one of many sexual deviations, the majority view it as depravity.

The fatwa of the SAMK states: "Islam commands people to be compassionate and merciful. Kindness holds a special place in Kazakh culture and traditions, becoming an inseparable part of them. Allah the Almighty strictly forbids crimes and immorality that disturb the peace of society.

Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an: 'And do not cause corruption on the earth after it has been set in order' (Surah Al-A'raf, 56), and 'Allah does not love corrupters' (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 64).

In our society today, those who prey on underage children and force them into sexual acts—i.e., pedophiles—fall under the definitions of corruption and immorality described in these verses.

The famous Tabi'i Mujahid, known for his commentaries on the Qur'an, explained the phrase 'those who cause corruption on earth' as: 'Corruption means committing adultery, theft, murder, and destroying offspring and cultivated land.'

This heinous crime has the following consequences:

Because this act is forced upon the child and is terrifying, it seriously hinders the child's proper development. It may expose the child to lifelong sexual diseases. It affects the child's psyche, possibly causing incurable psychological trauma. It brings great harm to the family's reputation and honor. It undermines the future of the next generation.

If the perpetrator of such a crime also kills the victim, the punishment becomes even more severe. Therefore, since pedophilia is contrary to human nature and is a grave crime, its punishment is also very severe. Muslim scholars have issued rulings of severe punishment (including death, etc.) for such criminals. However, since our country is a secular, legal state, the punishments for pedophilia are determined not by Sharia, but by the criminal code. According to the law that came into force this year, pedophiles are sentenced to life imprisonment.

Hasan AMANKUL,

Deputy Head of the Department of Sharia and Fatwa,

"Munara" newspaper, No.1, 2020