Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Hossein Farzaneh

Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Legal Foundations, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

This paper examines the legal and jurisprudential status of the Mumsik (the individual who restrains the victim) and the Nadhir (the observer) in cases of premeditated murder under Islamic criminal law. Although these individuals do not directly commit the act of murder, they play significant roles in either facilitating or witnessing the crime. Their potential criminal liability and corresponding punishment are analyzed within both Islamic jurisprudence and Iranian criminal law frameworks.
Introduction
The study explores the extent of culpability for individuals who, while not the principal perpetrators, are complicit in intentional murder. Specifically, it considers the roles of the Mumsik and Nadhir, examining how their involvement is interpreted in traditional Islamic law and how it is addressed in modern Iranian criminal legislation.
Legal Theories and Punishments
In Islamic jurisprudence, the Mumsik has traditionally been subject to life imprisonment, while the Nadhir may face the severe penalty of blinding. The paper evaluates these punishments through three key jurisprudential lenses: the doctrine of Hadd (fixed punishments that are divinely mandated and not subject to alteration), Ta'zir (discretionary punishments determined by the judge based on case-specific circumstances), and Qisas (retributive justice, where punishment mirrors the crime committed).
Islamic Jurisprudence and Iranian Law
The study engages with both Shiite and Sunni interpretations concerning the roles of Mumsik and Nadhir, offering a comparative view of how these figures are treated under Islamic law. In Iranian criminal law, although these specific roles are not explicitly codified, their actions are addressed under the broader doctrine of complicity. Iranian law adopts a more discretionary approach, allowing judges to tailor punishment according to individual circumstances. This flexibility is argued to be more in line with contemporary understandings of justice.
A Justice-Centered Critique
The paper challenges traditional juristic views that call for fixed and severe punishments for Mumsik and Nadhir. It argues that criminal justice must be grounded in principles such as proportionality and the individualization of punishment. Discretionary sentencing under Ta'zir is presented as more consistent with these principles, enabling a more equitable judicial process that considers the intent and level of involvement of each party.
The Principle of Proportionality and Human Rights
Proportionality remains a cornerstone of both Islamic legal theory and modern human rights discourse. The research underscores that the imposition of Hadd punishments—such as life imprisonment or corporal punishments like blinding—on secondary participants in a crime may violate contemporary standards of human dignity and could be considered inhumane. The paper advocates for a reinterpretation of these punitive measures in light of evolving legal and ethical norms.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the punishment for the Mumsik and Nadhir should fall under the category of Ta'zir, which allows for judicial discretion and ensures alignment with principles of proportionality, individual justice, and human rights. This approach supports a more humane and context-sensitive application of criminal law in cases of intentional murder involving secondary participants.

Keywords

• Mumsik
• Nadhir
• Criminal Justice
• Justice
• Premeditated Murder

Main Subjects

• Islamic jurisprudence