Re: Does Islam allow punishment based on self confession ?
Peace Mirch
I have a friend who is an Imam and he did a dissertation on the Islamic Penal System. In Islam there is sentence but not punishment, except that it comes from God. A sentence can be given even if the responsible party has confessed or even if the perpetrator has been forgiven by the victim. This is designed for the damage to society that the crime had done. So a person may be repentant but the sentence will still be dealt.
I can’t believe i am quoting faithfreedom but they have got alot of hadith that demonstrate my point.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/stoning.htm
As you can see in many cases Muhammad (SAW) was insisted by the criminal to sentence them.
It is of note though that had the person not confessed then no one would know any wiser and there ould be no punishment. Confession though humiliating and honest it may be, the sin itself becomes public knowledge so the expiation of that damage to society cannot go unpaid for. Remaining quite about it, means society is not affected by it. The punishment however comes in the Hereafter if sincere forgiveness has not been made in this life.