Law and Order

Suggested Duration: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives

To explore the importance of law and order in society
To understand that Muslims, like everybody else, should be law-abiding citizens
To establish that law and order is a fundamental part of Islam

Key Words

Law, order, law-abiding, citizens, obey

Islamic Values

Islam teaches us to be law-abiding citizens of the country we live in.

Citizenship Values

Good citizens obey the law and help in maintaining order in the country.

Resources

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1901: Lesson Objectives

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1902: Everyday Rules

Activities

Ask some quick questions to recap the last lesson. Share the lesson objectives.

A Starter Activity

Ask pupils to work in pairs and complete Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1902. The task is to list the rules they are required to obey at home, at school, and in the madrasah.

Take quick feedback and stress that rules are made to guide us and to bring discipline into our lives. Rules are also there to ensure safety and security in society.

B Development

Activity 1: Life Without Rules

Ask pupils to refer back to the set of rules they listed in the last activity and think what things would be like without these rules. For example you may wish to ask:

What would it be like if there were no rules in the madrasah/school?
What would it be like if we didn't have the Highway Code (a set of driving rules)?
What would it be like on the football pitch without rules?

Explain that the government has to make laws to protect the rights of its citizens and to maintain peace in the country. As good citizens we must respect these laws.

Activity 2: Respecting the Law of the Land

The law of the land (UK law) allows you to worship freely and go about your business as a good Muslim. Islamic teachings require you to obey the law.

Ask pupils to complete Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1903 and differentiate between rules that have to be obeyed and those that do not because they go against the Islamic teachings.

Emphasise that, as British citizens and Muslims, we must obey the law of the land. In case of a rare clash between Islamic teachings and the law of the land relating to day-to-day affairs, scholars will usually advise us to obey the law of land.

In case of issues of belief (aqidah) they would tell us to follow the Islamic teachings and use lawful and peaceful methods to get the government to resolve the conflict. We must never take the law into our own hands.

Ask pupils if there are any laws in the UK which they feel are unjust.

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1903: Islamic Teachings and the Law of the Land

Activity 3: Islamic Guidance

Ask a pupil to recite the following verses. Explain the meaning.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ

'Indeed God commands justice and kindness and giving relatives their rights and forbids shameful acts and evil and oppression...' (Surat al-Nahl 16:90)

Questions: What about the rights of non-relatives? Give an example of oppression.

Emphasise that the Qur`an forbids us to do evil, unjust and shameful acts. Breaking laws which are made to create peace and security and to protect the rights of people is wrong. It would be an unjust and evil act if we were to start breaking the laws.

'Love people as you love your own self. Are you not embarrassed to see that your neighbour respects your rights and you do not recognise and respect his rights?' (Al-Kafi)

'Hearing and obeying are the duties of a Muslim, both regarding what he likes and he dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to perform an act of disobedience to God, in which case he must neither hear nor obey.' (Bukhari)

This hadith encourages us to hear and obey as far as we are not asked to commit a sin.

C Plenary

Sum up and stress the importance of being a law-abiding citizen, and of understanding that Islam requires us to follow the laws of our country as responsible citizens.

Ask pupils to complete Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1905.

Suggested Follow-up Work

Give instructions for follow-up work:

As the headteacher of a madrasah, develop a set of rules to run your madrasah effectively. Think about protecting the rights of teachers, pupils and parents.

Use Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1906 to report back.

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1904: Islamic Guidance

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1905: Feedback

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1906: Follow-up Worksheet

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1901

Lesson Objectives

To explore the importance of law and order in society
To understand that Muslims, like everybody else, should be law-abiding citizens
To establish that law and order is a fundamental part of Islam

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1902

Everyday Rules

List the rules you follow every day at home, at school, in your madrasah, in the playground and in the community. For example, in your madrasah and school you must listen carefully when the teacher is talking.

You can list these rules in any order.

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1903

Islamic Teachings and the Law of the Land

The law of the land (UK law) allows you to worship freely and go about your business as a good Muslim. Islamic teachings require you to obey the law. From the list of laws below decide, as a Muslim, which of the laws you have to follow and which you do not. Remember to give your reason if you think you do not have to obey any laws listed below.

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1904

Islamic Guidance

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ

'Indeed God commands justice and kindness and giving relatives their rights and forbids shameful acts and evil and oppression...' (Surat al-Nahl 16:90)

'Hearing and obeying are the duties of a Muslim, both regarding what he likes and he dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to perform an act of disobedience to God, in which case he must neither hear nor obey. (Bukhari)

'Love people as you love your own self. Are you not embarrassed to see that your neighbour respects your rights and you do not recognise and respect his rights?' (Al-Kafi)

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1905

Feedback

Lesson Title: Law and Order

Name:

Madrasah/Organisation:

Today I have learnt about:

As a result of this lesson I have learnt that a good Muslim should:

I am going to follow up this topic in my home/school/community by:

Law and Order

Pupils' Activity Sheet 3.1906

Follow-up Worksheet

Lesson Title: Law and Order

Name:

Madrasah/Organisation:

Task:

As the headteacher of a madrasah, develop a set of rules to run your madrasah effectively. Think about protecting the rights of teachers, pupils and parents.