Abstract:
This thesis investigates how poverty, inequality, and desperation frequently lead
individuals to commit crimes in Pakistan. Although modern laws often answer back
with strict sentence, traditional Islamic law documented intent, necessity, and setting—
offering compassion for crimes compelled by survival. Historical instances, such as
Caliph Umar Ibn Khattab suspension of hudud during famine, redirects this empathetic
methodology. The study analyses Pakistan’s unyielding legal responses and calls for
reforms grounded in Islamic principles of justice and mercy. As Kanwel, Asghar, and
Khan (2024), “A criminal justice system that focuses solely on punishment without
addressing the underlying causes of crime fails not only the offender but also society at
large”
To complement the study, this project takes the account of a mixed-media visual book
uniting photography and illustration. It narrates stories of people who committed crimes
out of desperation, pointing to civilize them and induce understanding in audiences.
The design highlights emotional storytelling and challenges societal decision, linking
academic research with art and advocacy. This thesis ultimately argues for a justice
system that balances accountability with compassion and reflects the ethical spirit of
Islamic jurisprudence
