Peter Solomon (asker) Dec 6, 2012:

Thank you for all of your comments - interesting and helpful

Steve Booth Dec 4, 2012:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tazir

Saleh Dardeer Dec 4, 2012:

I second Abdallah's "crimes of discretionary punishment"

Hudood and Qisas were translated before, kindly check KudoZ glossary

Abdallah Ali Dec 3, 2012:

Qesas: (fair) retribution
Hudoud: bounds/limits set by God, according to common English translations of Quran. In the context of punishment, I believe it is important to provide a transliteration.

Peter Solomon (asker) Dec 3, 2012:

Thank you for all of this excellent information. I am also interested in the translation of Hudoud and Qasas in this context.

Mohammad Gornas Dec 3, 2012:

If I where the asker I would note Abdallah Ali`s remarks, and I would consider the 1st suggestion (discretionarily punished crimes) simply because it includes the word (crime) which is actually the main subject of the question..

Mohammad Gornas Dec 3, 2012:

If I where the asker I would note Abdallah Ali`s remarks, and I would consider the 1st suggestion (discretionarily punished crimes) simply because it includes the word (crime) which is actual the main subject of the question..

Lucinda Wills Dec 3, 2012:

Abdallah Ali, put your answer in the Answer box so you can earn some well-deserved points!

Muhammad Atallah Dec 3, 2012:

Dear Abdallah,
Of course, you are right, and "crimes of discretionary punishment" is perfect. However, the source text says "جرائم تعزيرية" not "عقوبات تعزيرية", and you know how accurate and meticulous the legal translator is expected to be :) Moreover, "discretionary crimes" is widely used. Please google it. Thank you!

Lucinda Wills Dec 3, 2012:

I think you're probably right about "crimes of discretionary punishment". When I searched the term جرائم تعزيزية I actually came up with the term عقوبات تعزيزية more often.

Lucinda Wills Dec 3, 2012:

Thank you, Abdallah, for the correction. I had made the mistake of summarizing from the text I referenced. It actually said 'precursors to adultery".

Abdallah Ali Dec 3, 2012:

discretionary crimes Dear Muhammad,
Thanks for the proposed answer. I believe the crime's punishment is discretionary and not the crime itself. I find it a bit confusing. Maybe "discretionarily punished crimes", "crimes of discretionary punishment" or "discretionary punishment" alone could work better!
What do you think?

Abdallah Ali Dec 3, 2012:

Adultery Dear Lucinda,
Thanks for the listing. Please note that adultery falls under Hodoud punishment. It is specifically stated in the Quran along with its different punishments.

Lucinda Wills Dec 3, 2012:

This is a term in Islamic fiqh. I don't know the English equivalent but will try to find out.

The type of crimes that fall under this category include:
1) indecent behavior, adultery, kidnapping, violations of marriage contracts,
2) violation of dignity (cursing, slandering, spreading rumors)
3) sale or use of drugs and intoxicants
4) fraud, embezzlement, deception
5) aggression, violence, terrorism, threatened security
6) threats to soundness of Islamic state through illegal writings, speech, coalitions, or espionage
7) threats to soundness of Islamic practice: proselytizing, purposefully shunning prayer, fasting, or paying zakat.

I hope this will help you find an equivalent if an expert out there doesn't show up!