Theological facets of the doctrine of crime (some thoughts on the new monograph by Professor I. M. Ragimov)

The article notes the undeniable scientific value of the new monograph by Professor I. M. Ragimov, rich in extraordinary thoughts, which is also manifested in the fact that from its pages the author speaks not only and not so much about something within the scope of the subject of research, but mainly something meaningful in the field under consideration. The advantage of the monograph is also seen in the fact that the author, considering certain theological or historical aspects of crime and punishment, reveals to the reader previously unexplored facets of these teachings in the Scriptures, demonstrating his brilliant knowledge of both the fundamental provisions of the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, the Vedas and the Tripitaka, as well as such monuments of the legal culture of antiquity, like the Laws of Hammurabi, the Code of Ur-Nammu, the Laws of Manu, etc., excerpts from which are harmoniously woven into the fabric of the text of the work. At the same time, analyzing certain moral and legal views of the Bible, I. M. Ragimov proceeds not only from his own understanding, but also from the postulates of general, comparative and dogmatic theology, which testifies to the author’s extensive knowledge in the field of scholastic church teaching about the Almighty and the dogmas of faith. Another distinctive feature of the reviewed book is that, for all the scientific intensity of the title, its content is much broader and richer. In particular, considerable attention is paid to purely criminological aspects, including the role of Abrahamic religions in preventing certain types of crimes, minimizing deviant behavior in society, forming the idea of proportionality of punishment for what they have done, etc.