More Close With Quran Part 8

The Miracle of the Divine Law embodied in the Qur’ân

The One Who created the universe and everything in it – the most noble and honored of which is the human being – has chosen for his most honored creation a constitution to regulate his life and guide his behavior and his relationship with his own kind and with his Creator. He has placed upon the application of this Law consequences in this world and in the Hereafter. In this world, a person can realize peace of mind, dignity, and comfort. He can feel true humanity, appreciate the Divine Wisdom behind his being created, brought into existence, and being preferred over the rest of Creation. The Qur’ân contains the regulations that humanity needs to conduct their lives. No aspect of life is left without being considered and provided with specific legislation.

The legislative and moral aspects of the Qur’ân are themselves a great proof that the Qur’ân is from Allah. The highest moral standards and legal principles that are contained within the Qur’ân, in their comprehensiveness, completeness, and detail, are beyond anything that can be achieved by man.

The existence of a comprehensive Law that covers every aspect of human life on both the individual and societal level goes beyond what the greatest human minds could ever conceive. Moreover, this system of law came on the tongue of an illiterate man who was not acquainted with the writings and philosophies of the ancients. He never embarked on any travels for learning or explorations around the world to observe their laws and norms.

This Divine Law has lasted for generations, for centuries, without losing its luster. Any objective observer has to admit to its divine origins and its suitability for application in every place and in every era.

Examples of the Law embodied in the Qur’ân:

1. The Qur’ân contains laws pertaining to worship, human activities, the penal system, and retribution, all of which strengthen society and implant a sense of cooperation between its members. It provides them with order, facilitates their obedience, and gives them a society guided by faith. This can clearly be seen in the laws pertaining to prayer, the Zakâh tax, fasting, and the Hajj pilgrimage.

Prayer is a means of individual development that forms the character of a person, enabling him to act in a harmonious way with others and to take direction from someone else (the leader of the congregational prayer).

The Persian general Rustum articulated this during the Battle of al-Qâdisiyyah when he saw the Muslims praying in their ranks behind the one who was leading the prayer. He said: “`Umar (the Caliph) has torn my heart by teaching the Arabs the concept of order.”

The Zakâh tax removes class hatred and hostility from society and provides a sense of social responsibility and security among Muslims.

Fasting creates a sense of unity between all Muslims and teaches them patience, will power, and a sense that Allah is taking their deeds to account, both the deeds that they perform openly and those that they perform in secret.

The Hajj pilgrimage brings equality between all people and reminds them of the Day of Judgment to come. It is a visible testimony of the equality between Muslims and of Islamic unity, regardless of race or color. It is the realization of Allah’s words

Truly this nation of yours is one nation and I am your Lord, so worship Me.

2. The Qur’ân contains a number of specific legislations for both the individual and society that prevent division and strife between Muslims, or limit the effects of such divisions when they occur and keep them from continuing and spreading.

For this reason, legislation comes to protect human life. Retribution is legislated for both life and limb. Allah says:

O you who believe, the law of retribution is prescribed for you in case of murder; the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. If the killer is forgiven by his injured brother, then prosecution according to usage and payment of the blood money in fairness. This is alleviation and a mercy from your Lord, so after this, whoever transgresses the limits shall have a painful torment.

Allah says:

And We ordained therein for them: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and retribution in injuries. But if anyone remits the retribution by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the transgressors.

3. Laws are provided that safeguard human honor and warn against violating it. For one thing, sexual contact is forbidden outside of marriage. Allah says:

The woman and man guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, flog each of them a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case in a punishment prescribed by Allah if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. The fornicator marries none but the fornicatress or an idolatress, and the fornicatress marries none other than a fornicator or an idolater. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers.

4. The Qur’ân provides legislation to protect the wealth and possessions of people. It prohibits seizure of other’s property through fraud, deception, force, usury, and all other forbidden means. Allah says:

And do not consume one another’s property unjustly, or give it in bribes to the rulers that you may knowingly consume part of another’s property unjustly.

Allah says:

And Allah has permitted commerce and prohibited interest.

The Law requires payment of the Zakâh tax and encourages voluntary charity, increasing the circulation of wealth throughout society. It prohibits hoarding wealth and withholding it from those who have a right to it and those who are in need. All of this prevents the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few who live off of the labor and toil of others. Allah says:

…so it will not circulate (only) between the wealthy among you.

5. The state as outlined in the Qur’ân, when it was established in history was unprecedented in that it realized all the components of prosperity, security, justice, and all of the manifestations of strength, greatness, and glory. This came as a result of applying the laws of the Qur’ân, because the state derives its greatness and glory from the principles that it provides for humanity and its vigilance in applying them with integrity and justice. Among the most important of these principles are the following:

A. Mutual consultation: The Qur’ân links consultation to the basic activities of a believer, like prayer and Zakâh, for it is also a basic aspect of the believer’s character. Allah says: And those who avoid the greater sins and licentiousness, and when they are angry, forgive. And those who answer the call of their Lord and perform the prayer and conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We bestow on them. And those who, when a great wrong is done to them, defend themselves. The Qur’ân does not define how this consultation has to be carried out. This is out of leniency, flexibility, and mercy, because the best method may be different for different generations.

B. Absolute justice between citizens: The Islamic State does not tolerate that the strong should take away the rights of the weak. People are equal before the law and before the courts: the ruler and the ruled, the strong and the weak, the young and the old. For this reason, we see that establishing justice between people is one of the primary aspects of the Divine Message. Allah says:

So unto this then invite the people and stand firm as you are commanded and follow not their desires but say: ‘I believe in what Allah sent down in his book and am commanded to establish justice between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds and for you are your deeds. There is no dispute between you and us. Allah will assemble us all, and to Him is the final return.

Allah says:

O you who believe, stand firmly for justice as witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves, your parents, or your kinfolk, whether rich or poor. Allah is a better protector for them. So follow not your desires lest you avoid justice. And if you lapse or fall away, then verily Allah is ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.

all these articles taken from http://www.islamtoday.com