Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 42)
Preserving Lineage (Ancestry/Generation) and Preserving Wealth
Preserving lineage and wealth are among the essential objectives of Islamic Sharia that hold particular significance in jurisprudence and principles. Preserving lineage, which encompasses the concepts of ancestry and generation, has been recognized alongside preserving wealth as a fundamental objective of Sharia. In this essay, we will analyze and examine these two objectives.
One of the essential objectives of Islamic Sharia is to preserve lineage and generation. This objective holds a prominent position, following the preservation of religion, soul, and intellect. The wise lawgiver has legislated both positive and negative means to protect this objective, which we will analyze below.
Scholars’ Views on Naming This Objective
Scholars differ on the naming of this objective:
1. Preservation of Lineage: Scholars such as Razi, Ibn Qudamah, Baydawi, Qarafi, Sadr al-Sharia, Ibn Sabki, Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli, and Zakaria Ansari consider this objective to be the preservation of lineage.
2. Preservation of Generation: Ghazali, Amadi, Ibn al-Hajj, Shatibi, and Zarkashi refer to it as the preservation of generation.
3. Preservation of Descent: Imam al-Haramayn and Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah have named this objective the preservation of descent.
Tahir ibn Ashur states: “If the objective of preserving lineage is to protect the human race, then mentioning it in essential matters is justified; its absence would lead to the cessation of the human race and the corruption of the world.”
Imam Shatibi, may Allah have mercy on him, also asserts: “The survival of the human race depends on its continuation, and the cessation of generation will lead to the destruction of mankind. Preservation of descent complements the preservation of lineage, and without it, this goal cannot be achieved.”
Positive Means of Preserving Lineage
Islam has encouraged people to marry and choose a spouse in various ways. Marriage is not only a tradition of the prophets but also an act of worship that completes half of one’s religion. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an: «وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَةً…» Translation: “We sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring…”
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: «مَنْ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ امْرَأَةً صَالِحَةً فَقَدْ أَعَانَهُ عَلَى شَطْرِ دِينِهِ… Translation: “Whoever Allah grants a righteous wife, He has helped him with half of his religion; so, he should be pious in preserving the other half.”
Marriage and the choice of a spouse are the best and most natural ways to satisfy the sexual instinct, bringing both physical and mental peace. This peace resolves internal conflicts and disputes and balances human life. Allah says in the Qur’an: «وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ.» Translation: “And among His signs is that He created for you from among yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He put between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect.”
Those who abstain from marriage are condemned in Sharia. Anas bin Malik (MAPH) narrated that three people came to the Prophet (PBUH) and inquired about his worship. When they learned about his practices, they considered their worship insufficient. One said: “I pray all night.” Another said: “I fast every day and never break my fast.” The third said: “I abstain from women and never marry.” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: «أَمَّا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ، وَلَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي.» Translation: “I swear by Allah that I fear Allah more than all of you and am more pious, but I fast and break my fast, I pray and rest, and I marry women. So, whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not from me.”
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