Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Qur’an: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part 13)
The Legislative Miracle of the Holy Quran
A Study of Dimensions, Characteristics, and Effects
One of the amazing and extraordinary aspects of the Holy Quran is its “legislative miracle.” In addition to being miraculous in scientific and rhetorical fields, the Holy Quran also has characteristics in the field of legislation and laws that distinguish it from human books and legislation. The legislation and laws of the Quran, although they were revealed in the seventh century AD, are so solid, coherent, fair, and balanced that they still meet all the needs of human societies after more than a thousand and a few hundred years. Legislation in human societies always proceeds by trial and error; but the Holy Quran has presented a perfect legal and moral system in which there is neither excess nor exaggeration.
In this section, we will examine the legislative miracle of the Quran and how it affects human societies.
Definition of the Legal Miracle of the Quran
The legal miracle of the Quran refers to a set of laws and regulations that the Holy Quran has presented to regulate the individual and social relations of humans. These laws are not only morally and religiously, but also administratively and socially perfect and excellent, and they are still enforceable regardless of time and place.
In other words, the legal miracle of the Quran refers to the complete harmony of these laws with the needs of humans at any time and place, as well as their stability and compliance with human and moral principles.
Manah ibn Khalil al-Qattan, may Allah bless him, writes: Allah, the Exalted, has chosen for this honorable creature a law in life that regulates his behavior in this world and his relationship with himself and with his Lord, the Exalted.
And He has determined consequences for him in this world and the Hereafter based on walking the path in accordance with this precious divine law; If a person follows it, he will achieve peace, dignity and prosperity in the world, and feel that he has achieved the truth of being a human being and will understand the divine wisdom in his creation and his superiority over other creatures. Also, Allah Almighty has guaranteed him happiness in the hereafter, so that this happiness will be the continuation of his worldly happiness.[1]
Characteristics of the legislative miracle of the Quran
The Holy Quran covers all aspects of human life, from belief, individual worship and morality to social, economic and political laws, we will mention some of the unique legislative characteristics of the Holy Quran as follows:
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Comprehensiveness and Inclusion: Unlike human laws that are usually limited to specific issues, time, and place, the Holy Quran has provided laws that are comprehensive and include all aspects of human life. In the Holy Quran, all individual, social, economic, political, and even moral issues have been explained with precise and comprehensive solutions, for example:
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Personal rulings: The Quran has provided completely specific and enforceable laws in the field of individual rulings, such as issues related to worship (prayer, fasting, zakat, hajj, purity, and ethics), personal discipline, and moral issues related to the individual and his behavior.
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Family affairs: The laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and other family issues in the Quran are in a way that ensures the rights of all family members. The Quran is the founder of a healthy and stable family, from the laws of marriage and divorce to inheritance and maintenance, good treatment of the spouse, inheritance laws, limits on divorce and remarriage.
These rulings have created a perfect balance between the rights of men and women, the rights of children and parents, and the preservation of human dignity.
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Social rules; (justice, cooperation, enjoining good and forbidding evil): In addition to individual rules, the Quran also deals with rules in the field of society. These rules include family rights (marriage, divorce, inheritance) and people’s rights (social justice, preventing corruption and oppression).
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Economic rulings (zakat, usury, trade, charity): The Holy Quran has examined many economic issues, including the prohibition of usury, the principles of zakat, charity, and the laws of trade. These laws provide the principles of economic justice.
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Politics and government: Quranic rules in the field of government are based on consultation, justice and respect for the rights of the people and do not accept any kind of tyranny.
In short, Allah Almighty says: «ٱليَومَ أَكمَلتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُم وَأَتمَمتُ عَلَيكُمۡ نِعمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلإِسلٰمَ دِيناۚ » Translation: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Al-Ma’idah: 3]
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Justice and Equality: Another unique characteristic of the laws of the Holy Quran is its justice and equality. The Holy Quran rejects any discrimination, and its laws are applied equally to all human beings, regardless of ethnicity, gender or social status. In the Holy Quran, justice is presented in such a way that no one is exempt from it:
“وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ” Translation: “And when you judge between people, judge with justice” [Al-Nisa: 58]
This verse clearly emphasizes justice in judgments and respecting the rights of individuals, as well as the verse: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِله” Translation: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah.” [Al-Nisa: 135] emphasizes the observance of justice for all.
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Stability in principles and flexibility in branches: The Holy Quran has kept principles such as monotheism, justice, piety, honesty, loyalty, keeping one’s covenant, the prohibition of usury and oppression constant and is consistent in details with the interests of the time. This “balance between stability and change” is also one of the manifestations of miracle.
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Harmony with nature and intellect: The laws of the Quran are in harmony with human nature, and intellect accepts them. There is no any unacceptable imposition or compulsion in none of its rulings that is incompatible with intellect:
“فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا” Translation: “The nature of God upon which He created mankind”[Al-Rum: 30] In none of the rulings of the Holy Quran is there any contradiction with common sense and human nature, and in all rulings, a balance has been observed between the soul and the body, the individual and society, matter and meaning.
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Balance between the individual and society: Although Quranic legislation gives importance to the reform of the individual, it does not neglect the interests of society; prayer is for the education of the individual, zakat is for social justice, fasting is for self-control, and Hajj is for the unity of the Ummah.
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Global impact: The rulings of the Holy Quran have been influential throughout history and in different societies, causing fundamental changes in social and political structures.
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Issuance from an “Ummi” person: The Quran was presented by an “Ummi” (illiterate) prophet who grew up in an illiterate environment, which is itself a proof of its miracle.
No human school has had such comprehensiveness and inclusion.
The impact of the legislative miracle of the Holy Quran on human societies
The legislative miracle of the Holy Quran has had profound effects not only at the time of its revelation; but also in every period of human history. In fact, the Holy Quran, with the laws it has presented, has guided Islamic societies towards justice, equality, and sustainable development. On the other hand, these laws can also be used as practical examples in solving complex social and economic problems in the contemporary era.
Some of the unique, miraculous and countless effects of Quranic legislation over the centuries are as follows:
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Building a honorable Islamic civilization;
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Impacting the legal systems of the world;
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Recognizing and respecting the rights of women, workers, slaves and minorities for the first time;
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Strengthening the foundations of Islamic law, politics and economics;
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And…
Continues…
References:
- Studies in the Miracle of the Qur’an, p. 231
