Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 33)
Essential Objectives:
Preserving religion is one of the most important objectives in the category of essential objectives of Sharia. The realization of this objective depends on the means that Allah Almighty has made lawful and obligatory. Likewise, anything that harms the preservation of religion has been prohibited and deemed unlawful. Therefore, understanding the objectives and means of preserving religion is crucial in this discussion.
B: Means of Preserving Religion
The protection of Islam is achieved from two aspects:
1. The Positive Aspect (Commands): Performing actions necessary for the preservation and strengthening of religion.
2. The Negative Aspect (Prohibitions): Avoiding actions that harm religion.
By fulfilling these two aspects, a comprehensive means for safeguarding religion is established.
1. Positive Means of Preserving Religion
The preservation of religion is the most significant objective of Islamic Sharia, and this great aim cannot be left vulnerable to destruction, distortion, or alteration. The loss of religion leads to the destruction of other objectives and the ruin of the world. Allah Almighty has likened the state of those who are deprived of true religion and its light to lifeless beings devoid of feeling or reason, as He says: «أَوَ مَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَن مَثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا» Translation: (Is the one who was dead, then We gave him life and provided him with a light by which he walks among the people, like the one who is in darkness, never emerging from it?)
The meaning of “light” in this verse refers to guidance and faith. Some interpret it as referring to the Qur’an, while others explain it as wisdom. Thus, a person who possesses faith, the Qur’an, and wisdom leads their life and actions with divine insight.
Following this, Allah describes the disbelievers as: «وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ الْأَنْعَامُ وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ» Translation: (Those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat just as cattle eat, and their abode is the Fire.)
This verse likens disbelievers to cattle that are solely concerned with material and physical pleasures, unaware of their ultimate fate.
Elsewhere, Allah compares disbelievers to cattle in terms of their lack of reason and discernment—He describes them as even more misguided than cattle: «وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا أُوْلَٰئِكَ كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُوْلَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ» Translation: (And We have certainly created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like cattle—rather, they are even more astray. It is they who are heedless.)
This verse indicates that disbelievers do not make use of their faculties of perception. Their hearts do not comprehend the truth, their eyes do not see the signs of Allah, and their ears do not listen to admonition. Meanwhile, animals, within their capacity, can distinguish between benefit and harm. However, this group is even deprived of this ability and remains in complete heedlessness.
Thus, to protect religion, both positive means—such as education, strengthening faith, and practicing Sharia—and negative means—such as avoiding sins and deviations—must be observed. Through this approach, the essential objective of preserving religion will be realized.
Preserving Religion Through the Positive Aspect
The positive means of preserving religion can be summarized in several fundamental aspects, the most important of which are faith in Allah and the Last Day, as well as knowledge of Allah’s names and attributes.
1. Faith in Allah and the Last Day
Faith in Allah and the Last Day is the foundation of accepting acts of worship; without it, no deed holds any value. The core message of the Makkan call (Da’wah) was built on three principles: Tawhid (monotheism), resurrection (Ma‘ād), and prophethood (Nubuwwah).
Faith in the Last Day is one of the six pillars of faith, and without it, one’s faith is incomplete. Whoever denies this principle is excluded from the fold of Islam.
Allah Almighty states: “But righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah and the Last Day.”
The word birr (righteousness) in this verse encompasses all forms of goodness, including faith, righteous deeds, and noble character. In this verse, Allah explains the principles of faith alongside righteous actions.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), in response to Jibril’s (PBUH) question about faith, said: «أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالقَدَرِ خَيْرِهِ وَشَرِّهِ» Translation: (Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and predestination (both good and bad).)
The Importance of Faith in the Last Day (Day of The Judgement)
Faith in the Last Day is one of the most crucial aspects of a person’s life, as it clarifies their destiny from the moment of death until their entrance into either Paradise or Hell. Allah Almighty says: «ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الْحَقُّ فَمَنْ شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَى رَبِّهِ مَآبًا» Translation: “That Day is the true reality. So, whoever wills, let him take a path of return to his Lord.”
The Benefits of Faith in the Day of Judgement
Faith in the Day of Judgment brings numerous blessings and benefits:
1. Encouragement to perform acts of obedience—due to hope for divine reward.
2. Restraint from sins—out of fear of divine punishment.
3. Peace and reassurance—a believer remains hopeful for the reward of the Hereafter in the face of hardships and worldly losses.
4. Achieving individual and societal well-being—belief in divine accountability strengthens adherence to justice and obedience to Allah, reducing evil and corruption while spreading goodness, peace, and security in society.
The Impact of Faith on Speech and Actions
Faith in the Day of Judgment makes a person more mindful of their words and deeds. A believer knows that every word and action is recorded and that they will be held accountable.
Allah Almighty says: «وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا» Translation: “And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight, and the heart—all will be questioned.”
This verse prohibits a person from speaking or acting without knowledge, including baseless assumptions, false testimony, slander, and backbiting.
The Impact of Faith on Social Ethics
Weakness of faith has led to the spread of immoral actions among Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: «إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ، فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ.» Translation: (Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech.)
True faith in the Day of Judgment leads to the proper use of perceptual faculties such as hearing, sight, and the heart, preventing a person from lying, slander, and negative assumptions.
Faith in Allah and the Last Day is a fundamental pillar of Islam and a key factor in individual and societal well-being. This faith encourages sincere worship, avoidance of sin, and adherence to morality and justice. Weakness in this faith is the root cause of many social and ethical corruptions.
