Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 34)
2. Adherence to Islamic Sharia
Following Sharia and performing divine obligations form the foundation and cornerstone of Islam because Islam consists of both belief and practice. The fruits of faith are realized only through action. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: «إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي» Translation: “Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
This verse emphasizes that Allah’s oneness in divinity necessitates exclusivity in worship. Additionally, Allah specifically mentions prayer because it is the highest act of obedience and the most important form of worship in Islamic law. This verse shows that knowing Allah is the first step on the path of truth, and after monotheism, no obligation is greater than prayer.
The Levels of Legal Obligations in Islamic Sharia:
1. Individual Obligation (Wājib ‘Aynī): Acts that are obligatory for every Muslim individually, such as prayer, fasting in Ramadan, and Hajj.
2. Collective Obligation (Wājib Kifā’ī): Acts that, if performed by some Muslims, are no longer required from others, such as jihad and funeral prayers.
3. Acts that Preserve and Strengthen the Religion: These acts prevent the loss of religious principles and contribute to their reinforcement.
The Two Levels of Adherence to Sharia:
1. The Minimum Level: This level is obligatory for everyone, and neglecting it is forbidden. It includes performing obligatory duties (such as prayer and fasting) and avoiding prohibitions (such as polytheism and sin).
2. The Higher Level: This level involves performing recommended acts and avoiding disliked acts. Adhering to this level brings one closer to Allah and increases one’s rank in the Hereafter.
Implementing Islamic Sharia on Earth
The application of Islamic law is one of the most important means of preserving religion, as its survival is impossible without enforcement. The fundamental goal of Sharia is to ensure its practical implementation on Earth so that all human actions and decisions align with divine law. This establishes social justice, restores rights to their rightful owners, and prevents oppression and corruption.
Almighty Allah has forbidden governance and judgment based on laws other than Islamic law and refers to them as “Ṭāghūt” (false authority): «أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَن يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا» Translation: “Have you not seen those who claim to believe in what was revealed to you and what was revealed before you, yet they seek judgment from Ṭāghūt, while they were commanded to reject it? And Satan desires to lead them far astray.”
This verse, expressed in a tone of reproach, highlights the incompatibility between faith in divine scriptures and seeking judgment from sources other than divine law (Ṭāghūt). Ṭāghūt includes soothsayers, rulers, and any authority that judges by anything other than the Quran and Sunnah. Some interpreters define Ṭāghūt as Satan and anything or anyone that exceeds limits in opposing Islam.
In another verse, Almighty Allah says: «وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ» Translation: “And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed—they are the disbelievers.”
This ruling applies to all those responsible for governance in an Islamic society who fail to rule according to the Quran and Sunnah.
The View of Ibn ‘Abbas (MAPH)
It is reported that Ibn ‘Abbas (MAPH) said:
“Whoever denies the obligation of ruling by what Allah has revealed is a disbeliever. However, if someone believes in it but does not act upon it, he is a wrongdoer (Zalim) and a rebellious sinner (Fasiq).”
He also explained that the disbelief mentioned in this verse does not necessarily mean exiting Islam. Rather, disbelief (Kufr), wrongdoing (Zulm), and sinfulness (Fisq) have different levels, and some degrees of them do not take a person outside the fold of Islam.
The implementation of Islamic law is essential for the preservation and survival of the religion. When Sharia is visible in people’s lives, it prevents the infiltration of corrupt desires and misleading ideologies, thereby closing the door to deviation. As the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «لا يؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يَكُونَ هَوَاهُ تَبَعًا لِمَا جِئْتُ بِهِ» Translation: “None of you truly believes until his desires are in accordance with what I have brought.”
4. Da’wah (Calling) to the Religion
Inviting others to Islam was the primary duty of the prophets, and after the end of prophethood, this responsibility was placed upon the scholars. Scholars must follow this path, endure hardships, and remain patient in the face of opposition and persecution. The establishment of religion is not possible without struggle, effort in conveying its teachings, explaining its virtues and rulings, and responding to doubts and misconceptions.
Da’wah (calling to Islam) is the greatest means of preserving the religion. Without it, Islam would deviate from its true path. As Almighty Allah says: «قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ» Translation: “Say: This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight—I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah, and I am not of the polytheists.”
This verse emphasizes that calling to Islam must be done with insight, clear evidence, and certainty. The caller must firmly believe in the truth of the message and convey it with clarity and proof. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also said in this regard: «بَلِّغُوا عَنِّي وَلَوْ آيَةً» Translation: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.”
2. Means of Preserving Religion from a Negative Perspective
Preserving religion negatively means rejecting anything that contradicts it, whether in speech or action. This is one of the most crucial methods of safeguarding Islam because indifference toward false statements, corrupt beliefs, misleading ideologies, and destructive sects leads to the erosion of faith. Through negligence, falsehood can infiltrate religion, truth and falsehood may become mixed, and future generations may drift away from the essence of Islam.
Almighty Allah speaks about those who conceal the truths of the religion: «إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَى مِن بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ أُوْلَٰئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّاعِنُونَ» Translation: “Those who conceal the clear proofs and guidance We have revealed after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are cursed by Allah, and those who curse will also curse them.”
Concealing the truths of the religion is a great injustice, and scholars and leaders of the Ummah are responsible for this.
