Author: Shukran Ahmadi
Inquiries on the Science of the Objectives of Sharia (Part 41)
B: Means of Maintaining the Intellect
2. The Obligation of Education
One of the most important means of maintaining the intellect is education and knowledge, which distinguishes between the wise and the ignorant. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: «قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِي الظُّلُمَاتُ وَالنُّورُ.» Translation: “(O Muhammad! to the polytheists) say: Are the blind (who are you) and the seeing (who are believers) equal? Or are the darkness (which is your blind questions) and the light (which is the guidance of Allah and the gift of the believers) equal?”
Knowledge not only frees man from ignorance and superstition but also increases his intellectual powers. Allah clearly emphasizes in the Holy Quran: «يرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ.» Translation: “Allah will raise those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge in high ranks.”
Therefore, acquiring knowledge has been prescribed in Islam so that people can strengthen their intellect and stay away from the path of ignorance and misguidance.
3. Prohibition of Spiritual Corruptors
In addition to prohibiting intoxicants and narcotics, Islamic law has declared as forbidden anything that leads the human intellect astray and corrupts it. Among these are vulgar and immoral music, images, and films—things that corrupt the heart and occupy the intellect. Undoubtedly, the effect of these corruptors on the human soul and intellect is no less harmful than the destructive effects of wine.
Conclusion
The importance of self-preservation in Islam is so great that the intentional killing of a Muslim is considered an unforgivable sin, and the perpetrator is destined to spend eternity in hell. To achieve this goal, Islam has proposed numerous positive and negative solutions. The prohibition of self-murder and its criminalization, as well as the legislation of the Qisas (retaliation) law, are among these measures.
Islam has considered human blood to be very valuable in order to protect human lives, so that the unjust killing of one human being is considered equal to the killing of all humanity.
In addition, preserving the intellect is also one of the requirements of the Sharia. Intellect is the factor that distinguishes humans from other creatures and is the means through which Allah is known and worshipped. Moreover, humans can distinguish good from evil through intellect. Based on this understanding, several rulings have been established in Islamic Sharia, the purpose of which is to protect the intellect.
Continues…
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