Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
Religious Needs Assessment of Human Beings in the Light of Islamic Teachings (Part 5)
Continuation of the principles by which the true religion can be distinguished from the false:
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In its laws, it should aim to preserve the essential interests of human beings and to repel corruption from them — such as religion, honor, wealth, life, and lineage — because human life depends on these.
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It should uphold truth, spread justice and mercy among the people, eliminate falsehood, and forbid oppression and transgression of some over others — whether that oppression is by violating others’ rights or by monopolizing wealth.
Allah Almighty says: “إِنَّ اللّهَ یأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِیتَاء ذِی الْقُرْبَى وَینْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْی یعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ* وَأَوْفُواْ بِعَهْدِ اللّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدتُّمْ وَلاَ تَنقُضُواْ الأَیمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِیدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللّهَ عَلَیكُمْ كَفِیلاً إِنَّ اللّهَ یعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ.” (1) Translation: “God commands justice, kindness, and giving to relatives, and forbids major sins (such as polytheism and adultery), indecent acts (contrary to human nature and sound reason), and aggression and oppression. God admonishes you so that you may take heed (and by following the three principles of justice, benevolence, and giving to kin, and by opposing the three evils of immorality, wrongdoing, and tyranny, you may build a peaceful and prosperous world free of misery and corruption). Fulfill the covenant of God (which you make with one another) when you make it, and do not break your oaths after confirming them (by swearing in the name of God), while you have made God a witness over yourselves. Surely God knows what you do (and He will reward or punish you accordingly).”
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It should clarify for the human being the way to achieve the purpose of his existence, guide him to what God wants from him, and inform him of his reality and his destiny.
Allah the Exalted says: «وَاللَّهُ یقُولُ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ یهْدِی السَّبِیلَ.» ؛ (2) Translation: God speaks the truth and guides to the straight path.
Therefore, whatever God has informed is the truth, and the law (Shariah) that He has prescribed is the truth. False speech and actions can never be attributed to Him, nor are they part of His guidance, for He guides only to the straight way and the true paths that lead man to happiness and peace of soul — where every whispering is removed from him, every question about his existence is answered, and every problem is solved for him.
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It should be compatible with sound human nature (fitrah) and pure reason.
Allah the Exalted says: “فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّینِ حَنِیفاً فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِی فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَیهَا لَا تَبْدِیلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّینُ الْقَیمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یعْلَمُونَ” (3) Translation: “Turn your face sincerely toward the true religion (Islam). This is the natural disposition upon which God has created mankind. The creation of God should not be altered (by turning from faith to disbelief, from religion to irreligion, from truthfulness to deviation). This is the upright and firm religion, but most people do not know.”
The true religion Is the law (Shariah) of Allah the Exalted, and sound reason is the creation of Allah the Exalted; and it is impossible that the Shariah of God and the creation of God should contradict each other.
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It should not discriminate among its followers on the basis of race, color, tribe, or any similar consideration.
Allah the Exalted says: “یا أَیهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوباً وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِیمٌ خَبِیرٌ” (4) Translation: “O mankind! We have created you from a man and a woman (named Adam and Hawwa) and made you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another (each person being distinguished by his own inner and outer characteristics, and having a unique role in the structure of human society). Surely the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the one most pious among you. God is indeed All-Knowing and All-Aware (of your thoughts, deeds, and words, and of the state of everyone and everything).”
Thus, the criterion of superiority in the true religion is piety, sincere faith, and righteous action. (5)
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It should remain protected from human interference and from being altered according to their desires.
The true religion came to reform people’s affairs and to make them aware of knowledge they could not attain independently. If this religion becomes a tool that hands manipulate for achieving their worldly goals and ambitions, it loses all its meaning.
Allah the Exalted, regarding the religion that He revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), says: “إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ” (6) Translation: “We have revealed the Qur’an, and We are its protector (and until the Day of Resurrection, We shall preserve it from the tampering of enemies and from any alteration or distortion over time).”
And concerning those who altered the teachings of their religion and distorted their scriptures, He says: “فَوَیلٌ لِّلَّذِینَ یكْتُبُونَ الْكِتَابَ بِأَیدِیهِمْ ثُمَّ یقُولُونَ هَذَا مِنْ عِندِ اللّهِ لِیشْتَرُواْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِیلاً فَوَیلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَیدِیهِمْ وَوَیلٌ لَّهُمْ مِّمَّا یكْسِبُونَ.” (7) Translation: “Woe to those (among the scholars) who write the Book with their own hands and then say to the unlearned: ‘This (book) is from God,’ so that they may sell it for a small price! Woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn thereby! (Such writings and deeds lead them toward ruin and punishment).”
Continues…
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References:
[1]. An-Nahl: 90–91.
[2]. Al-Ahzab: 4.
[3]. Ar-Rum: 30.
[4]. Al-Hujurat: 13.
[5]. For further information on this topic, see: Al-Islam: Its Principles and Fundamentals, Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Saleh As-Suhaim, Riyadh: Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, 1421 AH.
[6]. Al-Hijr: 9.
[7]. Al-Baqarah: 79.
