Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Noble Qur’an: its Virtue and Status as a Source of Legislation (Part 1)

Islamic world is overly dependent on Western legal systems, while Islam itself has provided a more effective regulatory system for human civilization. Al-Qur'an should be the main source of law in determining what is outward and inward. It has been revealed to act as a guideline for mankind. But people now still ignore the purpose of Al-Qur'an in our daily life. Some people said it should be separated with our daily life because religion's matter should not be involved in some parts of everyday life. This idea of secularism is still in the process of colonizing people's mind so that people will ignore about purpose of human being and the afterlife. Now I would like to share about Al-Qur'an in perspective of laws. Allah, the Most Gracious, said in the Qur'an:

وَأَنِ ٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَہُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ
"And make judge among you from what Allah has revealed"
(Al-Maiedah : 49)

From this verse, Allah s.w.t has ordered human being to make a decision in any matter based on His rules (Al-Qur'an). So why people still did not understand this? Why do we preach but we
do not practice? This is because the concept of understanding is different with the concept of knowledge. People could posses the knowledge but also could not posses the ability of real understanding at the same time.

The Miracle of Holy Al-Qur'an

The Noble Qur’an is Allah’s Word through which He expressed His commands and teachings. It is raised above any possible description. The Noble Qur’an was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and was accepted by the believers as being the essence of truth. Moreover, the believers maintain that it is the Word of Allah and not the words of any of His creatures. Thus, whosoever claims that it is the words of a human being becomes a disbeliever.

Allah described the Qur’an in the following verses:

"And verily, it is an honourable well-fortified respected Book (because it is Allah’s Speech, and He has protected it from corruption). Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allâh).

(Fussilat:41,42).

The Qur’an was also described by Allah in this verse:

"(This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise Well-Acquainted (with all things).

(Hud:1)

In fact, the verses of the Noble Qur’an are very accurate, clear and obvious; they are perfected by the All-Wise and detailed by the All-Aware. This Qur’an will remain a miraculous Book with regard to the rhetorical, legislative, scientific, and historical aspects. It will remain unchallengeable in these and other aspects till the end of the world. It is preserved from the least kind of distortion; as Allah said:

"Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’ân) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). (Al-Hijr:9)

The world as a whole has not got such a conclusive and comprehensive book as the Noble Qur’an, that contains all kinds of goodness, all the methods for guiding humanity to the straight path and all the means of happiness for humankind in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah said:

"Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him)) who do deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise)". (Al-Israa:9)

The Noble Qur’an was revealed by Allah s.w.t to his Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in order to lead the people out of the darkness of ignorance and polytheism to the light of guidance and monotheism. He said:

"(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allâh and Islâmic Monotheism) by their Lord’s Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise". (Ibrahim:1)

Through the Noble Qur’an, Allah s.w.t recovered the eyes blinded from seeing the truth, the ears deafened from listening to the truth and the hearts sealed and hindered from assimilating the reality. Through the Holy Qur’an, Allah promised happiness for Muslims in this world and in the Hereafter if they recite it in the way ordained by Allah, understand its Surahs and verses; comprehend its sentences and words, consider the limits of Allah included therein; follow its orders; refrain from its prohibitions; adjust their way of life in accordance with the legislation included therein and apply its principles and values to themselves, their families and communities. Allah, the exalted and glorified be, said:

"Those (who embraced Islam from Banî Israel) to whom We gave the Book [the Taurat] [or those (Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) companions) to whom We have given the Book (the Qur’an)] recite it (i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e. followed), they are the ones that believe therein. And whoso disbelieve in it (the Qur’an), those are they who are the losers)". (Al-Baqarah:121)

The well-known companion, Ibn ‘Abbas, said that this verse means:

"Those are the people who follow the Noble Qur’an in the way it should be followed. They regard the unlawful included therein as unlawful and the lawful as lawful. They do not change the words from their (right) places."

The companion of the Prophet, Qatadah, said:

"The reference in the verse is to the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him) who believe in the Book of Allah [the Noble Qur’an], confirm this belief in their hearts, consider its lawful as lawful and its unlawful as unlawful and act according to the teachings included therein".

That is why the Jinn were impressed with the Noble Qur’an when they heard it. Their hearts were filled with its love and they hastened to call their people to believe in that Glorious Book. Allah s.w.t said:

"Say (O Muhammad): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur’an). They said: ‘Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur’an)! ‘It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allah). ‘And He, exalted be the Majesty of our Lord, has taken neither a wife nor a son (or offspring or children). (Al-Jinn:1-3)

In another instance, Allah described the reaction of the Jinn when they heard the recitation of the Noble Qur’an. He said:

(They said: "O our people! Verily, we have heard a Book (this Qur’an) sent down after Musa , confirming what came before it: it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path . O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allah’s Caller (i.e. Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him)), and believe in him (i.e. believe in that which Muhammad (peace be upon him) has brought from Allah and follow him). He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire)." (Al-Ahqaf:30,31)

To be continued..