Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

WHO IS THE LAW-MAKER?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESENTATION 3

A DEFINITION OF LAW 4

A DEFINITION OF LAW-MAKER 6

ISLAM: THE UNIVERSAL LEGISLATION FOR MANKIND 10

STAGES OF THE EXISTENCE OF LAW  12

A COMPARISON BETWEEN ISLAMIC LAW AND SECULAR LAW  15

I. CRITERION OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE 17

2. OBJECflVITY 20

3. CLARITY OF VISION 21

4. THE ETHICS OF THE ISLAMIC LAW: 22

5. CAPACITY AND UNIVERSALITY: 23

6. HARMONY AND NON-CONTRADICTION: 24

7. HUMANITARIANISM: 25

8. EVERLASTINGNESS: 26

Notes 28

PRESENTATION

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

“And this is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not other wars, for thei’ will lead you a war from His war...”

Sura AI-An’am (6:153)

Historically and sociologically speaking. the greatest problem faced by humanity has been that of law, order and discipline, but unfortunately mankind itself is the cause of this grave problem.

The solution to this problem is further complicated by man’s arrogance. for he regards himself a godhead, his will a law and his desires and whims a discipline and order.

How much mankind suffers from this problem while revolving with the wheel of loss and futile quest is proved by the absurd laws, man coins, legislates, invents and implements vainly, without being able to reach the avowed goal or to obtain any good result. In fact with these errors he increases humanity’s already sk v-high pile of errors and adds his failures to the calamity of human sufferings.

Thus it is evident that this straying and c&nftised man will never get relief from a hard and cruel life, so long as he remains away from the course of his exalted Creator. Allah. and continues to disregard the Divine Call and Message.

Allah, the Almighty has clearly mentioned in the holy Qur’an:

“And whoever turns away from Mv rememberan cc, his will be a narrow ltfr, and I shall raise hi,,, blind on the L)av of Resurrection. He it’ll say: My Lord why hare You raised tue bli,,d, when I was a seeing one. He will say: So ( it must be,) , Our revelations anw to you but you forgot the,,,. In like manner you are forgotten this Day”

Sura Taha (20:124-126)

In this brief study we will try to throw light on certain aspects of law-making and explain some of its dimensions as fellows:

A Definition of Law

A Definition of Law-maker

An Explanation of the task kuced by the Law-maker

An Evaluation of Islamic Law and Secular Law

We hope that this study would provide a clear vision to humanity and present in its true perspective the thought and position of the Muslim individual, whounfortunalely due to the distortions made bymaterialistic imperialism has started begging and borrowing alien ideas, thoughts, principles and systems, in gross violation of truth discharged by reality, so beautifully explained by the glorious Qur’an. We sincerely hope Islam will enable mankind to return to Allah’s straight path and His Divine Laws, the clue to a peaceful life full of harmony, virtue and happiness.

We earnestly invoke Allah the Merciful to help us enact His Laws and to follow His course. Allah is the Hearer of our humble invocations.

AL-BALAGH FOUNDATION

A DEFINITION OF LAW

If we contemplate the world around us, ourselves, the nature of our society as well as the texture of relations and events in our environment, we realize that everything in this existence is running according to a perfectly balanced system and exact calculation.

The Universe with its worlds of life. thought. society. etc. is by the nature of its existence, the way it moves and the correlations of its elements, subject to universal facts which organize its course, define its role and goal. and keep it active and efficient. It is motivated by the potent factor of Humanity. through langtiagc and its use, the sounds and their pronou nciations.the meditation and its ideas.the thought and the course of its movement, the will and the wa~ it acts, the self and its behaviour. and last but not the least, the instincts and their inclinations, response and expressions. All of these appear in the feelings of love and hatred that affect human conduct, relations and attitudes. resulting in peace and happiness or crime and tension in the society, as well as progress or the decline of civilization in the course of history.

They also appear in the fluctuations of usages as well as of demand and supply. Besides preserving the inherited physical and biological characteristics and the balance in their appearance and disappearance, they can be perceived in dispersion of the stars, atoms, heavenly bodies and cosmic clusters in their respective orbits.

All these human or cosmic phenomena in this universe, go on and on, in this world of matter, life and thought. They promote such changes as, biogeny, birth and extinction,join other elements, affect them or are influenced by them, as the case may be, in a limited manner or in certain specific ways of execution.

Such manners of execution. phenomena and the events. including perfectly systematic forms of heings are called ~The Law’.

Thus it is quite obvious that the necessity of the Law is a universal fact, required by every event, cause, phenomena and subject, be it natural or social.

So. under this universal and inevitable rule. Man’s activities, behaviour and social relations should he formulated within a legal frame in accordance with a specitic manner that would preserve his life, accomplish his humanistic objectives, show the nature of his constitution and plan the course of progress and relationship.

When these human relations in the fields of society politics, economy etc., are systematized in the lorni ofdefined rules, we call them laws, canons or regulations of Allah’. all of which come within the scope of religion and constitute a part of it. since the scope of religion is much wider thanjust to organize man’s external social relations. Actually, religion organizes man’s inner self too and morally builds it. It takes

I. Every Islamic rule is a law. BLIt we contznc this definition to the concept of law in the social arena, as the current technical terms go. The Islamic Laws or Canons are known in Arabic as Shari’a’. care of belief, devotional rites, and the individual’s personal activities, such as how to keep clean, to eat, to drink, to wear clothes, to think. etc.

Therefore. the Law could be defined as: “The principle which organizes human relations among individuals and groups. This covers all aspects of human life such as social. political, commercial, administrative, financial, family. inheritance work. laud transactions. etc.

It is. thus, obvious that the objective of the existence of the Divine Law is, to subject every manifest human activity and relation to a balanced and calculated frame of organization and discipline. In Islam. existence is not a confusion, absurdity or loss, as is evident by the following verses of the Qur’an:

“Deemed you thctm that We had created you frr itaught, and that you would not be returned to us?”

Sura A!-Mo’minun (23:115 )

“He has created erert’thitmg and has ordained for it a imieasure.”

Sura Al-Furqan (25:2)

“…And then’ is a measure us’ith Hi,,, for everthing.”

Sura AI-Ra’ad (13:8)

“... For each We hai’e appointed a law and a traced out war..”.

Sura AI-Ma’ida (5:48)

A DEFINITION OF LAW-MAKER

“Thea, when, yea warship besides His are bat asses which jw have aaueed,twa aadyearjfrthers. Allah has revealed  aatherlty for lbs. The jadgeseat rests with Allah only, Who has cessaaded yea that yea worship aeae Mve His. This is the right religion, bat most people do not knew.”

Sura Yusuf :(12:40)

“Stireli’ Your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, and He is firm in power. He covers the night with the dai’, which it persues incessantly: and (He created) the sun, the moon and the stars iiiade subservient bj His command. His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

Sura AI-A’raf (7:54)

If we contemplate and.scrutini7e the phenomena of this world, uncovering the secrets and depths of existence and examine the order governing beings. nature and society, we discover the natural connection between laws and ethics as well as the organization of relations between the individual and society on one hand, and the general and natural genesis that organizes nature and life on the other. Man thus, is seen as a universal being who needs like other natural parts of the universe. to be organized.

This unified look makes us realize that there is a common universal law to which man and other parts of the cistence arc subject.

This conscious and reflective look helps us to discover another important fact, that man and other beings of nature have a single common initiator, direction and goal.

Allah is the Initiator Who created the whole universe, the Director Who guides and organizes the creatures, and the Great Goal to which man and the universe are heading in their both compulsory and optional progress towards perfèctionea progress which is to be carried on according to every being’s degree of existence and potentiality of perfection.

Through this uniٌ ed thinking and analysis we realize that the whole universe, including mankind, is in need of a balanced law and order system, so as to organize man’s life on uatural and universal principles. These rules should he 1,1 harmony with his disposition. inborn characteristics and the elements of his existence and activities, as man is an important member of the greater organization of the Universal Family.

This conclusion leads us to believe that the One Who created the universe and life, and based existence on perfection, beauty, order and accuracy of the highest exactitude would not leave Man,a key member of the large universal family of existence, exempted from the progress of this general order of the universe. He would not let him deviate from the greatest goal of ex.istence, the goal of attaining perfection, pronouncing servitude to~ Allah, and proclaiming the truth of His Existence and Oneness.

Therefore, Man should get a clear vision of the Divine Law which organizes his life in accordance with human nature and disposition, through a suitable programme and a perfect course and order.

As Man was the only being that had the free will to choose, and to express his aims through conscious selection and voluntary dealings, Allah the Exalted, sent Messengers bearing His Laws to show Man the all embracing course and order that guides him to the final goal of existence,complete submission and servitude to Allah alone. This goal can only be accomplished by sincerely following the path of the Wise Creator, that is by adhering to His message brought by the strenuous efforts of His Messengers and Prophets.

By going through the Qur’anic verses, we get the gist of this idea, the idea of man’s need to be governed by a natural order. This is obvious.in the call of the Qur’an and in its address to Man, as is shown in this verse:

“Surely your Lord is Allah who created the heavens and the earth in six  periods of time, and He is  firm in power. He covers the night with the day,which it persues incessantly; and (He created) tile sun, tile moon and the stars made subservient by His command. His is hte creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

Sura AI-A’raf (7:54)

In this verse the Qur’an explicitly reminds us of the Divine Commandment over the entire existence, as well as the general organisation of the universe, thus placing Man within the frame of an orderly and coordinated existence and disclosing the common bond between Creation’ and Commandment,* thereby fixing the -principle of His supreme Lordship alone (which is sovereignty, management and guidance). This clearly confirms that it is not possible to separate Creation’ from Commandment’ (Genesis from Legislation). It is virtually impossible for Man to be isolated from the order of life chosen for him by his Creator, as it will upset the balance and cause him to deviate and his life to decline and decay.

The Qur’an refers to this - Genesis - Legislation’ relationship in an explicit expression:

“His is the creation attd the command. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”

Sura AI-A’raf (7:54)

“... The jttdge,nent rests with Allah only, Who has commanded ~on that you us’orship none sai’e Hi,,,. This is the right religion, bitt most people do not know.”

Sura Yusuf (12:40)

So, by bringing us to this conclusion, the Qur’an emphasizes the essence of the natural connection between Genesis and Legislation. We thus discover the important fact, of Taith and Thought’. that is. the One Who creates the beings, initiates their existence, assigns their goal and plans their constitutioni, Himself remains the real Director. designing for His creatures, the road of progress and the order of movement.

Several verses of the glorious Qur’an give prominence to this clear truth and enable us to perceive that the principle of ruling and command, or Law-making and Organizing, is not the responsibility of any one of the creatures. It is a matter wholly related to the Creator’s Will and Wisdom.

This is because Organizing and Legislating is a form of relationship between the Creator and His creatures. This relationship is practically a beautiful bond expressing servitude, or a state of complete subjugation between Man and his Lord.

So, any other party trying to organize human life and coining rules and laws to arrange the different individual and social activities, would mean sharing the power of legislation with Allah, the Almighty.

Attributing this authority (of legislation) to other than Allah would be a form of worship, submission and surrender to other than Allah*. That is why the glorious Qur’an draws our attention towards this grave conclusion and firmly rebukes man from committing this error.

“... The judgement rests with Allah only, Who has commanded you that you worship none save Him...”

Sura Yusuf (12:40)

The Qur’an accuses the Jews and the Christians who neglected Allah’s Laws and just system, and submitted to the desires of the Rabbis and the Priests, who coined their own laws and rules contrary to the Divine Command. The Qur’an reters to them as follows:

“Ther have taken as lords besides Allah their Rabbis and their Monks and (also) the Messiah son of Mary, when (her were bidden to worship one God. There is no god save Him; far from, His glory be what they ascribe as partners (unto Him)!’’

Sura AI-Tawba (9:31)

Interpreting the lordship of the Rabbis and Monks as stated in the above verse, the Imams (AS.) have said, that worship, here means the blind obedience of the Jews and Christians to the wills and desires of their leaders. who cleverly twisted the Divine Laws, to suit their own selfish interests.

lmam .Ja’far Al-Sadiq (AS.), asked about the meanint~ of the above verse, said:

“Br Allah, they did not ask to be worshipped. if they had asked the,,, to do so, they would not hai’e obeyed the,,,. Rut they (Rabbis at:d Monks) sanctioned the unlawful as lawful, and the lawful as unlawful, and thus they (the people), without perceiving, blindly (obeyed) worshipped them.”

The above is the actual meaning of the verses of the holy Qur’an. which clearly denounces the authority of law-making by any other than Allah. This deviation is disblief, abomination, injustice and ignorance. Those who legislate and make abnormal laws. distorting Divine Justice and Allah’s Will, are called tyrants and idol worshippers as the Qur’anic texts say:

“... Whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are thej’ that are the trculsgressors.”

Sura Al-Ma’ida (5:47)

“... Whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unjust.”

Sura AI-Ma’ida (5:45)

“…Whoever did not judge by what Allah revealed, those are they that are the unhelievers.

Sura AI-Ma’ida(5:44)

“Is it a judgenient of (the times ofl ignorance that they are seeking?And who is better thou .]hlah to judge frr a people who are sure ( in their belief ).?”

Sura AI-Ma’ida (5:50)

“Have you not seen those who assert that they behie~’e in ut’hat has been rem’ealed to you and what was revealed before ron? They desire to summon one another to the judgement of the Saw,,, though they ,t’cre commanded to deny hun, and the Satan desires to lead them astray into a remote error.”

Sura AI-Nisa (4:60)

Through the above verses of the holy Qur’an we realize that judgement means both legislation and la~wmaking. Thus the peoples’ adherance to the laws and the enacting of them, should not be against Allah’s will and command and should be regarded as an aspect of worship, and humanity should submit to Him alone.

ISLAM: THE UNIVERSAL LEGISLATION FOR MANKIND

From our aforementioned general and all-embracing look at the beings. including man, the following important lacts of this vast universe and life ëatl be inferred:

1. Unity of Origin- Allah. the Exalted.

2. Unity of Creation- comprising numerous parts.

3. Unity of Order- governing the Universe.

4. Unity of Goal- direction towards Allah.

Through this vision of unity and oneness, we come to realize the necessity of man’s submission and connection to this principle, the principle of the unity of Origin. Creation. Order and Goal. Man has but to enter the circle embracing the whole existence, and he will be in harmony with the Divine Religion which forms the Order and the Goal in the shape of laws which take in consideration all hi~ existence and diverse activities:

“And how have We set von (0 Muhammad) on a clear road of(Our) commandment; so follow it, and follow not the whims of those who know not.

Sura Al-Jathiya (45:18)

Will and Adherence

While discussing universal unity and the need for a natural canon for man to govern his activities, organize his relations and give shape to his personal contents in behaviour and action, we should make distinction between a voluntary adherence to that canon. and a compulsory and material submission to it.

Man is completely free, and has full power but in order to organize his social life he has to submit to this universal canon based on the nature of his existence. By accepting and this Divine Order. Man would be expressing his contents and the possibilities, activities, innovations. perfection and other symptoms of animation in ways adapted to his own free wifl.

In other words. Man can formulate his activities, by voluntary practice of this sound legislative plan and undertake an orderly construction of the framework of his life by charting its welfare and high objectives, among other things in the world.

This legislative plan should be a canon which coincides, in its principles and goals. with man’s inborn nature, feelings and needs, encompassing and organizing them all and providing him with prosperity and happiness.

The Islamic Canon is thus a legislative moulding of the laws of life and human nature. It. consequently. becomes:

“the record containing all the principles of organization and activity , because “it is the real uncovering of the code of life and the order of human existence. Allah. the Exalted, says:

“The nature made by Allah, in which He has made men; there is no altering (the laws) of Allah’s creation, that is the right religion, but most people do not know.”

Sura Al-Rum (30:30)

“He has made plaitm to you of the religion which He enjoined Noah, and that which We ha me revealed to you (Muhammad), and that which We enjoined up on Abraham,, and Moses and Jesus, that establish the religion and be not divided therein; dreadfulfor the unbelievers is that which you call thcmir lo, Allah chooses for Himself whom He pleases, and guides to Himself him who turns ( to Him) frequently.

Sura Al-Shura (42:13)

“This is My straight path, sofrllow it. Follow not ( other)ways, for they will lead you away from His way. This He has enjoined you, that you may guard (against evil).’’

Sura Al-An’am (6:153)

STAGES OF THE EXISTENCE OF LAW

The proof that Islam is the answer for mankind’s universal legislation, and that it is the formula uncovering the law of human nature, is based on the facts, that there arc in this human existence certain rules and regulations which govern and mould it. without which there would he nothing. except chaos, confusion, futility and corruption.

If we trace the stages of the appearance of Law and its role in human life we realize that like other natural laws it appears in three existing forms in this world, which are as follows:

I. The Objective Form: Human laws have an objective form which govern the mental, psychological and material being of man. It is a self- subsistent form, as are the natural material rules which govern the order of the world of matter in their reality, independence, correlation. arrangement of their results and efforts, etc. For example thinking’ has certain rules which it follows and has its own laws, rules and goals which control its movements. Likewise the whole human body composed of diverse parts. has its own laws, rules, goals and needs, which control its activities.

Similar are the social. economic and political relations which are also subject to their relevant rules and laws which affect their results.

2. The Scientific Form: This is the rational stage of the laws and facts which control human life. During this stage sciencc discovers these laws and derives I rom them their subjects, as we derive grammatical. physical and astronom cal rules from these very subjects and applications.

3. The Process of Formulating Laws: This is the process of the verbal construction ola form expressing the meanintts of the laws and their aims in words easily understood by Man. so that he may accordingly’ plan his life and organiie his individual and social conducts and activities.

Thus these three stages of legislation.in their true forms. arc possible onl fbr the Creator of the existence. Since He is the Creator of Man as well as the laws and regulations. and is fulls’ aware of every detail about their facts and truthfully expresses them. Llnlike a human being whose knowledge and ability is limited in discovering and defining the natural laws of life. Furthermore. Man cannot be regarded sincere and objective in his dealing with the laws. He falsifies them to suit his own selfish interests, or in the interests of other groups as the case may he. and thus he does not define legality in its scientific and objective forms.

There are nunierous examples proving this human frailty. For instance when Man discovered the harms of alcoholic drinks, adultery. usuarv trade monopolies and the like. he prohibited none of them in utter d~sregard to the proven scientific facts. On the contrary, he resorted to sophisticated means to conceal the actual truth.

Therefore, leaving the task ofjudgement and legislation to Allah alone is the only way of saving Man from doom. beau. Allah the Creator is the only One Who knows all the hidden secrets of mankind and lire:

“Does He not kaew what He created? And He is the Knower of the Subtleties, the Aware.”

Sura  Al-Mulk (67:14)

Allah alone is able to communicate what He wants to. by means of the best possible way understandable to mankind- the way of the prophets and the divine revelation to them. disclosed in explicit verbal forms that are clear in meaning and implication. This was actually what had been preached throughout the course of history by all the Divine Laws and Messages:

“And We did not send any Apostle, but with the language of his peaple, that he might make (the message) clear far them...”

Sura Ibrahim(14:4)

“... (This is) a boak  which we have revealed ta you (Muhammad) that you may bring forth men, by their Lets permission fram utter darkness into light-to the way af the Mighty. the Praised One.”

Sura  Ibrahim (14.1)

“Surely this Qur’an guides to that which is most upright and gives good tidings to the believers t’ho do good works that they shall have a great reward.”

Sura Al-lsra’ (17:9)

lmam Al-Sadiq (AS.) drawing our attention to these facts has rightly remarked:

“The Qur’an is a covenant of Allah to His creatures. A muslin, will hai’e to look into His covenant, and read from it fifty verses (at least) a day.” *

From this starting point, the Qur’an draws a picture of the nature of the Divine Law revealed through the Prophets, showing that it is the existential fact coinciding with the nature of the human -being. It also discloses to us the gross unfitness of other laws, rules or regulations (man-made), which vainly try to define life and its order, contrary to the nature of man and life, or in other words these laws are not applicable unless life and nature itself is changed. Thus we can safely conclude that this religion is the Divine decision that suits the nature and innate disposition of Man as well as its multi-sided construction, as Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Such has been the course of Allah that has indeed ruti btjirt aad yea shaM aat jlad a cheap Ia AUdit tweeze.”

SuraAI-Fath (41:23)

“And recite whet hes beta reveeied te yea ef the leekq’ year Lard; There It - wha cea titer His ward.,, ead yet shall nat jlad cay wfage besides Him.”

Sura Al-Kahaf(18.27)

“And the ward efyaar Lard has beta accomplished truly and justly; there is neat that eta cheap His wards and He is the Hearer, the Knawer.”

Sura.AI-An’am(6:115)

“Rather yet wish to put qaestleas ta year Messeager as Nests was qaestleaed befere? And whoever adepts unbelief instead of faith, he indeed has lost the right direction of the way.”

Sura Al-Baqara (2:108)

“And if the truth had followed their low desires, surely the heam’ens and the earth and all thosewho are therein would have been perished. Noy, We have brought to them their reminder, put from their reminder they now turn away.”

Sura Al-Mu’minun (23:71)

The above - mentioned verses of the Qur’an help mank,nd to perceive the truth, by clearing the mist of blindness from the eyes, and pushing aside from the intellect any doubts of illusion and ignorance, which would have misled Man to imagine that he is able to devise laws and canons according to his wishes and desires. It makes him realize that an off-hand and extempore law however minutely designed cannot solve his problems nor organize his diverse activities and individual and social relations, in harmony with his natural existence.

This is because Secular Laws are not based on rational foundations, nor have they a truthful reality behind them, except man’s imaginations and illusions.

For example if we ask the Secular Legislator: Why do you impose a fine or a year’s imprisonment for a certain crime? Is this penalty based on the basis of a strict balance and calculation such as that the punishment imposed, is ecjual to crime, according to the legislative equation? Did you study its graveness and its effect on I lie social rca lit. or its psychological reactioii. aiRi ale you Stile it will act as a restraint, and is a just decision keepiiw the balance among the parties concerned’? On what grounds did von build our decision. conclusion and penal tv [or this particular crime?

Should we put such questions to him, lie would not be able to give us sclentilical!~’ satisfvin~ answers, and we would conic to realize that lie talks nothing but nonsense. niakes laws without a n~’ ha Janice. or reasoiiahle argu mciit. completely unaware that h~’ doing so. lie is generating an artificial being in the svsteni of life. contrary to the logic of justice and contradicting the very principles of existence.

Such misfit laws, cause negative effects on humanity and upset the universal balance of truthfulness and justice oii whose very basis every truth in this world has been erected

“Allah bears witness that there is no god but He and (so do) the angels and those possessed of knowledge (too are witnesses) maintaining His creation with justice: there is no god but He, the Ahnighty, the Wise.”

Sura AaI-Imran (3:18)

“And if you obey most of those on earth they whould lead yon astray from Allah’s way. They follow but conjecture, and they only lie.”

Sura AI-An’ani (6:116)

A COMPARISON BETWEEN ISLAMIC LAW AND SECULAR LAW

It was not novelty in human life or the desire toestablish justice or order that prompted Man to make laws and rules. and coin ways of living and.organizing, because these were already in existence. The real cause was Man’s own selfish interest and tne desire to enslave his tellow- beings that made him to turn away from Allah’s Law, or to have any consideration for it.

Ever since the dawn of history, the tyrants and oppressors have ceaselessly tried to rebel against the will of truth and justice in this world, regardingthemselves as gods or god-heads to be worshipped, and their idols to be sanctified in the altar of despotism and tyranny.

Tracing the history of the origin of the laws which govern the life of society in its controlling positivity, we find that they all speak of the will of the ruler and express only his aims and interests in life. They are far from being in the peoples’ real interests, and the principles of right and justice. This is because the Secular Laws,’ in their reality, express nothing but the desire to enslave mankind, to serve the will of the oppressor and subdue humanity to the whims of the deviated rulers who either intentionally or unintentionally consider themselves as powerful gods or god-heads. Actually the desires ofthe rulers whichhavebeencoined as laws and rules thus tightening their grip on the people and their lives.

Whereas, on the other hand, it was the contrary in respect to the role of the Islamic Legislation, which sought to establish truth and justice, and to liberate Man from oppression, be kind to him, and protect his interests in life, as is evident from the following verse of the glorious Qur’an’

I. Secular Laws are the earthly laws coined to protect the interests of a tyrant or a particular class.

“Those who follow the Apostle-Prophet, the Ummi (one who neither reads nor writes) whom they find described in the Torah and the Gospel, (who,i enjoins them good and forbids them evil, and makes laps Jul for them all good things and unlawfuly for them the foul; and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so (as for) those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him; these it is that are the successful.”Sura AI-A’raf (7:157)

“And We have not sent you but as a mnercj for the creation.” Sura AI-Anbiya (21:107)

By studying these two verses one may easily rccot~iiizc that the aims and goals of Islam. dcflned by the Qur’an. are: liberation of Man. delivering him lroni darkness into the light, and guiding him towards the horiions oh truth and happiness.

If we try a fair, conscious and rational asscssrnent of the Islamic Laws and the Sccular Laws in their diverse forms and philosophies, such as Capitalism. Socialism. Communism and the like, which are offshoots of. ignorant thinkimz. we realize the most important differences which distinguish Islamic or Divine Laws from Secular or man-made Laws, and which define their respective identities and features are as follows:

I. CRITERION OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE

I. The Islamic Canon is based on the criterion of ~Truth and Justice’, the two constant values of life by which legislation and law-making are judged, and on whose basis their natures, values, effects, goals and coincidence with the great objective of existence, are estimated.

These two concepts are the foundation on which the entire Islamic Legislation is based. There is not a single law which is not backed by these two principles, as are the other facts of the universe.

By getting to know the meaning of Truth and Justice’ from the Islamic point of view, we are apt to discover the secret of their being the bases on which the Islamic laws are built:-

a. When a thing is True’, it.deserves a legitimate place n the life of society, as falsehood has neither place nor originality in Islam and is regarded as transient, unstable, an unjustified futility, and a worthless nothingness. Actually. falsehood is the inconsistent and negative course practiced by Man against the idea of Truth. For this reason the Qur’an rejects it as passing and vanishing, unable to occupy the place of truth or remain constant in the world of reality:

“Nay; We cast the truth against the falsehood, so that it breaks its head and lo; it vanishes. And woe to you for what you describe.”

Sura Al-Anbiya(21:13)

“And say: The Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away: Surely falsehood is ever bound to vanish.”

Sura AI-Isra (17:81)

Who is best suited tojudge. other than the Creator ofthe world and all beings whose knowledge encompasses everything, whether a thing- be it a canon or a subject- has the merit of coming into existence and occupying a space however small in this world.

Consequently. the Secular Law knowing no ‘Truthful’ or natural base proves to be false, transient, haphazard. accepting no noble values. irrationally formed, admitting no estimation, having no constancy, futile, and showing no justification for existence, except the will and desire of’ its maker.

So. the human legislator knows nothing about the status. value and effects of the law he is asked to legislate, as far as the facts and the objectives of existence are concerned.

Therefore, the glorious Qur’an describes this procedure on the part of Man as confusion, going astray, ignorance and forgery, and condemns this act of the ignorant Man who undertakes the responsibility of law-making.

“And do not mix up the truth with falsehood, nor hide the truth whi1e yon know ( it).”

Sura A I- Baqara (2:42)

“Those are they for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the fire, and what they wrought in it shall go for nothing, and vain is what they do.”

“Is he (to be counted equal with them) then who has with him clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him recites it, and before it(is) the Book of Moses a guide and a mercy? These believe in it; and whoever of the (different)parties disbelieves in it, the fire is his appointed place. So do not be in doubt concerning it, surely it is the truth from your Lord; but most people do not believe.”

Sura Hud (11:16.17)

Then the Qur’an further stresses the objective of the Divine Law and its role in defining truth’ and dismissing the schemings of the straying human soul which intrudes on the truth a false and vain course and law:

“That He might cause the truth to triumph and bring vanity to naught, however much the guilty might oppose .”

Sura AI-Anfal (8:8)

“And with truth have We revealed it , and  truth did it come...”

Sura Al- Isra’ (17:105)

b. The second criterion, on which the Islamic Legislation is based, is Justice’. It is the balance by which everything is weighed, and evaluated. Justice’ is to put everything in its proper place, and to give to everybody his due or what he deserves

Islam says that it is just to implement whatever is true. and it is unjust and transgressive not to do so.

Justice’ is Allah’s sacred attribute which puts its initials on His acts and is a sign of His mercy, including the Law which He sent down to all humanity. Therefore, the concept of Justice in the Qur’an is the basic principle behind all of Allah’s deeds, whether creative or legislative.

The glorious Qur’an refers to this principle ofthe Islamic Legislation in different terms, such as: the balance, equity. justice, straight criterion, etc.

Allah the Almighty says:

“Surely Allah enjoins the doing ofjustice and kindness (to others~ and giving to kinsfolk, and he forbids lewdness, and evil and rebellion. He admonishes you in order that von mar take heed.”

SuraAl-Nahl (16:90)

“Surely Allah commands von to make orer trusts to their owners, and that when you judge between mankind you judge with justice:surelv Allah admonishes you t’ith what is excellent; surely Allah is Hearing, Seeing.”

Sura Al-Nisa (4:58)

“And when they commnit some lewdness they say: Wefrtuid our fathers doing this and Allah has enjoined it on us. Say: Surely Allah, does not, enjoin lewdness. Do you say against Allah what you do not know?”

“Say: My Lord has enjoined justice, and set upright your faces, (towards Him) at every time of prayer and call on Him, being sincere to Him f’onl.j) in obedience; as He brought you forth into being, so shall von also return (to Him).”

Sura Al-A’raf (7: 28,29)

“And We will set lip a just balance on the Day of Resurrection, so no soul shall be dealth with unjustly in the least; and though there be the weight of a grain of mustard seed, (yet) will We bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.”

Sura AI-Anbiya’ (21:47)

The Qur’an not only lays stress on justice but it also condemns injustice and resents it in several erscs. attackine the wrong- doers and threatening them with torture and curse as is clear lrom the examples given below:

“... Those who waving shall haew by what a (great) irvine they will be evertaraed:

Sura Al-shu’ara (26:227)

“The Day en which their excuse shall not benefit the unjust, and fer the is cane, and fer thea. is the evil abede.”

Suna AI-Mu’min (40.52)

Islam. thus. regards justice as the foundation on which everythitIg in life should be based. Wa salon ktitno law is ~ight.uflless it is brined on the idea ~Ejustice. Jti,iticdtes the subject ot’the law its value tail

ttgard.sbôtingltII rightful position in respect to other thitijs pnd events. Divine Legislation is therefore exact and balanced. with no loss and Ito injustice.

The Secular Laws sadly lack such noSe ~tlues and criterions (Truth andifisllce)in their objective form and teal natUre. This is because they do riot hints tonstant. distinct and real idda about the concept of Justice..

It looks at it with a look subjected to the nature of the situations and the subjective human estimations. Thus. the toneept of Truth and Justice’ was merely turned into a human consideration, under the mercy of the law-gives’ desires and whims. Consequently. Secular Law is deprived from the most important bases and criterions.

2. OBJECflVITY

The objecti’ity of the IslamicLegislation is concentrated in its being free from the intrusion of personal interests of desires and the subconscious factors, which may quite possibly. knowingly or unknowingly affect the human lawmaker and participate in the rnakinsz of his decisions, and his laws. Human knowledge and faculties are influenced by factors of environment. lie redi ty and personal characteristics, as has been proved by psychological and Social studies. This fact has also beendiscovered by all those who subjected the Secular Laws and man-made caiions to analytical studies. It was obvious that they had been influenced by the environment. circumstances. psvchologica I and social situations and the law-makers~personal interests and emotions. Thus  as a matter of fact. such laws carry the symptoms of the diseases prevalent in the society. and actually express the will of the rulers, as these laws can easily be affected by the legislator’s desires and inclinations.

The Islamic Canon. on the other hand, is scientific. objective. honest and far from being under the influence of the motives and factors which determine man-made laws. The true law-giver, here, is Allah. the Exalted. Who is glorified from all those inclinations and impressions from which Man can never completely and absolutely be free. This is the secret of the construction of the Div inc Law. which is based on “Truth and Justice , and its aim is only the welfare of humanity and its noble objectives in life.

3. CLARITY OF VISION

The Islamic Law or the Islamic Canon. which is Divinely revealed has a clear objective, and a defined goal, that charts out Man’s course in life, and shows him his aim, and Man realizes that the goal of the Divine Law is to have him serve his Creator, and be liberated from all servitude and submission to human beings. Consequently, his lawful actions which he practices durintt his life entitle him to a lair reward in the Hereafter, unlike the Secular Law, under whose shadow Man would feel heini~ tied with the fetters of the ruling authority which has no obvious objective eccept that which serves the interests of the governing clan and its ambitions-a state which should urge Man to fight such laws and get rid of them .

Man, under such laws, suffers from the anguish of confusion and without any distinct goal in life. He linds no sense in adhering to a law but only to a low but only to an extent which affords him a limited and spontaneous objective. or spares him the penalty imposed by the government on those who disobex its laws. Such laws cannot cope with the needs of the human soul, nor can they e spress his lawful ambitions in life.

That is why the individual under the grip of this law does not respect its regulations sincerely and tries to break through its bonds whenever opportunity affords him the chance. the eve of the authority’s watchman dozes off, or when he realizes the triviality of the law which does not deserve to be obeyed.

This fact is supported by the statistics issued by the quarters concerned with criminology and instances of lawbreaking. They say that theٌ gures for crimes are ever increasing, and the number of those who break the law is growing every’ year. proving the fact that the Secular Law is incapable of solving Man’s problems and inspiring respect and obedience from him.

On the other hand the Islamic Laxv encourages Man to apply it sincerely and defend the will of the law and its objectives.

This is because the individual under the shelter of the Islamic Law feels that the law protects his interests and cares for his objectives both in this world and in the Hereafter.

Faith lnsplns t~ic faithful Muslim that lie is responsible before his Creator for enacting the will of the law and carry out its decisions sinccrcly.

Thus, juding from this ideological and rational point. the Islamic Law acquires a spiritual power and a moral drive enabling at to he applicable and its aims to he attainable more than if it depended on force and compulsion.