Purposes of Islamic Law (2/2)

D. Protection of Progeny

Sexual reproduction is the means that keeps human species in existence, and for that reason, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) creates the sexual impulse in both sexes. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) calls humans to keep their progeny by forming families through marriage, which Islam considers is the only lawful way of having children and maintaining our species.

Islam encourages marriage and states its rules, restraints, and duties in a perfect social system, which organizes the relationships between the husband and wife and among the family in general. Islam also imposes a number of duties on the parents towards their children, among these are to raise and educate them well, to care for them, to meet their needs, and many other things, which are the requirements of ideal parent-hood.

In addition, Islam forbids aggression on the child by burying him/her alive or by intentional abortion, and considers it a great sin. “Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 31).

In order to protect the family, Islam forbids adultery, any other shameful deeds, and whatever leads to these deeds; such as the mixing of men and women. “Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 32).

In addition, Islam imposes the wearing of a veil for women in front of strange men to avoid seduction and sexual desire, for in Islam; women are precious jewels protected from being trifled with, misuse, and abuse. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 59).

E. Protection of Property

Property is the mainstay of life, and Islam considers it as Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), which He makes man a guardian over it, and allows him/her to earn them in lawful ways and use them moderately.

Islam encourages work, production, and earning money and other property by lawful means. “It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Mulk, 67: 15).

In this regard, the Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) awakens the Muslims’ desire to work, and considers work as worship that brings the person closer to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala). He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “No earning is better that what the person earns from his own work, and whatsoever the man spends (in lawful matters) on himself, his wife, his children, his family and his servant is charity.” [1]

Once, the Prophet’s (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) companions noticed the activeness and the hardworking of a man, they asked the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying, “We wish that his hard work was for the cause of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala).” Prophet Mohammad (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied, “If he did so to care for his children, his old parents, or for himself (In lawful deeds), it is for Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) cause, and if he did so for pride and hypocrisy, then it is for Satan’s cause.” [2]

There are two types of earnings, one is pleasant, and the other is noxious. The pleasant earning is the substance that one earns in lawful ways, such as trading, manufacturing, agriculture, and public and private employment. “O ye who believe, Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 172).

The noxious earning is the property that one earns in exploitive ways, such as lending money with interest, bribes, tricks, and trading in goods that are harmful to humanity. “And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 188).

In this regard, Islam has a comprehensive principle. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure).” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-A’raf, 7: 157)

Thus, any earning that does not harm the person who earns it or others is a lawful and pleasant, and the remainder of the earnings are noxious and forbidden.

Islam also guides how to spend money correctly. It does not allow one to spend as he/she wishes. Squandering and spending without control and Neglecting paying the rights of the poor, are satanic deeds. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Isra’, 17: 26 - 27).

These properties are Allah’s (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) giving and means that He made us as heirs and guardians to use them for lawful purposes, and the greatest deed among these lawful deeds is to spend and give charity to the poor and the needy. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says, “Give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you.”(Holy Quran, Surah An-Nur, 24: 33).

“And spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward.” (Holy Quran, Surah Al-Hadid, 57: 7).

Islamic Laws and instructions protect these five essentials, which are important human rights. Whomsoever considers and practices them, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will reward him/her with happiness in this life and the hereafter. Whomsoever ignores and turns away from them; will face misery and punishment on the Day of Judgment. “Whosoever follows My Guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery. But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment. He will say: "O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)? (Allah will say): "Thus didst Thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, disregard them: so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded.” (Holy Quran, Surah Ta-Ha, 20: 123 - 126).