O Level Islamiat P1 Holy Quran for Legal Matters
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Quran for Legal Matters
Islamic law is based on true sources of Divine revelations of Quran and the Sunnah. The laws contained in these two sources are primary laws which cannot be changed at any time. It is described in the Holy Quran.
“We have revealed to you the Book in truth, so that you may judge between people by whom Allah has shown you, so be not a pleader for the dishonest”.
The following examples tell us how the Book of Allah guides us in deciding the matters in the light of Islamic laws.
1. Marriage:
It is the basis of Islamic family. A good and sound society can grow only if a man and woman are bound in a pure relation to the the sacred contract of marriage. The Holy Quran guides us on, which marital relations are lawful and which are forbidden.
“Marry not the women whom your father married, except what has already passed. Surely, this was an indecency, a hateful act and an evil way”.
Again it is said in the Holy Quran
“Forbidden to you in marriage are your mothers, your own daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunt, your maternal aunts, brothers and sisters, daughters, your foster mothers who have suckled you, your foster sisters, your mother in law, your step daughters who are under your guardianship and the wives of your sons who are from your own blood and you to take two real sisters together except what has already passed, Surely, Allah's Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
2. Dower.
Paying dower money to one‟s wife is an obligation to marriage. It is said in the Holy Quran.
“Also forbidden in marriage are women, already married to others except those disbelievers, war-captive women under your control such‟ is Allah's decree of you besides them, others are lawful for your, you may seek them with, your wealth for wedlock and not for lust then for a good life, give them their doweries as settled. There is no blame, upon you about whatever you have mutually agreed after the fixation of the dower, Allah is certainly aware and wise”.
3. Divorce
To divorcing one's woman is not a favourable option in Islam, although, it is permissible, but it is undesirable, still sometimes the couples do not live in peace. Under such circumstances, one has to resent to divorce then Allah has issued commandments.
“Divorce is pronounced twice then after that the woman must be retained in all decency or parted off with kindness. It is not lawful for husbands to take back any thing they had given them except when both fear that they will not keep within Allah's limits. Then, there is no blame on any of them if she pays some compensation to get divorce. Such are Allah's bounds so do not exceed them. Those who exceed Allah's bounds are indeed the wrong doers.”
It is said in the Holy Quran.
“Then if he divorces her finally, she shall not be lawful to him afterwards till she marries some other then he (as Halalah).
“Then if he too divorces her, there is no blame on any of the two if they return to one another provided they both think that they can maintain Allah‟s bounds. He explains them to people who understand”.
4. Adultery
Retaining one's purity is an obligatory duty in the eyes of Allah so none should commit it. The Holy Quran says,
“Flog both the adulterous man and adulterous woman, a hundred lashes. If you believe in Allah and the Last Day, let not pity for them, have a group of believers witness the punishment of both of them.”
The Holy Quran says,
“Do not go near adultery, surely it is obscenity and an evil way”.
5. Abortion
Islam forbids abortion, the Holy Quran says, “Kill not your children in the dread of poverty; we provide for both, killing them is a great blunder, indeed.”
6. Written agreement
Some complications arise when one conducts a serious business with somebody and documentation is ignored. In Quran, there are rules on this issue so that we might not fall into any doubts.
“Oh believers! When you contract a debt for a fixed period, then write it down, let some scribe write down between you justly. Let the borrower dictate. He should not omit any part of it. If the borrower is weak minded then let his guardian dictate it in all fairness. Call to evidence two witnesses from among them as folk if two men are not available then one man and two women out of such witnesses as you approve so that if one of the two should slip up the other reminds her. Let not the witnesses refuse when they are summoned. Fear Allah, Allah teaches you, Allah is aware of everything”.
7. Blood money of Fidya
It is in the Holy Quran,
“O believers! Compensation for the murdered is prescribed for you. A free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, a female for a female;”
But if anyone is pardoned in anyway for it by his brother, then let it be persued according to custom and payment of blood money, made in a good manner. This is a concession from your Lord and a mercy, who so exceeds the limit after that will have a painful punishment”.
8. Theft
If a person is caught stealing the punishment for such a crime is mentioned in Quran,
“As for a thief, male or female, cut off their hands as a penalty for whatever they have earned and an exemplary punishment from Allah, Allah is Mighty wise”.
9. Lawful Food
The animals slaughtered by Muslims are pure and lawful -- As Allah says.
“This day all good things have been made lawful for you. Your food is lawful for them. Eating unlawful food under compulsion (when one‟s life is threatened is excused).
As Allah says,
“Indeed, He has only forbidden you the blood, swine flesh and that upon which any name other than Allah has been invoked. Yet anyone who is forced by necessity without willful disobedience, not transgressing the limits will find that Allah indeed, is Forgiving and Merciful”.
10. Usury
An Islamic economy is free of interest. Islam prohibits all transactions involving interest. Interest is a means of exploitation and concentration of wealth. It is in the Holy Quran,
Those who swallow usury will stand up only like the one who stands up whom devil has deranged by touch. That is because, they say, “Trading is also just like usury. Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury.
It is said,
"O believers! Fear Allah, Forego whatever remains of usury if you are really faithful”
11. Inheritance
If a person dies and leaves behind wealth for his children it must be divided up among his heirs according to some rules and regulations. Allah says,
“Allah decrees you concerning your children. A son will have a share equivalent to that of two daughters. If the females left behind are more than two, then for them is two third of the inheritance. But if there is only one female then to her a half. If that deceased leaves behind one child then to each one of his parents, a sixth of what he leaves behind, But if the deceased has no child and his heirs are his parents then one third to his mother. If he has brothers, then to his mother one sixth. All their property division shall be affected after the payment of any wills or debts. You do not know which of your parents and children are more profitable to you. So these (settled portions) are ordained by Allah. Surely Allah is aware. “Wise” Islam has given women a right to inheritance. She has a part in the property of her dead father, husband or children-less brother. It is said in the Holy Quran.
“Males have a share in whatever parents and near relatives leave behind while females also have share in whatever parents and near relations leave behind. Be it small or large, it is a share stipulated by law.”
12. Hoarding
To discourage people from hoarding, Holy Quran says,
“Let not those who are miserly with any of His bounty, Allah has granted them, consider that it is good for them. It is rather worse for them. They shall have a collar of their niggardliness on their necks on Resurrection Day. To Allah belongs the heritage of Heavens and Earth, Allah is fully informed of whatever you do”.
We as Muslims should follow the footsteps and principles of Quran as it is the major and primary source of shariah. Following these we can more to wards Heavens.
