O Level Islamiat P1 Themes of Holy Quran, Ijma, Qiyas, & their Relation with Holy Quran
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Themes of The Holy Quran
Tauheed
Oneness & unity of Allah
Allah says, “Certainly in the alteration between night and day and whatever Allah has created in Heaven and Earth, there are signs for the people who are pious."
The divine attributes of Allah are given in Surah Al-Ikhlas. “He is Allah, the One, Allah is self-sufficient. He rejects none nor He is begotten. None is equal to Him!”
Prophethood
It is described in the Holy Quran that Allah had sent Prophets, for showing the straight path to humans. Belief in all Prophets is obligatory for earning Divine pleasure. The characteristics of the Prophets had been mentioned in the Holy Quran. It is said,
“Such are the ones whom we gave the Book, the authority and the Holy Prophethood so, if such people should disbelieve in it, then we will entrust it to the other people who will not disbelieve in it”.
There are stories of Biblical figures but often in the form different from that of Hebrew Scriptures. It also contains stories of figures unknown to Bible.
Means of guidance
Allah has stated that divine guidance depends on acting upon the Quran. Allah's message is not meant for one class or race. It is a universal message and is addressed to all the worlds. No one is excluded from this message whether rich or poor, old or young, great or low, learnt or ignorant. It is said,
“This divine Book is nothing but a reminder for the universe. Useful for everyone of you who wishes to go straight”.
News of Unseen
It contains the news of things which are beyond the comprehensions of human beings, Allah, the angels, the life after death as well as description of day of Judgement, Heaven and Hell are significant
Quranic themes righteous, pious, prosperous and bearers of good conduct in the eyes of Allah as such as have faith in the unseen. It is said,
“God fearing are those who believe in the unseen.”
Worship
The Holy Quran forces Muslims to perform acts of worship for the sake of Allah. The ritual prayer is a chief form of service. Many verses remind Muslims the significance of constant prayers and they give directions about the particulars of service as well. It is said in the Holy Quran.
“Guide us along the straight path”
Manners
On the other hand Holy Quran instructs us to lead a spiritual life turning to Allah. It contains injunctions on moral and social issues. Understanding general problems of life occupies a large portion of the revelation. There are manners about entering the houses, sitting in a community and behavior in the
assemblies.
Human rights
The Quranic teachings govern the lives of individuals and communities, spiritual social, moral and legal matters guide us, how to lead our lives successfully. The Holy Quran is the greatest champion of human rights and values. The Holy Quran says,
“On the account, we prescribe for the people of Israel and if anyone kills a person, unless it be for a man slaughter or for the mischief on earth, it would be as if he has killed the entire mankind. If anyone saved a life, it will be as if he had given life to the entire mankind”.
Laws
The Holy Quran is a comprehensive book of character and conduct; it explains clearly the laws concerning the treaties, slaughter, trust, trade, oaths, marriage inheritance, divorce and traffic. Allah says, in the Holy Quran,
“Do not make Allah‟s names in your oaths, a hindrance to you become, a virtuous, pious and peace making between people. Allah is All known. He will not take you to task for any senseless talk in your oaths, but He will take account of what ever your heart has earned. Allah is Forgiving and For bearing."
Ijma (Consensus of Opinion)
It is the assembly which is one of the principles of Islamic law. It is regarded as the 3rd source of Shariah. The Holy Quran says, “Ijma is an agreement of an Islamic community on a religious point. It is defined as a unanimous agreement of the jurists of the community of a particular age (period) on a certain issue. Ijma is a secondary and minor source.
The Holy Prophet(S) consulted his companions on all matters that were not concerned with religion. Allah commanded him to do that
Allah says,
“Take council with them, in the conduct of the affairs”.
During the Uhad battle, the Holy Prophet (S) consulted with his companions and decided with the opinion of the majority to fight the battle outside Medina though he personally was against it “During the battle of Trench, he had the trench dug around Medina on the suggestion of Hazrat Salman Farsi by Ijma. The consensus may either be Azimah or Rukhsah Azimah is when the Mujtahideen have spoken with one another concerning the opinions in question or acted according to it.
Rukhsah is when some scholars have discussed or acted according to an opinion and the rest have kept silent although, the matter has been communicated to them and there has passed enough time for consideration.
After the attainment of Ijma on a point further controversy is barred. There are three foundations of Ijma.
Ittifaq i. Qawli
Unanimous consent expressed in the declaration of opinion.
Ittifaq i. Faili
Expressed in unanimity of practice.
Ittifaq i. Sakut
When the majority of the mujtahideen signified their tactics to the opinion of majority by silence or non-interference.
There are 3 kinds of Ijma
- Ijma of companions
- Ijma of jurists
- Ijma of Muslim Ummah
The compilation of the Holy Quran in the period of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) on the suggestion of Hazrat Umar was done by the Ijma of the companions. It was compiled in a book form.
During the time of Holy Prophet(S) there was only one Azaan for Friday prayers but during the caliphate of Hazrat Usman (RA) Madina had expanded considerably and the Azaan could not be heard because of the noise in the markets. Therefore it was decided after Ijma of the companions that another call should be given.
The Holy Prophet(S) performed the Taraweeh prayers only 3 or 4 times during congregation in the life time. It was late during the rule of Hazrat Umar (RA) that the system of congregation of Taraweeh prayer was added after Isha Prayers.
Qiyas (Analogy)
It is the fourth foundation of Islamic law. It is the use of human reasoning to compare an existing situation with one for which the legislation already exists. If a problem arises, which none of these have dealt directly, but when the scholars try to find a law in any of them, which has a similar cause and classify the problem in the same manner. Iman Abu-Hanifa was the first to adopt this method for formulating laws.
The Holy Quran says,
“There are signs in this for people who understand”.
Qiyas is a secondary and minor source
The Holy Prophet said “judge upon the book of Allah” if you do not find in it what you need, upon the Sunnah of the Prophet (S), if you do not find in that also, then use your personal opinion”
It is a verse of the Holy Quran,
“Take warning, then, O! you with eyes (to see)”
Pillars of Qiyas are:
- Asl (Root) - the original subject against which the new subject is compared e.g. wine drinking.
- Far (Branch) - The new subject which is the object for analogy (e.g taking narcotic drugs).
- Illa (cause) - The cause which brings together the original subject and the new subject for Qiyas (intoxicating effects).
- Hukm (Rule) - The rule arrived by Qiyas (Prohibition)
Allah has forbidden alcoholic drinks, it is said in the Holy Quran,
“O! believers, intoxicants, gambling, drawing arrows and altars are only devils filthy work. Turn aside from it so that you may prosper”
There are four conditions of Qiyas:
- The practice upon which it is founded must be of common application.
- The cause must be the compelling factor, i.e idea intended by the Shariah. It should also be apparent, complete in itself and not hidden or ambiguous.
- The decision must be based on either the Quran!, Hadith or Ijma.
- The decision arrived at must not be contrary to anything declared elsewhere in the Quran and Hadith.
Relationship of the Holy Quran with Ijma, Qiyas & Hadith
Relationship of the Holy Quran with Ijma
- Ijma is one of the principles of Islamic law.
- Ijma is an agreement of the Islamic community on religious issues.
- The jurists have based the work on consensus upon Quranic and Sunnah texts as well as upon reasoning. Ijma is referred to when no explicit instructions concerning an issue can be found in Quran or Sunnah.
- In Islamic history, Ijma has been a natural method of solving many problems through the gradual formation of the consensus of the Muslims.
- The concept of Ijma has also been given by a number of Quranic verses.
- There are three kinds of Ijma: Ijma of companions, Ijma of Jurists and Ijma of Muslim Ummah.
- E.g. Taraweeh prayers were made compulsory with Isha prayer by Hazrat Umer (RA).
Relationship of the Holy Quran With Qiyas
- Literally, Qiyas means measuring or ascertaining in length, weight or quality of something.
- In religious terminology, Qiyas is the analogical reasoning of the learned with regards to teachings of Quran, Hadith and Sunnah.
- When a problem arises on which the Quran, Sunnah and Ijma are silent, the jurists then try to make law in the light of the teachings of anyone of the above three sources.
- The Holy Quran urges human beings to grasp the truth and respond the call of Allah (SWT) by using the faculties of reason and perception.
- E.g Drugs / Wine are forbidden in Islam.
Relationship of Quran with Hadith
- The Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) help us understand the Quranic verses easily and clearly.
- The Quran instructs us to obey and follow the instructions and commandments of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
- The life of the Holy Prophet is a role model for us. His life was a practical example of the demonstration of Quranic teachings.
- E.g. It is in the Holy Quran, “Cut the hands of the thief”. Hadith completes it as, “Right hand uptil the wrist”.
