The Purpose of Shariah

The Purpose of Shariah

Assalamu alaykum,

Today, I am going to share with you a few verses from the Qur’an that set out the purpose of the Shari‘ah, or the law Allah has given us to guide the individual and the collective. I will make the case, which will be controversial, that the Shari‘ah is orientated towards humanitarian goals rather than political goals and its laws aim to create just societies rather than Islamic-looking societies.

I am indebted to the explanation of these verses given by Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi, who points out the nuances in the Arabic words that yield these insights. I will explain as I read Yusuf Ali’s translation.

In Surah Al-Jum‘ah, chapter 62, verse 2, Allah says:

It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs [ayātihi], to sanctify them [wa yuzakkīhim], and to instruct them in Scripture [al-kitab] and Wisdom [al hikmah],- although they had been, before, in manifest error;1

In Surah Al-Baqarah, chapter 2, verse 129 Allah tells us about Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) prayer as he is building the Ka‘ba:

“Our Lord! send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall rehearse Thy Signs [ayātika] to them and instruct them in scripture [al-kitāb] and wisdom [al-hikmah], and sanctify them [we yuzakkīhim]: For Thou art the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”

In Surah Al-A‘lā, chapter 87, verse 14, Allah says:

But those will prosper who purify themselves (Q87:14)2

Amongst the Arabs of the Hejaz, very few people knew how to write. Only important things were written down so they could be referred back to. In the verses above, Allah mentions al-kitab, something written down, something documented. According to Maulana Islahi, al-kitab is the scripture or the law. Whilst some scholars use the word Shari‘ah to refer to all law, including fiqh law developed by our jurists, it is better to think about Shari‘ah as revealed law or divine law. Allah is therefore telling us that He has revealed the ayāt (signs or revelation) to His messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) who will rehearse and explain this revelation. The revelation’s aim is to sanctify or purify us individually and collectively. The revelation includes instructions – al-kitab – the law. And it includes wisdom – al-hikmah, or the rationale for the law. Together, these aspects of revelation guide us so we can find salvation, for salvation lies in purifying ourselves - tazakka (Q87:14).

Let’s now build on this insight.

In the last blog, I set out the case that the concept of charity in Islam is inclusive and universal. As Muslims we must extend support to all those who are facing hardship. Today, I set out the case that the goal of Islam is to create better people and better societies that are just, charitable and inclusive; societies orientated towards morality and decency; societies that elevate the most vulnerable.

Sadly, political versions of Islam have reduced the Shari‘ah to a top-down imposition on societies. It has reduced it to divisive ideas of distinctiveness. We argue over forms of punishment and forms of dress. In contrast, the Qur’an centres the noble goal of tazkiya, a spiritual, social, moral and political transformation that can create just societies where trusts and pledges are kept and where people do not go to sleep hungry.

The key reflection for today is this.

The Qur’an tells us that following the guidance from Allah will purify us and make us better people – compassionate, connected, charitable, able to rise above myopic issues, able to take in the pain and suffering of all human beings. The main goal of divine law is not to make Muslims look Muslim, to impose austerity and harshness, to shroud women in black and take their voices away, to force the community to walk back into the past and implement medieval forms of punishment. The goal of al-kitab and al-hikmah is to create morally sound, compassionate and just individuals and societies – wa yuzakkīhim.