God’s Bounty
All bounties endowed by God to mankind are to enable them to exercise their role in this life as the vicegerent on earth. Exercising this role means they are put to the test. God says: “He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth” (2:29). And says: “And He has disposed for you whatever is in the heavens, and whatever is in the earth, all being from Him. Surely in that there are signs for a people who reflect” (45:13). And then He explains: “Truly, We have made all that exists on earth as an adornment for it that We may try them which of them is best in conduct” (18:7).
But God is Merciful and Forgiving; He reminds all human beings to reflect upon themselves, so that they may repent, so He also said: “And if you were to count God’s grace, you could never reckon it. Indeed God is Forgiving, Merciful!” (16:18). In another Surah God says: “Say (that God declares): O My servants who have been prodigal against their own selves, do not despair of God’s mercy. Truly He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. And turn (penitently) to your Lord and submit to Him, before the chastisement comes on you, whereupon you will not be helped- And follow the best of that has been revealed to you from your Lord before the chastisement comes on you suddenly while you are unaware, before any self should say: Alas for me for what I have neglected of my duty to God. Indeed I was among those who ridiculed, or (before) that it should say, if only God had guided me, I would have been among those who were God-conscious persons” (39:53-57).
Islam condemns all forms of life-denying asceticism, world-renunciation, and self-mortification. The Qur’an declares that all good and beautiful things in life – which are not prohibited – are lawful to the believers. All those good things are shared by believers and unbelievers alike, but will be denied to the unbelievers in the Hereafter. God says: “O children of Adam! Take on your adornment at every mosque. Eat and drink but do not be excessive; He truly does not love those who are excessive. Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of God, which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of (God’s) sustenance? Say: They are for the believers during this worldly life (though shared by others), while they are purely for them on the Day of Resurrection. This how We elaborate the verses for people who understand” (7:31-32).
Although the orders and the interdictions in the Qur’an are made for the believers, yet there are certain verses which are directed to all mankind, as the following: ”O mankind, eat of what is in the earth, lawful and wholesome; and follow not the steps of Satan; he is a manifest foe to you” (2:168).
Most edible things are lawful for the believers to take as their food, as God says: “So eat of the lawful and good food which God has provided you, and be thankful for God’s grace, if it is Him that you worship. He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been hallowed to other than God. Yet whoever is compelled, neither craving nor transgressing, then truly God is Forgiving, Merciful” (16:114-115).
Bounds to be watched
For God’s servants to stay steadfast following the Right Path, God has revealed ordinances to be followed, guidance and bounds not to be transgressed. Since individuals are obliged to deal with each other in the society where they live, then justice is very important. For this reason God gives the guidance as follows: “O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over (the claims of) either of them. So do not follow any whim, lest you swerve, for if you twist or refrain, surely God is ever aware of what you do” (4:135). And in another verse in the Qur’an: “O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone leads you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do” (5:8).
The Limits
Because God has made all what is in the heavens and in the earth to be used, and societies to be organized by human beings, these bounds are necessary and fundamental.
The main principal of these bounds is that all what is good is permissible and all what is evil is prohibited.
There is one ayat (verse) in the Qur’an, which sums up orders three at a time and interdictions three at a time: “Indeed God enjoins justice and the excellence (in behavior and deeds) and to be generous to kinsfolk; and He forbids lewdness, and abomination, and oppressive attitudes; He exhorts you may be mindful” (16:90).
Another Islamic principle is that if something is prohibited, then all what leads to it is likewise prohibited. It means that Islamic Law intends to block all avenues leading to what is prohibited. For example with prohibiting sexual intercourse outside lawful marriage, it has also prohibited anything which leads to it or makes it attractive, like seductive clothing, private meetings and casual mixing between man and woman, the deception of nudity, pornographic literature, obscene songs, and so on.
At the same time, Islam has encouraged lawful marriage; God says: “Arrange the marriage of the spouseless among you, and the capable from among your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, God will enrich them out of His bounty. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing” (24: 32).
We can understand from this hadith, that there are things or matters, which are halal (lawful), and others haram (unlawful). But others again are doubtful, not known to most people. Only knowledge can ensure a person whether this matter is halal or haram. Yet beyond knowledge there is another factor, which can ensure a person to remain in the area of halal, and that is the state of his heart. If his heart is good, then he will decide to take the safe-side and avoid what is haram (prohibited). And if his heart is bad, then even the knowledge is of no benefit to him and he will indulge in what is illegal.
All bounties endowed by God to mankind are to enable them to exercise their role in this life as the vicegerent on earth. Exercising this role means they are put to the test. God says: “He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth” (2:29). And says: “And He has disposed for you whatever is in the heavens, and whatever is in the earth, all being from Him. Surely in that there are signs for a people who reflect” (45:13). And then He explains: “Truly, We have made all that exists on earth as an adornment for it that We may try them which of them is best in conduct” (18:7).
When we talk about
permissible and prohibited things, it is not only about food and drink, but
also includes belief, intention, behavior and action. Then this test covers all human conducts. And
such a job could only be given to beings, which are given superior dignity
(with the faculty of knowing, the capability of inventing and having a certain
free will), and who are prepared to take the responsibility of undergoing it;
they would then face the accountability in the Day of Resurrection.
Some people fulfill their role nicely, are thankful to God by action and behavior, whereas others are wrongdoers and unthankful. God says: “And He gives you of all that you ask of Him. And if you were to enumerate God’s grace, you could never number it. Lo! Man is verily a wrong-doer and unthankful!” (14:34).
Some people fulfill their role nicely, are thankful to God by action and behavior, whereas others are wrongdoers and unthankful. God says: “And He gives you of all that you ask of Him. And if you were to enumerate God’s grace, you could never number it. Lo! Man is verily a wrong-doer and unthankful!” (14:34).
But God is Merciful and Forgiving; He reminds all human beings to reflect upon themselves, so that they may repent, so He also said: “And if you were to count God’s grace, you could never reckon it. Indeed God is Forgiving, Merciful!” (16:18). In another Surah God says: “Say (that God declares): O My servants who have been prodigal against their own selves, do not despair of God’s mercy. Truly He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. And turn (penitently) to your Lord and submit to Him, before the chastisement comes on you, whereupon you will not be helped- And follow the best of that has been revealed to you from your Lord before the chastisement comes on you suddenly while you are unaware, before any self should say: Alas for me for what I have neglected of my duty to God. Indeed I was among those who ridiculed, or (before) that it should say, if only God had guided me, I would have been among those who were God-conscious persons” (39:53-57).
Islam condemns all forms of life-denying asceticism, world-renunciation, and self-mortification. The Qur’an declares that all good and beautiful things in life – which are not prohibited – are lawful to the believers. All those good things are shared by believers and unbelievers alike, but will be denied to the unbelievers in the Hereafter. God says: “O children of Adam! Take on your adornment at every mosque. Eat and drink but do not be excessive; He truly does not love those who are excessive. Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of God, which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of (God’s) sustenance? Say: They are for the believers during this worldly life (though shared by others), while they are purely for them on the Day of Resurrection. This how We elaborate the verses for people who understand” (7:31-32).
Although the orders and the interdictions in the Qur’an are made for the believers, yet there are certain verses which are directed to all mankind, as the following: ”O mankind, eat of what is in the earth, lawful and wholesome; and follow not the steps of Satan; he is a manifest foe to you” (2:168).
Most edible things are lawful for the believers to take as their food, as God says: “So eat of the lawful and good food which God has provided you, and be thankful for God’s grace, if it is Him that you worship. He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been hallowed to other than God. Yet whoever is compelled, neither craving nor transgressing, then truly God is Forgiving, Merciful” (16:114-115).
Bounds to be watched
For God’s servants to stay steadfast following the Right Path, God has revealed ordinances to be followed, guidance and bounds not to be transgressed. Since individuals are obliged to deal with each other in the society where they live, then justice is very important. For this reason God gives the guidance as follows: “O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in upholding equity, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinsfolk. Whether the person concerned be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over (the claims of) either of them. So do not follow any whim, lest you swerve, for if you twist or refrain, surely God is ever aware of what you do” (4:135). And in another verse in the Qur’an: “O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone leads you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do” (5:8).
The Limits
Because God has made all what is in the heavens and in the earth to be used, and societies to be organized by human beings, these bounds are necessary and fundamental.
The main principal of these bounds is that all what is good is permissible and all what is evil is prohibited.
There is one ayat (verse) in the Qur’an, which sums up orders three at a time and interdictions three at a time: “Indeed God enjoins justice and the excellence (in behavior and deeds) and to be generous to kinsfolk; and He forbids lewdness, and abomination, and oppressive attitudes; He exhorts you may be mindful” (16:90).
Another Islamic principle is that if something is prohibited, then all what leads to it is likewise prohibited. It means that Islamic Law intends to block all avenues leading to what is prohibited. For example with prohibiting sexual intercourse outside lawful marriage, it has also prohibited anything which leads to it or makes it attractive, like seductive clothing, private meetings and casual mixing between man and woman, the deception of nudity, pornographic literature, obscene songs, and so on.
At the same time, Islam has encouraged lawful marriage; God says: “Arrange the marriage of the spouseless among you, and the capable from among your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, God will enrich them out of His bounty. God is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing” (24: 32).
And it prohibits
intoxicating drinks, in order that people may enjoy other delicious drinks that
are wholesome for the body and mind. It prohibits unclean food, but provides
alternative wholesome food.
The Halal is clear and the Haram is clear
Nou’man Bin Basheer (one of the companions of the Prophet) related that he heard the Prophet (God’s blessings upon him) saying: “The Halal (the allowed) is clear and the Haram (the unlawful) is clear, and between both there are matters doubtful, unknown to most people. Whoever is wary of these doubtful matters, has absolved himself in regard to his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in them has indulged in the unlawful. It is like a shepherd who pastures around his sheep too close to a preserved pasture, and they will (eventually) graze in it. Truly, every king has a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of God is what He has made Haram. Truly, in the (human) body there is a morsel of flash, which if it be whole all the body is whole, and which if it is deceased, all (of the body) is deceased. And it is the heart” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The Halal is clear and the Haram is clear
Nou’man Bin Basheer (one of the companions of the Prophet) related that he heard the Prophet (God’s blessings upon him) saying: “The Halal (the allowed) is clear and the Haram (the unlawful) is clear, and between both there are matters doubtful, unknown to most people. Whoever is wary of these doubtful matters, has absolved himself in regard to his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in them has indulged in the unlawful. It is like a shepherd who pastures around his sheep too close to a preserved pasture, and they will (eventually) graze in it. Truly, every king has a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of God is what He has made Haram. Truly, in the (human) body there is a morsel of flash, which if it be whole all the body is whole, and which if it is deceased, all (of the body) is deceased. And it is the heart” (Bukhari and Muslim).
We can understand from this hadith, that there are things or matters, which are halal (lawful), and others haram (unlawful). But others again are doubtful, not known to most people. Only knowledge can ensure a person whether this matter is halal or haram. Yet beyond knowledge there is another factor, which can ensure a person to remain in the area of halal, and that is the state of his heart. If his heart is good, then he will decide to take the safe-side and avoid what is haram (prohibited). And if his heart is bad, then even the knowledge is of no benefit to him and he will indulge in what is illegal.
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