A good Muslim

[DSM0305]

Ihsan is a special Islamic term, defined by the famous hadith known as the Hadith of Jibreel.
Once Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) visited the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the guise of a man and in the presence of the Companions. This happened toward the end of the Prophetic mission and its purpose was to summarize some fundamental teachings of Islam for the education of all of us.
Jibreel (peace be upon him) asked questions about Islam, Iman, Ihsan, the Day of Judgment, and Fate. Regarding Ihsan, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) responded: “It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him. For though you see Him not, verily He is seeing you.” (Muslim) Obviously, our worship will be at its best when performed with that feeling. Ihsan, therefore, means striving for excellence in achieving piety, through an overwhelming feeling of closeness to Allah.
For anyone seeking spiritual purification, this is the goal. Abdul-Hameed Siddiqi, well known for his English translation of Sahih Muslim, notes that what is implied by the term tassawuf is nothing but Ihsan. With that in mind we can understand the joy of the person who once reported to his mentor that he had achieved Ihsan in his Prayers. He felt being in the presence of Allah every time he stood up for Prayer. “It is great that you should feel that way while praying,” his mentor replied. “But, do you have the same feelings when you are dealing with others? Have you attained Ihsan in your relations with your spouse and children; your relations with friends and relatives? In all social relations?” To the perplexed disciple he went on to explain that one must not restrict the concept of Ihsan to the performance of ritual prayers. The term is general and applies to all endeavours in our life.
The Sufi mentor in this story was Dr. Abdul Hai Arfi, himself a disciple of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi. One of the many great contributions of Maulana Thanvi was that he reintroduced Islamic teachings regarding social relations and dealings with others as a religious issue. His message was: You must become a good human being before you can ever become a good Muslim. This message destroys a disastrous and tragic misconception that reduces Islam to only the performance of the ritual acts of worship -the pillars- thus robbing it of much of the rest of the building. A very important and integral section of that building deals with our social relations. It is concerned with how we behave in the family. How we interact with relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and all the rest of humanity.
The cornerstone of Islamic teachings in this area is the requirement that we do not cause anyone any harm through our words or actions. A famous hadith states, “A Muslim is the one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe.” (Bukhari). Keeping others safe from our hands and tongues does not only mean that we do not hurl stones or abuses at them, it also means that we do not say or do anything that would hurt them.
Islam wants to build a society, which is a model of civility, courtesy, and consideration for others.
This hadith clearly describes this as a defining trait of a Muslim. While it refers to “other Muslims”, scholars agree that it is a general requirement that equally applies to non-Muslims except those who are at war with Muslims. A person who through his intentional or careless actions or words inflicts unjustified pain on others is not worthy of being called a Muslim.
We can begin to appreciate the value of this teaching by realizing that most problems in our lives are man-made. Life can become living hell if there are problems within the family: the tensions between the spouses, the frictions between parents and children, the fights between brothers and sisters and other relatives. Today these are common stories everywhere. But can these problems occur and reach the intensity they do if everyone is genuinely concerned about not hurting others? The same applies to relations between friends, neighbours, colleagues, and communities.
Islam wants to build a society, which is a model of civility, courtesy, and consideration for others. It does so by emphasizing these attributes as a matter of faith. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from the path.” (Muslim) This is consideration. And obviously, there is no trace of Iman below this.
We see this consideration for others throughout the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Of course, such an attitude shows itself in “minor” details. For example, Muslim narrated that whenever the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) visited a group where some people were asleep and others were not, he would greet them with a low enough voice so those awake could hear him while those asleep would not be disturbed. Every night when he used to get up for Tahajjud (late night Prayer) -a voluntary prayer for the rest of us- he would walk out of the bed very quietly so as not to disturb his sleeping wife.
Whenever he saw someone commit a wrong that needed to be corrected in public for the education of others, he would mention it in general terms, not naming the person who did it. This last practice also shows the two extremes in this regard that must be avoided. On the one hand is the temptation to compromise on the issue of right and wrong to avoid hurt feelings. On the other is the temptation to correct the wrong with total disregard to the fact that one might be insulting or injuring the other person. While we may see these extreme attitudes in people who seem to be poles apart in terms of their practice of religion, both stem from the same narrow vision of religion that holds our dealings with others as worldly affairs, outside the realm of Islam!
It is good to remember that Islam is a way of life. We must submit our whole life, not a small subset of our choosing, to the commands and teachings of Allah and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Our commitment to Islam must not only be life-long but also life-wide.

http://muslimvillage.com/2014/12/04/60120/a-good-muslim-is-a-good-human-being/

You guys may wonder why I posted this in Political talk and not in religion. For me it seems like the various questions regarding the Muslims are more politically inspired, and far from the actual religious question.

[Karachi]

civility, courtesy, and consideration for others.

^ all that is nice, however in (practical) terms to create a utopian society, where everything is fair, just, courteous,civil it is impossible. It has never been done before in human history. Humans in general are very weak. The closes we could come to society like that is a country like (Canada) for example, which is actually a secular country not a Islamic one

Lets be honest, Islamic countries and societies are hell on earth

[ghumbasa]

civility, courtesy, and consideration for others.

^ all that is nice, however in (practical) terms to create a utopian society, where everything is fair, just, courteous,civil it is impossible. It has never been done before in human history. Humans in general are very weak. The closes we could come to society like that is a country like (Canada) for example, which is actually a secular country not a Islamic one

Lets be honest, Islamic countries and societies are hell on earth

Whats honesty is that secular laws are falling apart...Best form of shariah was once established in times of 4 or 5 rashidun khulafa (if Umar bin Abdul Aziz is included) ...After that muslims had dynasties but righteous rulers off and on...These days dictators...so what do you expect if islam is not implemented fully even.

Islamic countries today are in worse situation because of sold out rulers and people who seek for wordly pleasure and consider the world as their paradise ignoring the rights of others or oppress them.Hence hypocrites are worse than non muslims.

You yourself admit humans in general are weak...then why blaming islam only? Humans may be weak...but struggle is necessary atleast.In practical terms umar ra had a khilafa according to which a western historian Gibbon at that said that his rulership was so perfect that if there could be another umar ra ...there wouldnt ve been any other religious group cept muslims.

Canada or usa or west etc have whole history of bloodshed...taking resources from other continents esp africa till this day.This is called as mind utopia.

[DSM0305]

civility, courtesy, and consideration for others.

^ all that is nice, however in (practical) terms to create a utopian society, where everything is fair, just, courteous,civil it is impossible. It has never been done before in human history. Humans in general are very weak. The closes we could come to society like that is a country like (Canada) for example, which is actually a secular country not a Islamic one

Lets be honest, Islamic countries and societies are hell on earth

This is exactly what I mean by politically motivated. Your critic isn't based on what is written in Islam, but rather what other people do. Basically using Muslims as a medium to criticize Islam, because you have a dislike for countries who happens to have Muslim population, and I must add that those countries to begin with isn't based on Islam. Take Saudi Arabia as an example, which is a monarchy/absolutism.

Lets me explain in other words. If a laws says that racism is banned and wrong, but some people are still racists. Is it the law which is wrong or the people who are racist. It is the same concepts in Islam.

If Islam tells you that certain things are wrong, but the person who happens to be a Muslim doesn't follow it. Is it the fault of Islam or the Muslim who may or may not consider himself as a Muslim to begin with.

Regarding countries and secularism which you mention. In that case the worst countries/governments in human history have been secular. Take Nazi germany or the soviet union under Stalin as an example. Even most modern Muslim countries are secular and still have corrupt governments.

My point is that whether countries are good or bad isn't based on religion, but rather on the circumstances they're ind. It is a point which many tend to ignore and take the easy way of blaming a particular thing. It is no different from what Nazi Germany did, when they blamed the 'lesser'' race on their failures.

What is good or bad is based on politics, ethics, culture, values etc. What is good for person A, may be the worst thing for person B. And this is exactly where my point comes from, that people tend to criticize Islam due to their politics, and not the content that Islam have.

[Karachi]

This is exactly what I mean by politically motivated. Your critic isn't based on what is written in Islam, but rather what other people do. Basically using Muslims as a medium to criticize Islam, because you have a dislike for countries who happens to have Muslim population, and I must add that those countries to begin with isn't based on Islam. Take Saudi Arabia as an example, which is a monarchy/absolutism.

Lets me explain in other words. If a laws says that racism is banned and wrong, but some people are still racists. Is it the law which is wrong or the people who are racist. It is the same concepts in Islam.

If Islam tells you that certain things are wrong, but the person who happens to be a Muslim doesn't follow it. Is it the fault of Islam or the Muslim who may or may not consider himself as a Muslim to begin with.

Regarding countries and secularism which you mention. In that case the worst countries/governments in human history have been secular. Take Nazi germany or the soviet union under Stalin as an example. Even most modern Muslim countries are secular and still have corrupt governments.

My point is that whether countries are good or bad isn't based on religion, but rather on the circumstances they're ind. It is a point which many tend to ignore and take the easy way of blaming a particular thing. It is no different from what Nazi Germany did, when they blamed the 'lesser'' race on their failures.

What is good or bad is based on politics, ethics, culture, values etc. What is good for person A, may be the worst thing for person B. And this is exactly where my point comes from, that people tend to criticize Islam due to their politics, and not the content that Islam have.

Which Islam though? I just really doubt that most muslims of today would want to live in a sharia state, especially the ones living in the west, enjoying their freedoms, let alone non muslims who will be 3rd class citizens in a sharia state

Look at ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Taliban etc.... All claimed that their states were sharia and look how brutal they were to everyone. Why is so hard to establish a utopian Islamic state that you are proposing? obviously because it is not possible. It only looks good in books and written on paper, you can never apply it in practical terms

[Karachi]

Whats honesty is that secular laws are falling apart...Best form of shariah was once established in times of 4 or 5 rashidun khulafa (if Umar bin Abdul Aziz is included) ...After that muslims had dynasties but righteous rulers off and on...These days dictators...so what do you expect if islam is not implemented fully even.

Islamic countries today are in worse situation because of sold out rulers and people who seek for wordly pleasure and consider the world as their paradise ignoring the rights of others or oppress them.Hence hypocrites are worse than non muslims.

You yourself admit humans in general are weak...then why blaming islam only? Humans may be weak...but struggle is necessary atleast.In practical terms umar ra had a khilafa according to which a western historian Gibbon at that said that his rulership was so perfect that if there could be another umar ra ...there wouldnt ve been any other religious group cept muslims.

Canada or usa or west etc have whole history of bloodshed...taking resources from other continents esp africa till this day.This is called as mind utopia.

When are they falling a part???

also what is your proof that those khilfat were ideal utopian islamic states? were you there? from what I know is that they were as violent as today, if not more.

The honest truth is that muslims have been divided from day one, they have been beheading each other since the beginning

[jankhan]

Which Islam though? I just really doubt that most muslims of today would want to live in a sharia state, especially the ones living in the west, enjoying their freedoms, let alone non muslims who will be 3rd class citizens in a sharia state

Look at ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Taliban etc.... All claimed that their states were sharia and look how brutal they were to everyone. Why is so hard to establish a utopian Islamic state that you are proposing? obviously because it is not possible. It only looks good in books and written on paper, you can never apply it in practical terms

Don't just base islamic history on the last 14 years. We will see a good time as well. Don't be so obsessed with islam.
Look at WW1, WW2 history, no need to go back and you will see how brutal the west have been. Their brutality is billions times intensed than of the total brutalities of the muslims for the last 1400 years.

[DSM0305]

Which Islam though? I just really doubt that most muslims of today would want to live in a sharia state, especially the ones living in the west, enjoying their freedoms, let alone non muslims who will be 3rd class citizens in a sharia state

Look at ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Taliban etc.... All claimed that their states were sharia and look how brutal they were to everyone. Why is so hard to establish a utopian Islamic state that you are proposing? obviously because it is not possible. It only looks good in books and written on paper, you can never apply it in practical terms

The Islam one believes ind. Why is there a hypocrisy regarding Islam, that almost 2 billion people should worldly announce one form of government, while any other religion or the lack of it, can have thousands of ways/forms. Then when suddenly one ind thousands works, then suddenly it is a 'prove' of its 'superiority'.

Your justification is also completely wrong. How in the world can you prove that Islam is 'bad' by saying; well, the west doesn't want it, so suddenly it is worldly accepted as a 'bad' system.
It like me saying that Christianity have bad values because countries in the east would never want it.
Which is exactly my point. That you justify your criticism of Islam, not based on what is written in it, but rather solely based on politics.

A Muslim can follow Islam/shariah even in the west. The question is what is Islam to one. That is a question one must ask himself and seek the answer. In Islam, the first and the most important thing is what we would call a Loy Jihad(greater Jihad). It is a Jihad within yourself, to improve yourself. Jihad literally means struggle. A greater Jihad is basically a struggle within yourself. This a very important detail people seems to forget/ignore, and also a reason people go in a stray pass.

Regarding ISIS, Taliban etc. There is some important details you're ignoring. And it is actually something I mention several times and even in my previous comment. It is the circumstances. How did Taliban and ISIS come to power, and under what condition. People can literally write several books regarding those groups way to power. To use them as an argument against Islam is basically ignoring facts and denying logic.

[Karachi]

The Islam one believes ind. Why is there a hypocrisy regarding Islam, that almost 2 billion people should worldly announce one form of government, while any other religion or the lack of it, can have thousands of ways/forms. Then when suddenly one ind thousands works, then suddenly it is a 'prove' of its 'superiority'.

Your justification is also completely wrong. How in the world can you prove that Islam is 'bad' by saying; well, the west doesn't want it, so suddenly it is worldly accepted as a 'bad' system.
It like me saying that Christianity have bad values because countries in the east would never want it.
Which is exactly my point. That you justify your criticism of Islam, not based on what is written in it, but rather solely based on politics.

A Muslim can follow Islam/shariah even in the west. The question is what is Islam to one. That is a question one must ask himself and seek the answer. In Islam, the first and the most important thing is what we would call a Loy Jihad(greater Jihad). It is a Jihad within yourself, to improve yourself. Jihad literally means struggle. A greater Jihad is basically a struggle within yourself. This a very important detail people seems to forget/ignore, and also a reason people go in a stray pass.

Regarding ISIS, Taliban etc. There is some important details you're ignoring. And it is actually something I mention several times and even in my previous comment. It is the circumstances. How did Taliban and ISIS come to power, and under what condition. People can literally write several books regarding those groups way to power. To use them as an argument against Islam is basically ignoring facts and denying logic.

This is what I am saying, Islam maybe good on individual personal level for people, however on a state level it can never be, when people force it on each other directly or indirectly. That has been proven many times already. So a sharia state in the modern world would never work.

Also regarding circumstances, this is very easy thing to say. I understand violent groups rise when there is war, however groups like ISIS, Alqeada, Boko haram etc... have completely different agendas. Their agenda is not too liberate people but to establish sharia law world over.

[DSM0305]

This is what I am saying, Islam maybe good on individual personal level for people, however on a state level it can never be, when people force it on each other directly or indirectly. That has been proven many times already. So a sharia state in the modern world would never work.

Also regarding circumstances, this is very easy thing to say. I understand violent groups rise when there is war, however groups like ISIS, Alqeada, Boko haram etc... have completely different agendas. Their agenda is not too liberate people but to establish sharia law world over.

You have missed the whole point of my posts. Islam is what it is, one cannot judge it by people who doesn't follow it. A state with sharia law can work as well, as any other nations. And sharia law can vary depending on the interpretation the people have come to.

Forcing ones view is done by everyone Christians, Hindus, socialists, liberals and especially by Atheist/secularist. So in terms of that, Muslims are quite passive compared to these groups. Take yourself as an example, see to which length you will go to glorify secularism/atheism. Other secularist/atheist do even more to enforce their way of life.

You keep repeating ''that has been proven many times already'', show me those proves. The matter of facts is that it have never been proven, nor is there any scientific data regarding that. I even highly doubt there is an article worth mentioning regarding this. I know your views and that you wanna others to follow them, but do not use something like ''it has been proven'', because then people will demands those 'proves'. And I am 100 percent sure there aren't any, and you use it simply so people take your word for it.
So if you have any prove regarding this, then be my guest and show them to me.

Regarding those groups. It is not about what their agenda is, but rather what the circumstances were there for them to come to power. That is where your problem starts. You don't analyze the situation, but rather jump to the conclusion.
Lets take Taliban as an example. People who were in Taliban didn't have a group or any agenda for that matter. They were simply some religious people who went to their home and minded their own buisness when the soviets left. Yet, when the circumstances were created due to the non-stop violence amongst the warlords. It forced the people to form a group and with little help from you know who. And as for any group who rules a large piece of land, one must form an administration and find a meaning in their rule. Now the question is:
1. Would those religious people formed a group and enforced strict laws if the warlords didn't exist
2. Would those religious people have the same strict law if the country were richer, basically have more resources to accomplish something better (economy have allot to do with the rule of law. one can take example on the corruption in east and west europe)
3. Would those religious people even have interpreted the law so strict if it wasn't for the ISIS involvement in the madrassas
4. Would all those thing even happened if soviets didn't invade

I can come up with thousands of more points regarding Taliban, but I think people get the main point by now. The whole point is that groups are formed due the circumstance they are thrown ind. Economy, politics, neighboring countries, resources, ethnic groups, language, values etc. all have an effect on how those groups forms and why. This is also why every group have unique characteristic that characterize them specifically. This is also the reason why there are different groups in different countries, and why groups from various time line differs so hugely.

[ghumbasa]

When are they falling a part???

also what is your proof that those khilfat were ideal utopian islamic states? were you there? from what I know is that they were as violent as today, if not more.

The honest truth is that muslims have been divided from day one, they have been beheading each other since the beginning

So the morality of society is not decaying today esp in west? What about the drugs and human traffiking,wars,invasions,excessive gap between rich and poor because of banking and interest system,high crime rates than in any of era of humanity noted,feminazi and homosexuality movements launched openly,famine in african countries because of invasions...i can go on....

Atleast in religion there is a set code of morality.Not a single thing goes unpunished if true sharia is implemented not of the groups that you mentioned..your sheer ignorance is evident from the fact that islamic history is being noted in a chain of narrations by various muslims historians ...scholars..and many non muslims too.There are whole lot biographies written over the historians themselves...i even gave one example of Gibbon a western historian at the time of umar ra you ignored it completely.


Violance is a subjective term..to one it may be a judtice brought to a criminal and to other it appears to be an act of oppression.Onus of proof is upon you to prove that they were violent not just...Proof? You accuse too much without proofs...

And btw..if you are hankering after utopia with religion of islam at hand...dont expect peace since satan is bound to be in path of believers...ll try best to distract them.So tell me which religion had no history of wars? Crusades or other religioud texts from subcontinent has whole lot of history of violrnce you ignore this and focus on islam...shows your biasness.

[ghumbasa]

This is what I am saying, Islam maybe good on individual personal level for people, however on a state level it can never be, when people force it on each other directly or indirectly. That has been proven many times already. So a sharia state in the modern world would never work.

Also regarding circumstances, this is very easy thing to say. I understand violent groups rise when there is war, however groups like ISIS, Alqeada, Boko haram etc... have completely different agendas. Their agenda is not too liberate people but to establish sharia law world over.

So you are giving a litmus test of islam by looking at those groups? Whats is exactly sharia ? Do you even know the rulings of sharia or chanting it because some orientalists keep repeating it so? You makd it seem that you ve mastered the concept of sharia and the society of secularism is a utopian society...

Explain exactly your position regarding religion...you believe in islam or an agnostic ? Cause i ve never seen a law brought by Allah and Prophet saww being rejected by a muslim atleast...Rejecting any part of order of Allah and prophet saww means you dont believe in it? I ve pretty good stuff stored too for agnostics and athiests...but i d like to know your views on religions first...

[Badlun]

Good Muslim is the one who follows the spiritual part of Islam which is explained above, Iahsan. I could not any word or system called SHaria in QUran or authentic HAdith. There is no sharia at all. We never saw any benevolent sharia in the last 1400 years. The first 30 years were also marred by wars and conflicts kiling MUslims by Muslims and Non Muslims by MUslims.
SHaria is pure utopia or even the opposite of it as utopia is something good while the SHaria of stoning, cutting heads, lashes in public and beheadings with polygamy, half worth of women,enslaving women, child marriage etc seem horrible.

I only consider SUfism to be ISlam, rest barbarity . And the proof of pudding is in its eating. Why every Muslim wants to be the citizen of the developed world and wants to leave the so called ISlamic world for ever.
If ISlam was such a good system, then why it could not be implemented in the last 1400 years and why no country today wants it? Only Taaliban and the likes strugles for it.

[ghumbasa]

Good Muslim is the one who follows the spiritual part of Islam which is explained above, Iahsan. I could not any word or system called SHaria in QUran or authentic HAdith. There is no sharia at all. We never saw any benevolent sharia in the last 1400 years. The first 30 years were also marred by wars and conflicts kiling MUslims by Muslims and Non Muslims by MUslims.
SHaria is pure utopia or even the opposite of it as utopia is something good while the SHaria of stoning, cutting heads, lashes in public and beheadings with polygamy, half worth of women,enslaving women, child marriage etc seem horrible.

I only consider SUfism to be ISlam, rest barbarity . And the proof of pudding is in its eating. Why every Muslim wants to be the citizen of the developed world and wants to leave the so called ISlamic world for ever.
If ISlam was such a good system, then why it could not be implemented in the last 1400 years and why no country today wants it? Only Taaliban and the likes strugles for it.

Islam stresses not only ihsan but also on huquq ul ibaad (the rights of people ) and huququllah (rights of Allah )...Huquq ul ibaad itself a part of ihsan...

Muslims killing each other is what was prophecised by prophet saww already...that there were 71 sects of jews,then 72 sects of christians finally muslims ll ve 73.Sects killing is because when group of people start deviating from the true path of islam...and indulge in activities not described in quran or sunnah or a ruling that comes under grey zones taking to extreme.Secterian killings had been in other religions as well so singling out islam shows biased approach.

Barbarity is what we see today happening to innocent muslims world wide.In islam various crimes are taken seriously hence set rulings of punishment to prevent moral decay plus society deterioration.Shariah is the law assigned by Allah for our own benefits.

Comparing islamic laws...non islamic laws are more brutal e.g electrocution on chair of a prisoner.

[ghumbasa]

Good Muslim is the one who follows the spiritual part of Islam which is explained above, Iahsan. I could not any word or system called SHaria in QUran or authentic HAdith. There is no sharia at all. We never saw any benevolent sharia in the last 1400 years. The first 30 years were also marred by wars and conflicts kiling MUslims by Muslims and Non Muslims by MUslims.
SHaria is pure utopia or even the opposite of it as utopia is something good while the SHaria of stoning, cutting heads, lashes in public and beheadings with polygamy, half worth of women,enslaving women, child marriage etc seem horrible.

I only consider SUfism to be ISlam, rest barbarity . And the proof of pudding is in its eating. Why every Muslim wants to be the citizen of the developed world and wants to leave the so called ISlamic world for ever.
If ISlam was such a good system, then why it could not be implemented in the last 1400 years and why no country today wants it? Only Taaliban and the likes strugles for it.

The Islamic Approach to Combating Crime:

The ultimate objective of every Islamic legal injunction is to secure the welfare of humanity in this world and the next by establishing a righteous society.* This is a society that worships God and flourishes on the Earth, one that wields the forces of nature to build a civilization wherein every human being can live in a climate of peace, justice and security.* This is a civilization that allows a person to fulfill his every spiritual, intellectual, and material need and cultivate every aspect of his being.* This supreme objective is articulated by the Quran in many places.* God says:

“We have sent our Messengers with clear signs and have sent down with them the book and the criterion so that man can establish justice.* And we sent down iron of great strength and many benefits for man...” (Quran 57:25)

And He says:

“…God wants ease for you, not hardship...” (Quran 2:185)

And He says:

“God wants to make things clear for you and to guide you to the ways of those before you and to forgive you.* God is the All knowing, the Wise.* God wants to forgive you and wants those who follow their desires to turn wholeheartedly towards (what is right).* God wants to lighten your burdens, and He has created man weak.” (Quran 4:26-28)

And He says:

“God commands justice, righteousness, and spending on ones relatives, and prohibits licentiousness, wrongdoing, and injustice…” (Quran 16:90)

Since the Islamic legal injunctions are aimed at achieving human welfare, they can all be referred back to universal principles which are necessary for human welfare to be secured.* These universal principles are:

1.*** The preservation of life.

2.*** The preservation of religion.

3.*** The preservation of reason.

4.*** The preservation of lineage.

5.*** The preservation of property.

The Islamic penal system is aimed at preserving these five universal necessities.* To preserve life, it prescribes the law of retribution.* To preserve religion, it prescribes the punishment for apostasy.* To preserve reason, it prescribes the punishment for drinking.* To preserve lineage, it prescribes the punishment for fornication.* To preserve wealth, it prescribes the punishment for theft.* To protect all of them, it prescribes the punishment for highway robbery.

It should therefore become clear to us why the crimes for which Islam for which the Law has prescribed fixed punishments are as follows:

1.*** Transgression against life (murder or assault).

2.*** Transgression against property (theft).

3.*** Transgression against lineage (fornication and false accusations of adultery).

4.*** Transgression against reason (using intoxicants).

5.*** Transgression against religion (apostasy).

6.*** Transgression against all of these universal needs (highway robbery).