The Fundamental Sources Of The Religion Of Islam

All thefundamental rules of religion are based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah ;and the evidence of inferences referred to both of them. It is recordedin the Noble Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (PBU.H) , said: ” I havebequeathed to you , that by which, if you adhere to you will never goastray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.” (Cited by AI-Hakim, whoauthenticated it)

The Qur’au

It is the word of AllahSanctified, which He revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), piece bypiece over twenty-three years. It is the period of the mission of whichProphet Mohammad (PBUH), spent among his companions. It is the textpreserved between the two covers of the Holy Writ; and passed on to us,and is among us in perpetuity generation to generation. It is theeternal miracle of Islam and its comprehensive constitution of all thathumanity needs in life and in the Hereafter.

Allah Most High said:

“ The Book- The Qur’an which Wesent down  to you  is  the  fountain-head ofdivine knowledge and the chief source of  divine information. Itelucidates  every aspect  of every thought and it is a guideinto all truth and a mercy extended to the people and joyful tidings tothose who  conformed to Islam. “(Sura 16:89)

There is no doubt that theguidance of the Qur’an is the best guidance because it has beenrevealed from He  , Who is exalted in Might

Allah The Almighty said

“ Indeed this Qur’an guides tothe best way of moral rightness which has had everlasting residence inthe character of the Godhead and to the uprightness of decision “(Sura 17:9)

The Qur’an shall remain themiracle and foundation until the Day of Resurrection. None can fullyappreciate its linguistic, intellectual, legislative miracles and otheraspects   of its miracles . Nor can any comprehend its lawswith ease, except capable experts or scholars. Therefore, there remainsthe fact that the translations of its meanings, which have been made ofit, have not done full justice to its miracles and guidance.

THESUNNAH

This is all that originates inthe sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) or action or description or approval.Above all, it is explanatory of the Qur’an: as stated in it:

Allah Most High said:

“And. We inspired to you (OMohammad) The Qur’an to explain to the people all that has beenrevealed to them of decrees, ordinances and the fundamental principleof God’s system of faith and worship. (Sura 16:44)

And so knowledge of the numberof the obligatory prayers, and number of prostrations of each of theseobligatory prayers; and the proportion of the Alms (Zakat ) and theirvalue, and rites of fasting and Pilgrimage; and so I on; all those areexplained by the Sunnah, which came at times with new rules? Like theprohibition of a man combining in marriage, between a woman and herpaternal, or maternal  aunt; and the prohibition of eatingdomesticated donkeys. These are Laws from Allah Sanctified.

AllahMost High Said: …

“ Nor does he give utterance towords moved by selfish motive, or utter error against God and commitshis  heart to  inequity. but what  he elates  toyou people is  nothing other than a Qur’an. Revealed to him byinspiration from God. And it extends to all subjects treated ” (Sura53:3-4)

And we are bidden to accept andfollow the Sunnah as a source of legislation.

AllahMost High said:

“And whatever the Apostlecommands  you to do, you must do, and  whatever heforbids  you to do, you must  not do ” (Sura59:7)

Allah The Almighty also said:(3/96)

“ Say to them:Be obedientto God and to the Apostle”( Sura 3:32)

And it is in the Noble Hadith :

“Behold, I have been given theQur’an and its like , together with it ? So if I forbid you a thing,shun it; and if  I bid you do a thing, then do of it what you areable to do.” (Authentic; cited by Ahmad; andby Abu Dawood)

And so it is not permissible toquestion the relevance o f the Qur’an .

The scholars -‘Ulama- haveguarded it (the Qur’an) through recitation and insight; and they havewritten books on verification of narration’s with minute, and exactinvestigation and deliberation, which cannot be attained by the highesttrend of modern criticism. These explications have been called thebooks of expostulations and explications.

In the same way the authenticSunnah has been compiled in books, the most important of which is TheAuthentic Compendium of Bukhari, who died in 256 AH. In the same way,there is the compilation of the citations of Muslim who died in 261 AH.

And so, if the texts of theQur’an and Sunnah are compressed, yet by their totality and generaltenets, it is possible by way of scrutinizing them and using theanalogy of resemblances and similarities, to lay down laws and rules,for every incident, which arises until the Day of Resurrection. That iswhat the erudite Imams have done, and those who have furnished theIslamic library with books of Islamic Jurisprudence, replete with Laws,including even rules on what is deemed probable of occurrence. So bythis flexibility of the texts of Religion, Islamic Shari’ah hasremained extent and lively, and it shall continue to be lively, activeand applicable to the Day of Resurrection.

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Chapter Nine