The Ahkaam that are encompassed by the Qur’aan Al Kareem
The Qur’aan encompasses Usool Ud-Deen (fundamentals of the Deen i.e. Aqeedah) and all types of Ahkaam including those which came in an ‘Aamm (general) and Mujmal (requiring detail) way and it also includes that which has come in a detailed manner. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims (An-Nahl 89).
It has organised and regulated these Ahkaam (rulings): The relationship of the human with his Rabb, the relationship of the human with himself and the relationship of the human with others.
1) The Ahkaam that regulate the relationship of the human with his Rabb:
- Al-Aqaa’id (beliefs): The Aayaat of the Qur’aan Al-Kareem have explained and made clear that which is obligatory for the Muslim to believe in like the Imaan in Allah, His Malaa’ikah (Angels), His Kutub (Books), His Rusul (Messengers), the Last Day, Jannah (paradise) and Naar (hellfire), Jinn and other matters... Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray (An-Nisaa 136).
- Al-Ibaadaat (Acts of worship): Like the Salaah, Zakaah, Siyaam, Hajj and Al-Jihaad which came in an ‘Aamm (general) and Mujmal manner and were then explained (and detailed) by the Messenger of Allah (saw) who said: “Take your rituals (Manaasik of Hajj) from me” (Ahmad) and said: “Pray as you have seen me pray” (Ahmad and Al-Bukhaari).
2) Ahkaam that have organised the relationship of the human or person with himself:
- Al-Mat’oomaat (foodstuffs) and Malboosaat (clothing/dress): Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
O mankind, eat from that which is upon the earth (that is) lawful and good (Al Baqarah 168).
From these things some matters have been exempted and have been made Haraam like that which is mentioned in the following Aayah:
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah... (Al-Maa’idah 3).
From the two Aayaat and others the following principle was deduced:
‘The Asl (origin) in respect to things is Al-Ibaahah (permissibility) as long as no Daleel has been mentioned to prohibit it’.
- Al-Akhlaaq (morals): The Qur’aan has urged the possession of the virtuous morals like truthfulness, humbleness, Khushoo’ (focus in worship) and Sabr (patience) and it has prohibited bad characteristics like lying, cheating, pride and arrogance whilst making the consequence of having these traits being linked to punishment in the hereafter:
Woe, that Day to the deniers (Al-Mursalaat 19).
3) Al-Ahkaam that organise and regulate the relationship of the human with others:
- The Ruling System:
The Qur’aan regulated the relationship between the ruler and the ruled and placed down principles that must be observed by general Adillah. The most important of which are:
a) Al-Hukm (ruling) by what Allah Ta’Aalaa has revealed. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And rule between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their desires (Al-Maa’idah 49).
b) Al-‘Adl (justice) in resolving disagreements and disputes between the people. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And when (if) you judge (rule) amongst the people you must judge with justice (An-Nisaa’ 58).
c) Obedience to those entrusted with authority (Uoli-l-Amr) as long as they adhere to the Hukm (ruling) by what Allah Ta’Aalaa has revealed. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it back to Allah and the Messenger (An-Nisaa’ 59).
d) Ash-Shouraa (consultation): Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And consult them in the matter/affair (Aali ‘Imraan 159).
And He Ta’Aalaa said:
And whose affair is Shooraa (consultation) between them (Ash-Shouraa 38).
e) At-Ta’aawun (cooperation): Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression (Al-Maa’idah 2).
- The Economic System:
This relates to the organisation and regulation of ownership, its causes and how to act or dispose in regards to it. It has explained that the property in origin belongs to Allah:
And give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you (An-Noor 33).
And Allah Ta’Aalaa has entrusted the human with this property (Maal). Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And spend of that whereof He has made you trustees (Al-Hadeed 7).
And it placed down a general principle (Qaa’idah ‘Aammah) for the spending and this is the Qawl of Allah Ta’Aalaa:
But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world (Al-Qasas 77).
- The Social System:
‘The Family System’ and this is the system that treats the relationship between the man and the woman and what arises from this relationship like Zawaaj (marriage), Talaaq (divorce), ‘Iddah (waiting period) and Nafaqah (spending). And it established the relationship between the husband and wife upon Mawaddah (affection) and Rahmah (mercy). Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And He placed between you (male and female) affection and mercy (Ar-Room 21).
- Punishment System:
This is like the Hadd (set prescribed punishment) for Al-Qatl (murder), the Hadd for Saraqah (thievery), the Hadd for Az-Zinaa (fornication and adultery) and the Hadd for Al-Huraabah (highway robbery). They are punishments which act as a deterrence in which the preservation and safeguarding of the lives, minds, offspring (lineage) and wealth (properties) is observed. For example, it has been explained that there is life (Hayaat) in Al-Qisaas (law of retribution) as Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life (Al-Baqarah 179).
- The relationship of Muslims with others:
The Muslims have been directed to fulfil their covenant with others: The Qur’aan directed the Muslims to fulfil their covenant with others including the States, peoples and nations. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And fulfil the covenant of Allah when you have convened it (An-Nahl 91).
And it instructed us to act kindly and generously with the captive as Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive (Al-Insaan 8).
And the Qur’aan directed treating the enemy in a like for like manner. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:
So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you (Al-Baqarah 194).