Foundations & Framework - Part 1
Assertion:-
In Islam, the order of influences that determine the individual and collective conduct of Muslims should be as follows:-
(1) Quran says Allah breathed His Ruh (Spirit) into man - 32:9. That becomes a guiding light for man.
Comment:-
I think you know very well, but have ignored the fact, that man sinned and was expelled from Paradise because of that and:-
"Surely, We have created man in the best of moulds. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low; Save those who believe and act right; for theirs is a reward unfailing. But what shall make thee call the judgement after this a lie?" 95:4-7
This means that his Ruh became dormant and his faculties became imperfect. Therefore, a discipline to reverse the Fall had to be sent.
Assertion:-
(2) In addition Allah sent his books. Quran is the latest edition of the book. It becomes a source of guidance. But it needs the Ruh to understand it.
Comment:-
Prophets were sent to guide man because man was expelled. True that the Quran cannot be understood without the Ruh, but there are degrees of understanding which improve when the religious discipline brought by the Prophets is undertaken. It is not necessary that the Quran should be understood in the beginning as long as the discipline is undertaken.
"We said: Go down therefrom altogether and haply there may come from Me a Guidance, and whoso follows My Guidance, no fear is theirs, nor shall they grieve." 2:38
"The dwellers of the desert (or desert Arabs) say: We believe. Say: You believe not, but rather say: We submit; for faith has not yet entered into your hearts; and if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish anything of your deeds; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." 49:14
Assertion:-
(3) Then there is the way Prophet understood Quran within the constraints of his space-time. That is a case study. It too is guidance but it needs Quran to make sense of it.
Comment:-
This is partly correct. But also vice versa. The Prophet explained, demonstrated and applied the Quran.
It is not possible to say that one space-time is completely different from another. Somethings are common to all space-times (in human affairs) and some are common to a set of circumstances. Therefore, the instructions of the Prophet cannot be confined to only his own space-time. It is a question of interpreting these circumstances and instructions in a narrow or wider sense i.e. as particulars or as pointing to what is more general. Intelligence is required and yes, the Ruh - i.e. the more righteous have better insight.
Assertion:-
(4) There is history and there are case studies of mankind that are recorded for our benefit.
These are four sources of Guidance. It is a complete and sufficient set. The relative priority of these sources is the order they are listed above. This priority order is necessary for Muslims to understand, if they are ever to stop going around in circles.
Comment:-
The Quran also mentions a third Authority, besides, Allah and the Messenger:-
"O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those in authority amongst you; and if you dispute (quarrel or argue) about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you (in truth) believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and fairer in the end." 4:59
The order of priorities, therefore, goes a little further. I would suggest the following order:-
(1) Allah directly.
"Say: Allah's guidance is the (sufficient, correct or only) guidance;" 2:120.
This direct guidance can only apply to regenerated persons in whom the Ruh has become active according to the verse:-
"O you who believe! Respond unto Allah and His Messenger when He calls you to that which quickens you; and know that Allah comes in between a man and his own heart; and that He it is unto Whom you shall be gathered." 8:24
It cannot be used as an excuse by all and sundry to apply their own opinions, whims, prejudices and fantasies and claim that they are revelations from Allah.
But we place Allah first because Islam is "Surrender to Allah" and to the Quran only because it is the word of Allah. But Allah has created the Universe and sent other scriptures also.
(2) The Quran.
(3) The Sunna (Traditions of the Prophet). This includes genuine Hadith, but also that which is included in the practices of Muslim Communities and what has been orally transmitted.
(4) The Learned, the Foremost, "Those who have been given knowledge" (Not ordinary scholars but Saintly persons.) These can be said to connect the upper spiritual triad of priorities (mentioned above) with the lower communal triad (mentioned below).
(5) Shura and Ijma (Councils and Consensus) - Conducting affairs by "mutual consultation", using Aql, Qias and Tafsir. Here begins the Communal aspect of Islam (The Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic).
(6) Istihsaan and Istislaah - Preferences based on judgement of what is more relevant, suitable or important and what is more conducive to the public interest, welfare and development. It includes the necessity for social responsibility.
(7) Urf and Adat - Practices and Custom specially those of a righteous community.
(For a full treatment of this subject see Chapter 3 - Foundations in "The Alternative Way" in the Website www.altway.freeuk.com
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Foundation Part 2..........Content