Al-Huda
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 9/121
Newsletter for September 2011
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8 - Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12
Gradualism in Applying the Shari`ah
by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, April 26, 2005
Gradualism in applying the Shari`ah is a wise requirement to
follow. In doing so, we will be following Allah’s laws with
regard to physical nature and teachings of Islam. Gradualism was
observed in enjoining the obligations of Islam such as Prayer,
fasting, etc., and in forbidding the prohibited as well.
The most telling example in that regard is prohibiting alcohol;
the stages taken in that respect are well known by anyone
studying the
Shari`ah. Islam also took into account the effectiveness of
gradualism when it did not suddenly abolish slavery, which was
prevalent in the
whole world on the advent of Islam.
Abolishing slavery then would have led to economic and social
uprising, so it was wise then to deal with such a problem in an
indirect way (by,
for instance, regarding setting a slave free as a good deed and
making it an expiation for some sins). This implied a gradual
abolishing of
slavery.
Being a divine law, gradualism is to be followed on the
political level nowadays. That is to say, gradualism is to be
observed when it comes to
applying the rulings of the Shari`ah in today’s life when
Muslims have been socially, legislatively, and culturally
invaded.
If we want to establish a real Muslim society, we should not
imagine that such an end can be achieved by a mere decision
issued to that
effect by a king or a president or a council of leaders or a
parliament.
Gradualism is the means through which such an end can be
fulfilled. Gradualism here refers to preparing people
ideologically,
psychologically, morally, and socially to accept and adopt the
application of the Shari`ah in all aspects of life, and to
finding lawful alternatives for the forbidden principles upon
which many associations have been founded for so long.
Gradualism in that sense does not mean we are to procrastinate
and put off applying the Shari`ah. Gradualism is not to be taken
as a pretext for discouraging people and foiling their pressing
demands to establish Allah’s laws.
It, rather, should spur us to spotlight our aims, set our plans,
and decide, sincerely and wisely, on the gradual stages to be
taken in that respect. In that way, step by step, and through
wise planning, organizing, and determination, we can reach the
last and long-awaited stage of applying all the teachings of
Islam heart and soul.
This was the same approach that the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him) adopted so that he (peace and blessings be upon
him) could change the pre-Islamic life of degeneration and
ignorance into the enlightened life of Islam.
There is an example of this approach that is related concerning
`Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz, whom the Muslim scholars regard as the
fifth rightly-guided caliph.
`Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz’s son, `Abdul-Malik, who was a firm,
pious young man, said to his father one day, “O father! Why you
do not implement the rulings firmly and immediately? By Allah, I
would not care if all the world would furiously oppose us so
long as we seek to establish the right [that Allah Almighty has
enjoined].” These words show how zealous that young man was to
destroy all signs of corruption and deterioration immediately
and without delay, whatever the consequences.
But the wise father said to his son, “Do not deal with matters
hastily, son. Allah Almighty [Himself] despised drinking alcohol
twice in the Qur’an and did not declare it forbidden but in the
third time. I am afraid that if I enjoined the right on people
at one stroke, they would give it up all at once, which might
lead to sedition.”
That attitude of `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Aziz shows that he saw it
wise to tackle matters gradually. He was guided in that respect
by Allah’s dealing with prohibiting alcohol. He wanted to lead
people step by step towards establishing the right and this, in
fact, is the wise juristic approach to handle matters.
Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi is the head of the European Council for
Fatwa and Research (ECFR), and the president of The
International Association of Muslim Scholars (IAMS). He has been
active in the field of da`wah and the Islamic Movement for more
than half a century.
courtesy: islamonline.net
HOME - NEWSLETTERS - BOOKS - ARTICLES - CONTACT - FEEDBACK
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.