The Comprehensive Nature of Sharee’ah
Allah ﷻ has explicitly stated how the Book that He has revealed is a clarification for all things.
This Article explores the comprehensiveness of Allah’s ﷻ Sharee’ah.
The word shumool or comprehensiveness is a state of inclusiveness or universality that incorporates a broad range of things. But when the word shumool is used in reference to the legislation of the Sharee’ah, it conveys the type of comprehensiveness that Allah ﷻ describes in His statement:
مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ ( سورة الأنعام: ٣٨)
“We have not neglected to mention anything in the Book. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” (Soorat al-Anaam: 38)
Allah ﷻ has similarly clarified the role of the Prophet in conveying the universal message of the Qur’aan to the people in His statement:
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ( سورة النحل : ٤٤ )
“And We revealed to you the message so that you may clarify to the people what was sent down to them and so that they might give thought.” (Soorat an-Nahl : 44)
The legislation of Islam takes into account every situation that mankind faces in the life of this world. From the etiquette of cleansing one’s self to the establishment of the Islamic state, Allah has carefully addressed every situation that His servants could possibly face by establishing a comprehensive legislation that perfectly fulfills their worldly and spiritual needs.
Muslims should recognize and appreciate the significance of the comprehensive legislation that they have been given. Salmaan Al-Faarisee was once approached by a man who questioned him conceming the Prophet’s role in regulating the Muslims etiquettes of relieving themselves. Salmaan quickly responded by confirming what the man had heard and further clarifying the rulings relieving oneself. Perhaps Salmaan confidently explained about these rulings to the questioner because he was proud of the religion that abrogates all of the revealed Scriptures which preceded it.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ ( سورةالتوبة :٣٣)
“It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to proclaim its superiority over all other religions, even though the people of polytheism dislike it.” (Soorat at-Tawbah:33)
Allah has explicitly mentioned that nothing has been left out of His Book. This sense of comprehensiveness is further supported by the statement of Allah ﷻ in Soorat an-Nahl wherein He says:
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًۭا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ ( سورة النحل : ۸۸ )
“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’aan) as a clarification for all things and as a source of guidance, mercy, and glad tidings for the Muslims.” (Soorat an-Nahl : 89)
The generality of the statement “as a clarification for all things” includes all aspects of Allah’s legislation from the foundations from which specific rulings are derived, to the principles upon which our belief in Allah ﷻ is based. The guidance mentioned in this verse is the direct result of applying beneficial knowledge and performing righteous actions. However, the mercy which is mentioned in the previous verse is an example of how Allah ﷻ rewards people in the worldly life as well as the Hereafter.
Allah ﷻ has explicitly stated how the Book that He has revealed is a clarification for all things. Similarly, Allah has informed us about the Prophet’s responsibility to convey this clear message. So the path to success has been laid down for mankind. And every situation that people can possibly encounter has been addressed in a comprehensive legislation that has been completed and perfected.
Every aspect of peoples’ lives has been accounted for so that justice may be established when Allah ﷻ judges His creation. Everyone who has learned about the message of Muhammad will have no argument before the Creator since the legislation of Islam is perfect, complete, and comprehensive.
Discussion
- In this Article, you learned about the comprehensiveness of Islamic law and legislation. In what other ways is Islam comprehensive? How would you compare this comprehensiveness to limitations of other ways of life?
