Is The Sharia Law Timeless?
… “am I right in my understanding that the 5 sins are the only sins in Islam? is this correct that all those sins are actually different forms of injustice or zulm?” … Yes, this statement is correct. … “is it true that all other do’s and don’t are actually “application of control” to prevent those sins?” … Most of them, but not all of them. For example, the reason for punishment of thievery has been mentioned in Quran as “ reward of their own deeds, and as an exemplary punishment from God” . This means, the reason is not primarily the prevention, it could however be a secondary benefit here.
– ““And as to the thief, male or female, cut off their hands as a reward of their own deeds , and as an exemplary punishment from God . But whoever repents and mends his ways after committing this crime shall be pardoned by Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”. (5:38-39) – ” The punishments of those who wage war against Allah and His Prophet and strive to spread anarchy in the land are to execute them in an exemplary way or to crucify them or to amputate their hands and feet from opposite sides or to banish them from the land. Such is their disgrace in this world , and in the Hereafter, theirs will be an awful doom except those who repent before you overpower them, then you should know that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful”. (5:33-34) – “And We enjoined for them therein: life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, wound for wound. Then he who forgoes, then this shall be an atonement for his own self. And those who do not judge according to what Allah has revealed, it is they who are the wrongdoers” . (5:45) – “… And there is life for you in qisas O men of insight that you may follow the limits set by Allah”. (2:179) – “The man and the woman guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes and let not compassion move you in their case in the enforcement of the law of God, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day . And let a party of the believers witness their punishment. The man guilty of fornication may only marry a woman similarly guilty or an idolatress and the woman guilty of fornication may only marry such a man or an idolater. The believers are forbidden such marriages”. (24:2-3) – “ You know not who among your children and parents are nearest to you in benefit. This is the law of God. Indeed, God is Wise and All-Knowing “. (4:11)
It is clear from the above verses that the punishments for crimes are for deterrence to prevent criminals and others from such crimes in the future. In other words those are sadd e zaria 2ndly, those are the maximum punishments and therefore even if they are understood as “timeless” they do not become a hinderance in applying better ways to prevent crimes or cure criminal minds if technology makes it possible in the future. Based on the above discussion, am I right in concluding that hikmah is timeless but the shriah is time-bond. It was meant for the time and the people of the prophet SW, In other cultures or times it should be followed with care and only where the letter does not kill the spirit?