In every generation, voices arise claiming that Islamic Law (Sharee’ah) no longer fits modern life — that times have changed, and so must the Sharee’ah. But is this true? This article examines these misconceptions and provides a clear response based on Qur’anic evidence and the timeless nature of Allah’s legislation.

Many people, especially the youth, are under the notion that many legal laws (Islamic laws) are not applicable in our present-day life. They say, “Religious texts were revealed in a time or place that was of a different state or setting than what we are in now. Therefore, it is very difficult to apply Islamic Law in the present, daily life.”

Others claim that they don’t want to obstruct the principle of applying the Sharee’ah in present times, but they say, “It is very difficult to apply some of the legal rules in the present time, so we have to pass over them and find something else, something more flexible in the present state.”

Those who say that they know the Dunya (world) has changed, are saying this in order to oppose or reject a legal Hukm (ruling). In fact, in their hearts, they believe that the Sharee’ah is not suitable for application in the present life.

Or they are objecting to a particular legal ruling being applied, and not all the Sharee’ah. Their excuse is that the Dunya has changed.

How does one reply and refute such claims?

Bear in mind that the Sharee’ah (Islamic Law) has two main characteristics:

• Ath-Thuboot, which means permanency or constancy
• Ash-Shumool, which is comprehensiveness

First of all, it is important to note that the Sharee’ah is characterized with dominance at all times and in all places because this Sharee’ah is the last Sharee’ah with which Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) sealed all the previous messages. Allaah made the Islamic Sharee’ah a guidance for the people until the establishment of the Hour. Therefore, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) made many laws and rulings in our Sharee’ah that pertain to each and every detailed matter in our lives.

Secondly, but with no less importance, is the messenger-ship of Prophet Muhammad (SallaAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) which is general for all people, fulfilling all what they need. This is therefore the most important characteristic of the Islamic Sharee’ah. If a person would just read the revelation, many matters would be discovered, including the broadness of the Sharee’ah.

The revelation is explained as follows:

1) The Oneness of Allaah in the right of the Tashree’, meaning Allaah is the Only One Who legislates the laws. He is the One Who has the right of setting laws. This is because the Hukm (Decision) belongs to Allaah Alone. So whoever claims that the Sharee’ah, the Hukm of Allaah is not suitable for a certain time or a certain place, indicates one’s sharing with Allaah (Azza wa Jall) in the Decision, and gives the slave the right of Tashree’, which is not right. The slave has no right to set legislations. This is a sole right of Allaah (Azza wa Jall), as Allaah mentions in Surat Yusuf (12:40):

إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allaah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.

2) There is no Hukm, no law or decision better than the Hukm of the Sharee’ah. So, whoever is seeking Hukm other than the Sharee’ah, then he is seeking Hukm al-Jahiliyyah, the law of the time of ignorance. And Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) praised the Sharee’ah absolutely; that it is suitable for every place and time, and He dispraised other than what He has legislated. Allaah says that clearly in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:50):

أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ

Do they then seek the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgment than Allaah (Ta’ala) for a people who have firm Faith.

3) The revelation also indicates the perfection of Islamic Law/ Sharee’ah, as well as indicating the perfection and completeness of the favor of Allaah (Azza wa Jall). Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:3):

ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمَ دِينًا

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you, Islam as your religion.

Whoever claims that the Tashree’ (Islamic law) is particular only to a certain time or place, it is as if he is claiming that the Sharee’ah is not complete and not perfect, and needs to be completed or it needs to be added to according to the places and times. The seriousness of this matter is worthy of being noted, as its consequences however small, can be detrimental.

So, whoever says that the Sharee’ah is particular only to a certain time like the time of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or that place only, it is as if he is accusing the Sharee’ah of being deficient, of not being complete. And this contradicts what Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:3).

4) The Sharee’ah is characterized with giving a detailed explanation of everything the creation needs in their life. It includes everything that humans need, without being restricted to a certain environment, time, or place, and this is clearly mentioned in Surat An-Nahl (16:89):

وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تِبْيَٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

And We have sent down to you, the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allaah as Muslims).

5) That the texts of the Sharee’ah, whether Qur’an or Hadeeth, are protected and preserved and there is no change in them or their rulings. Allaah (Ta’ala) clearly mentions in Surat Al-Hijr (15:9):

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ

Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).

So, if a person says that the Sharee’ah is not suitable during current times or in our present lives, then it would be in vain or not logical to have been preserved through all these generations. Because when Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) said that it is preserved or guarded, this means that it requires us to act upon it and carry out its commands. And Allaah (Azza wa Jall) is free of doing anything in vain. Therefore, it is very important to understand when Allaah (Ta’ala) says that ‘We have guarded or preserved the Dhikr’, it means that it is preserved till the Day of Judgment and this requires us to act upon it and carry out what it has of commands in it. Otherwise, preserving it is of no use or benefit; and Allaah is free of doing something with no reason.

Also, Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ar-Ra’d (13:41):

وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِۦۚ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

And Allaah judges, there is none to put back His Judgment and He is Swift at reckoning.

This is another proof that the text of the Sharee’ah is preserved.

6) Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) gave glad tidings to the creation about the dominance of the Sharee’ah laws, and there is no chance for anyone to legislate after Allaah (Azza wa Jall), as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Tawbah (9:33):

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ

It is He Who has sent His Messenger [Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah) hate (it).

7) Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) commanded us in the Qur’an to judge according to the Sharee’ah and it is obligatory to judge between the people with the Qur’an and Sunnah. Whenever any dispute arises, it is a must to go to the Qur’an and Sunnah to settle any conflict or any problem. And the believer has no choice other than going back to the Sharee’ah in all his disputes. And this is clearly mentioned in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:65):

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against Your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.

This was mentioned in the context of the hypocrites because they are the ones who don’t abide by the law of Allaah (Azza wa Jall) in their disputes. Also, Allaah (Ta’ala) mentions in Surat Al-Ahzaab (33:36):

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, that they should have any option in their decision.

These are all clear evidences that indicate the obligation of applying Allaah’s Law, Allaah’s Sharee’ah; and does not pertain to a certain place or time. Rather, this Sharee’ah is for all times and places. So whoever says that the Sharee’ah is only particular to the time of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and not now, then it is as if he has said that Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) obligated something which we are not supposed to take or which is not suitable for us to take, rather taking it is considered a mischief or corruption for us, astaghfirallaah, or that we are unable to do it. So these are all kinds of accusing Allaah (Azza wa Jall) in His Wisdom, His Hukm and in His Actions (Jalla Jalaluhu) and Allaah (Azza wa Jall) is free of doing or setting something obligatory upon us in vain, or to be suitable only for the time of Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and not suitable for us now.

Whoever declares that the matter of the religion is not suitable for this century actually has a very serious incorrect belief.

In conclusion:

1) The characteristic of the Qur’anic speech is generality, without being restricted to a certain time or place.

2) Allaah (Azza wa Jall) is the absolute Hakam, the Absolute Judge and Ruler (Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala), and it is obligatory upon us to obey Him, and forbidden to digress from His Rulings. And obedience to Him is not particular to a certain time or place. Rather, obeying Allah (Azza wa Jall) should be throughout our lives, at all times and in every detail of our lives. In fact, these people who claim that the Islamic Sharee’ah is not applicable for the present time or place, actually have two problems:

• They don’t really know who Allaah is – Al-Hakam, the Judge.
• They don’t understand the nature of Islamic Law, which is related to or pertaining to the Dunya or the people. They don’t understand that the Sharee’ah of Islam is really a comprehensive religion with comprehensive laws. It includes both the Dunya and the Akhirah.

Therefore, because of their ignorance, they don’t understand these two main matters.

Source:

  Zukhruf Al-Qawl by ‘Abdullaah ibn Salih Al-Ejairi and Dr. Fahad ibn Salih Al-Ajlan