al_etidaal_gn

these amendments and changes there was bound to be differences among the various
religions.
Says the Quran:
“Says the foolish ones among men: ‘What has turned them away from the Qibla
which they were observing. Say to them Mohammed, to Allah belongs the east and (he
west. He guides whomsoever He wishes to the right path’ “(2.142).
As the sole Master of the Universe, Allah has the right that for a Qibla for the Ummah
he may fix any direction He wishes. No one has any right to ask him the cause for his
actions. And so also Allah has enjoined various commands and ordinances for various
religions throughout the ages. And for as long as those ordinances were in force it
was obligatory to carry them out. When later other orders were given, those new ones
became compulsory to be obeyed. So, this idea that there should be one set of
regulations for all times is quite irrational.
“For every Ummat of you we have made a special Shariah Law and path. And if we
had desired (to keep all on one path) we would have (Jews, Christians, Muslims),
made you one Ummat. But that He may try you by that Shariah which He had given
you. “(V v 18)
Secondly the causes for dissent in religions on secondary, non-basic, non-
fundamental matters (furoo-i) and minor details comes not so much from scriptural
sources but from practical acts and passing events. This has been well explained by
Shah Walyullah (Rahmatullah Alayh) in his book AlInsaaf, and I have given some
detail about these in my discussion on the differences of opinion among the ulema.
From those passing events and incidents certain laws were deduced. It is natural that
human beings differ in understanding from each other. Everyone has not the same
power of understanding. The result is that because of the understanding and reasoning
powers of various individuals, different conclusions were reached. But then it should
be noted that the Shariat made this type of deduction (ijtihad) permissible if done
under special regulations. So what cause for anxiety is there?
It is surprising that people daily tell their children: “You are still young and
inexperienced to understand. When you are older you will surely come to
understand.”
Yet we consider ourself so perfect in understanding, perfect in intelligence and
wisdom that we try to fully understand the Quranic verses which (Allah forbid) even
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) found inaccessible, and sO also the Saliabah
(Radiallahu anhum). We claim to understand even better than the Sahabah
(Radiallahu anhum) and Tabi-een even though we do not come near to these people
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 173