Ain Al-Hayat, The Essence of Life.pdf - Higher Intellect | Content ...

THE SECOND RAY OF LIGHT:
DIFFERENCES IN JURISPRUDENCE AND CENSURE OF
HYPOCRICY
The superior Prophets (a.s.) were all endowed with their own Shariah
(Jurisprudence) that was relevant to their times. The Prophet of Islam (a.s.) too
brought with him the perfect Shariah. If there was juridical change with each
prophet (a.s.), it doesn’t mean that the earlier laws were defective in any manner.
Since the followers of Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) were very mischievous, stringent
punishments were prescribed to reform them.. It was the rule, for example, that if
someone got some urine splashed on his body , the skin of that part was peeled off.
For murder, there was no other punishment than death.
The people of Hazrat Eesa (a.s.) were mild natured. They were not required to do
Jehad. Capital punishment was not practiced. Celibacy and living like hermits was
in vogue.
The people of our Prophet (a.s.) were moderates. The Shariah, therefore, is middle
of the road. For the crime of murder, Qasas (life-for-life) and Deet ( payment of
blood money) are both permitted. In cases of bodily harm, the right to pardon has
been given to the sufferer or his successors in the event of his death.
INNOVATION EXPLAINED
Interpreting or changing the Shariah using ones inept and unbefitting intellect is
apostasy and heresy. Getting misled by Satan and praying with ones own intuition
and considering this as nearness to Allah is gross ignorance ( Jehalat). Our intellects
are a combination of good, bad and indifferent. The Prophets (a.s.), on the other
hand, have been endowed with superior intellects and the laws enunciated by them
have Allah’s seal of approval. Any deviation from them is hypocrisy and heresy. For
example: a pious Christian celibate thinks that if he died inflicting hardship on
himself in seclusion, he would earn nearness to God! This is sheer misguided
ignorance.
Bidaa (innovation) means declaring things taboo that are termed good by Allah and
declaring things good that are taboo according to the dictates of the Almighty. For
example, Allah has allowed (Mustaheb) offering of prayers (optional) without
restriction of timing. But if someone thinks that he should offer prayer exactly at the
time of sunset thinking that Allah has strictly prescribed that timing is sheer
innovation and is haram. Hazrat Omar has prescribed six Rakaat (acts of standing,
genuflection and prostration) of optional (sunnati) prayer exactly at the time of midmorning
(chasht). This is an innovation and Haram. Our Imams (a.s.) have
forbidden this practice. Similarly if some one offers three rakat of optional (Sunnati)