Qur’an: A Book of Guidance beyond Ramadan (Pt.3)

The Qur’an as a Book of Law and Legislation

The Qur’an is not just a book of spirituality; it provides laws that govern various aspects of life. Some of the legal principles found in the Qur’an include:

•Faith in Allah: The foun­dation of all laws, where belief in One God (Tawheed) is emphasised as the purpose of human existence (Qur’an 112:1-5).

•Marriage and Family: The Qur’an lays down clear guidelines for marriage, the rights and responsibilities of spouses, and the treatment of children (Qur’an 4:3, 4:34).

•Inheritance Laws: The divi­sion of wealth after a person’s death is carefully outlined in the Qur’an to ensure fairness and justice (Qur’an 4:11, 4:12, 4:176).

•Business Ethics: The Qur’an prohibits deception and pro­motes honesty in trade and contracts (Qur’an 4:29).

These laws provide the framework for a just society where fairness and morality are upheld.

The Quran and Major Pro­hibitions

1. Prohibition of Alcohol (Khamr) and Intoxicants

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for peo­ple. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gam­bling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid them that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the re­membrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?”

Explanation:

•Initially, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) acknowledges that alcohol has both benefits and harms but emphasises that the harms outweigh the benefits.

•Later, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) categorically prohib­its alcohol by calling it an act of Satan, leading to enmity and distraction from worship.

•The Quran and Islam promote self-control, mental clarity, and a healthy society, all of which are undermined by intoxication.

2. Prohibition of Gambling (Maisir)

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for peo­ple. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) (As mentioned above, pro­hibiting both intoxicants and gambling.)

Explanation:

•Gambling is addictive and leads to loss of wealth, social harm, and emotional distress.

•The verse warns that, like alcohol, gambling leads to enmity and hatred among people, diverting them from spiritual duties.

•Islam encourages earning wealth through honest work, not through chance-based games that exploit others.

3. Prohibition of Interest (Riba) on Loans

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275) “Those who devour usury (riba) will not stand except as stands one whom Satan has driven to madness by (his) touch. That is because they say: ‘Trade is just like usury,’ but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.”

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:278- 279) “O you who have be­lieved, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you re­pent, you may have your cap­ital—[thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.”

Surah Al-Imran (3:130) “O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.”

Explanation:

Interest-based transactions exploit the poor and create economic injustice.

The Qur’an makes it clear that Allah and His Messenger declare war against those who persist in usury.

Islamic finance promotes ethical investment and risk-sharing, ensuring fair economic transactions.

4. Prohibition of Fornica­tion and Adultery (Zina)

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Isra (17:32) “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is an immorality and an evil way.”

Surah An-Nur (24:2) “The woman and the man guilty of fornication—flog each one of them with a hundred lashes. Let not pity for them make you lenient in (the execution of) the law of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punish­ment.”

Explanation:

Islam protects family struc­tures and promotes modesty to maintain social harmony.

Surah Al-Isra (17:32) does not just prohibit zina—it even forbids coming close to it (e.g., through inappropriate interactions, pornography, etc.).

Surah An-Nur (24:2) pre­scribes legal consequences to deter fornication.

Marriage is encouraged as the lawful means of fulfilling desires in a responsible way.

* The writer is the Metro­politan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso

• By Imam Alhaji Saeed
  Abdulai, the Author