Can we interpret Islam by simply using our logic?
By
Shais
- Introduction
- Can we interpret Islam by simply using our logic?
- What will happen if we interpret Islam by simply using our logic.
1. Introduction
This article is a reply to those people who say that we can interpret Islam by simply using our common sense and logic. These people do not interpret Islam the way the Prophet (pbuh) and the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) did.
- Can we interpret Islam by simply using our logic?
Islam comes from the Arabic word “Silm” or “Aslama” which means to “submit your will to Allah”. Islam does not mean that we should submit our will according to our logic. Islam means to submit our wills to the one who is The Most Wise. Therefore, we cannot simply interpret Islam using our logic. Allah (SWT) commands us in the Quran to obey what Allah says and obey what the messenger of Allah (SAW) said. The Quran says
“Say: "Obey Allah and His Messenger.: But if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.” (Quran 3:32)
In the above verse the Quran declares that person who disobeys Allah and his messenger (SAW) as a “kafir”. So we have to listen to Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (pbuh) and do what they command us to do. The Quran also forbids us to have our opinion in matters which have been decided by Allah and his messenger. In other words, the Quran FORBIDS us from using our logic to agree or disagree to things which Allah or the Prophet (pbuh) have said. The Quran says
“It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (Quran 33:36)
In the above verse Quran clearly states that those who disobey Allah and his messenger are on the wrong path. Allah also tells us to follow the path of the Prophet (pbuh) and that of the believers (referring to Sahabas).
“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination.” (Quran 4:115)
So the above verses clearly lay down how is Islam to be interpreted. We can’t simply interpret Islam using our feeble logic and reasoning. Though there is wisdom behind many do’s and dont’s in Islam.
- What will happen if we interpret Islam by simply using our logic.
Now I’ll show how we can simply mess up the whole religion if we interpret and follow it by simply using our logic.
(i) Pig is not unlawful
Reason? You see in those days pigs use to live in filth and dirt and they contained many diseases but today we got nice clean pig farms and we can inject the pigs and make them free from any disease. So pig is Halal.
(ii) We don’t need to do Wudu (ablution) before Salaat (prayers) anymore
Reason? You know in those days there used to be a lot of dust etc in the deserts of
Where do you stop?
(iii) We don’t need to pray anymore
Reason? Because one of the reasons the Quran gives for offering Salaat is to prevent us from shameful and unjust deeds (Quran 29:45). But I don’t do any shameful and unjust deeds. So its not required for me to pray.
(iv) We don’t need to fast anymore in the month of Ramadan.
The reason the Quran gives for fasting is to create piety and self-restraint (Quran 2:183). But I am already pious and God-fearing. So I don’t need to fast anymore. Hurray!!
(v) Wearing of Hijab is not compulsory
Reason? The reason the Quran gives for wearing Hijaab is so that the women may be protected from mischief and molestation and so that they may be recognized as believing women (Quran 33:59). But today we are living in a ‘modern’ society and if I don’t wear the hijaab nobody would make mischief with me. So wearing of hijaab is not compulsory.
(vi) Its not required to keep the trousers above the ankles
Reason? In those days the ground used to be dusty, but today we got tiles. So its not required to follow that Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)
(vii) Its permitted to rob
Reason? I am robbing the rich and helping the poor.
(viii) Drinking wine is permitted
In those days wine did not use to be of good quality and one drinking it could easily get intoxicated. But today good quality wine is available and if I drink little bit I won’t get intoxicated. So wine is halal.
Where do you stop? Is this the way we are to interpret the Deen of Allah? This is what will happen if we start interpreting the True Religion of Allah by simply using our feeble logic. A Muslim is not the one who submits to his own logic but a Muslim is the one who submits to Allah. There is a lot of wisdom behind many laws of Allah but a Muslim does’t submit to his own wisdom but to Allah. If someone tries to find out the wisdom behind some things its no problem, because a person gets conviction and his beliefs gets stronger if he knows the wisdom. But if someone only follows it because he has a wisdom and doesn’t follow because he has no wisdom, then that person has submitted simply to his wisdom and not to Allah. The approach of a believer is. The Quran says
“The Messenger (Muhammad SAW) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" - and they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)." (Quran 2:285)
The approach of the True Believer is “We hear and we obey”.
May Allah guide us all to the Truth.
