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Chapter I : Principles Values and General Concepts
This Chapter discusses the general principles, governing values, and regulating concepts that are necessary to reach the correct understanding of the family system in Islam. They are considered comprehensive principles that regulate the branches and the details of the family system. Each section of this Chapter is considered a comprehensive title under which these principles fall. This Chapter is composed of the following five sections:
Section One : The Divine Mission of Man
This Section discusses the primary goal for which man was created. It also deals with the ways in which Allah has prepared and enabled man to achieve this goal. This subject is covered in two articles:
Article (1)
Worshipping Allah and Spreading Civilization on Earth
Allah honored man and distinguished him above many of His other creations. He chose man to be His caliph on Earth, to spread civilization therein by working to provide for his physical and spiritual needs; building a human society governed by the ideal values of truth, beneficence, and justice; and achieving the significance of worshipping Allah and having faith in Him Alone, and setting Him apart from His creation to be obeyed and worshipped according to the manner of His prophets and messengers.
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This Article clarifies some of the general principles and values that govern man's mission on Earth. It begins by clarifying the details that distinguish man over all other creations, as Allah the Exalted says:
[ وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي البَرِّ والْبَحْرِ ورَزَقْنَاهُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلاً ] (الإسراء: 70)
[And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.] (17: 70)
Then He clarified the objective behind man's creation; so that man would strive to spread civilization on Earth, thereby allowing him to fulfill his spiritual and physical needs, as Allah the Exalted says:
[ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الأَرْضِ واسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا] (هود: 61)
[ . It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein.] (11: 61)
Likewise, He says:
[ وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالإِنْسَ إِلاَّ لِيَعْبُدُونِ] (الذاريات: 56)
[And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me. ] (51: 56)
Also, He says:
[ هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الأَرْضَ ذَلُولاً فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِهِ وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ ] (الملك: 15)
[It is He who made the earth tame for you so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision and to Him is the resurrection. ] (67: 15)
And He says:
[ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ] (الملك: 20)
[ [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed and He is the Exalted in Might, the Most Forgiving] (67: 2)
Man was also created to build a human society, as Allah the Exalted says:
[ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وأُنثَى وجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ ] (الحجرات: 13)
[O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware. ] (49: 13)
This society is ruled by the highest virtues; including truth, beneficence, and justice. With regard to the virtue of truth, Allah the Exalted says:
[ يَا دَاوُودُ إنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ ولا تَتَّبِعِ الهَوَى فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إنَّ الَذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ] (ص: 26)
[ [We said]: O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account. ] (38:26)
He also says:
[ ولا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إلاّ بِالْحَقِّ] (الأسراء: 33)
[And do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except for a just cause.] (17: 33)
Likewise, He says:
[ إنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ ويَبْغُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الحَقِّ أُوْلَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ] (الشورى: 42)
[The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth, for such there will be a painful torment. ] (42: 42)
The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) said, "Speak the truth, even if it is bitter."[1] He also said, "There is no charity more beloved to Allah than to speak the truth."[2]
In reference to the virtue of beneficence, Allah the Exalted says:
[ يَا أَيُّهَا الَذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ] (الحج: 77)
[O you who believe! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful. ] (22: 77)
He also says:
[ ولْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إلَى الخَيْرِ] (آل عمران: 104)
[And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right... ] (3: 104)
Likewise, He says:
[ وأَوْحَيْنَا إلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الخَيْرَاتِ ] (الأنبياء: 73)
[. and We inspired them to do good deeds.] (21: 73)
With regard to the virtue of justice, Allah the Exalted says:
[ إنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الأَمَانَاتِ إلَى أَهْلِهَا وإذَا حَكَمْتُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَن تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِ إنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا ] (النساء: 58)
[Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing. ] (4: 58)
He also says:
[ إنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ والإحْسَانِ وإيتَاءِ ذِي القُرْبَى ويَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ والْمُنكَرِ والْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ] (النحل: 90)
[Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you might be reminded. ] (16: 90)
Allah the Exalted also says:
[ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآَنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلاّ تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ] (المائدة: 8)
[O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. ] (5: 8)
Man was also created to achieve the implications of worshipping Allah and having faith in Him Alone; distinguishing Him from His creation in His sole right to be obeyed and worshipped as did His prophets and messengers, as Allah the Exalted says:
[ ومَا خَلَقْتُ الجِنَّ والإنسَ إلا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ] (الذاريات: 56)
[And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. ] (51: 56)
He also says:
[ ومَا أُمِرُوا إلا لِيَعْبُدُوا إلَهًا واحِدًا لا إلَهَ إلا هُوَ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ] (التوبة: 31)
[. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him. ] (9: 31)
Allah the Exalted also says:
[ ومَا أُمِرُوا إلا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ ويُقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ ويُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وذَلِكَ دِينُ القَيِّمَةِ ] (البينة: 5)
[And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakaah. And that is the correct religion. ] (98: 5)
He also says:
[ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ] (الانبياء: 25)
[And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, There is no deity except Me, so worship Me. ] (21: 25)
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Article (2)
Providing Man With the Necessary Qualities to Undertake This Mission
In order to accomplish his mission on Earth, Allah granted man the necessary intellectual, psychological, and physical abilities to make him qualified to fulfill this mission. Likewise, He sent messengers to lead man to the straightest path of guidance and success, in this life and in the Hereafter.
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This Article clarifies the abilities and talents that Allah has bestowed upon man to enable him to achieve his mission on Earth. Allah the Glorious and Exalted granted him mental faculties, as Allah the Exalted says:
[ وَاللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُمْ مِنْ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالأَبْصَارَ وَالأَفْئِدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ] (النحل: 78)
[And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful.] (16: 78)
Likewise, Allah the Exalted gave man psychological and physical abilities. He says about these:
[ اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ] (غافر: 64)
[Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of all creation.] (40: 64)
Likewise, He says:
[ الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّى] (الأعلي: 2)
[[He] Who has created [everything], and then proportioned it] (87: 2)
Allah also says:
[ لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ ] (التين: 4)
[We have certainly created man in the best of stature] (95: 4)
This Article also clarifies the blessing that Allah bestowed upon mankind by sending messengers to lead them to the straightest path of sound guidance and success, in this life and in the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted says:
[ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولاً أَنِ اُعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ] (النحل: 36)
[And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid false gods.".] (16: 36)
He also says:
[ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ رُسُلاً إِلَى قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَاءُوهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ] (الروم:47)
[And We have already sent messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear proofs.])30:47)
Likewise, He says:
[ هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَى وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ ] (الفتح: 28)
[It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth.] (48: 28)
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Section Two: Man's Divinely Inspired Nature and the Universal Norms
This Section discusses some of the universal norms related to the creation of man and man's relationship with other humans. Allah instilled these norms within His creation to govern their way of life. This Section includes three Articles, and each Article clarifies one of these norms.
Article (3)
Possession of Mental Faculties and the Will to Change
Allah created man with the innate tendency to believe in Him. At the same time, He granted man the intellect and will that allow him to stray from his fitrah (divinely inspired nature), or to develop his abilities according to his knowledge, spiritual gifts, and social conditions. It is the existence of this intellect and this will that is the precondition for the reward or punishment that man will be dealt in the Hereafter.
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This Article addresses one of the norms in Allah's creation: Possession of mental faculties and the will to change. The Article clarifies that faith has been instilled within man's being, within the depths of his sentiment, and in the essence of his creation. Likewise, it also clarifies that Allah granted man intellect and will by which he is able to change his beliefs; either deviating from them or furthering them. This is based on the noble verse of the Qur'an:
[ فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ ] (الروم: 30)
[So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.] (30: 30)
Similarly the Messenger of Allah (may blessings and peace be upon him) said, " Each child is born in a state of "fitrah", then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian."[3]
This mental faculty and will is in fact a condition for the punishment or reward in the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted says:
[ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بَصَائِرُ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنَا عَلَيْكُمْ بِحَفِيظٍ ] (الأنعام : 104)
[There has come to you enlightenment from your Lord. So whoever will see does so for [the benefit of] his soul, and whoever is blind [does harm] against it. And [say], "I am not a guardian over you." ] (6:104 )
He also says:
[ وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِنْ وَمَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ] (الكهف: 29)
[And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills let him believe; and whoever wills let him disbelieve"... ] (18: 29)
Likewise, He says:
[ إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا ] (الأنسان: 3)
[Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful. ] (76: 3)
Allah the Exalted also says:
[ وَلَوْ شَاَءَ رَبُّكَ لآَمَنَ مَنْ فِي الأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا أَفَأَنْتَ تُكْرِهُ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ ] (يونس: 99)
[And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers? ] (10: 99)
The basis for this is also found in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may blessings and peace be upon him), "The pen has been lifted from three [i.e. their deeds are not recorded]; from one who is sleeping until he awakens, from the child until he reaches maturity, and from the insane until he becomes sane."[4]
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Article (4)
The Equality in the Origin of Creation and the Variation in Distinguishing Characteristics
Allah created all of mankind equal in the origin of their creation from one soul. Thus it follows, that they are equal in their general characteristics. Despite this, Allah's wisdom dictated that they should differ in some of their individual characteristics such as strength and weakness, talents, and psychological, mental, and physical abilities.
This human variation in some special characteristics is the foundation of life, as it causes individuals and societies to get to know, cooperate, and complete each other; as opposed to being an invitation to animosity and hatred.
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In the context of clarifying the norms that Allah has instilled in His creation, this Article clarifies that Allah created all of mankind to be equal in the source of their creation from one soul, and thus it follows that they are equal in their general characteristics. Allah the Exalted says:
[ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ واحِدَةٍ وخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيرًا ونِسَاءً ] (النساء: 1)
[O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.] (4: 1)
He also says:
[ وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إذَا أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ] (الروم: 20)
[And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth]. ] (30: 20)
Likewise, the Messenger of Allah (may blessings and peace be upon him) said, "All of mankind are the sons of Adam, and Adam was created from dust."[5]
Allah's wisdom dictated that they should differ in some of their individual characteristics such as strength and weakness, talents, and psychological, mental, and physical abilities and this is a social phenomenon that is witnessed and felt, and does not require any further evidence. Allah the Exalted says:
[ الله الَذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَهُوَ العَلِيمُ القَدِيرُ] (الروم: 54)
[Allah is the one who created you from [a state of] weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Competent. ] (30: 54)
He also says:
[ إنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي العِلْمِ والْجِسْمِ واللَّهُ يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَاءُ واللَّهُ واسِعٌ عَلِيمٌُ] (البقرة: 247)
(.Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and All-Knowing.] (2: 247)
Likewise, He says:
[ وزَادَكُمْ فِي الخَلْقِ بَسْطَةً فَاذْكُرُوا آلاءَ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ] (الأعراف: 69)
[.And remember when He made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.] (7:69)
This human variation in some special characteristics is the foundation of life as it causes individuals and societies to get to know, cooperate, and complete each other rather than being an invitation to animosity and hatred. Allah the Exalted says
[ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وأُنثَى وجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ] (الحجرات: 13)
[O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware. ] (49: 13)
He also says:
[ وتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى البِرِّ والتَّقْوَى ولا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإثْمِ والْعُدْوَانِ واتَّقُوا اللَّهَ](المائدة: 2)
[.And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah.] (5: 2)
He also says:
[ ولا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ واصْبِرُوا إنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ] (الأنفال: 46)
[. and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. ] (8: 46)
Article (5)
Integration of the Spouses; The Male and the Female
Despite the common origin of humanity's creation from one soul, Allah, with His Infinite Ability, created a pair from this soul; male and female. Only through contact, cooperation, and completing each other, can life continue, the civilization be spread, and the human race proliferate; this is the way that Allah has decreed for all of creation and things in this life.
It is only by way of the connection between man and woman that the family is formed, and the family is the first nucleus of human society.
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