Date : 30-09-2021
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Does Quran provide solutions to problems of humanity?
Quran has the perfect solutions for the problems of mankind. Since All-Mighty God Allah is the Creator of everything, it is imperative that He knows what is best for his creation. Allah says in Surah Ibrahim Chapter 14 Verse 1:
Alif, Lam, Ra [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy
A few examples are:
One of the teachings of the Qur’an which guides to that which is best is qisaas (retaliatory execution), because if a person gets angry and wants to kill someone else, but then he remembers that if he kills him, he will be killed (executed) in return, he will fear the consequences and thus will refrain from killing him. So, the one whom he wanted to kill will live, and he himself will also live, because he did not kill him and was not killed in retaliation. And executing the killer will result in saving the lives of many people, whose number no one knows except Allah, as we have stated above. Allah, may He be exalted, says:
And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisaas (retaliatory execution), O men of understanding, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:179].
Undoubtedly this is one of the most equitable and fair of ways, and thus it has been noted throughout the world, in the past and at present, how little murder occurs in countries that are ruled in accordance with the Book of Allah, because qisaas is a deterrent to the crime of murder, as Allah says in the verse quoted above.
What the enemies of Islam claim, that qisaas is not in accordance with wisdom, because it reduces the numbers of people in society by killing a second person after the first one died, and that he should be punished in a way other than execution, such as being imprisoned, and he may father a child whilst he is detained, thus increasing the numbers of people in society, all of that is an invalid argument and is devoid of wisdom, because detention does not deter people from killing, and if the punishment did not serve as a deterrent, then the foolish people would commit a lot of murders, thus exacerbating the reduction in numbers as a result of widespread killing.
Poverty is one of the calamities that happens, either to a specific person or a family or a society. Poverty has negative effects on people’s beliefs and conduct. Immoral behaviour becomes widespread to a large extent because of poverty, as a means of meeting people’s needs, so theft and murder and a sale of crimes become widespread. Undoubtedly these things have a negative effect on individuals and societies.
The means that have been prescribed by Islam to solve the problem of poverty and combat it are as follows:
Encouragement to work and earn a living, and to travel in the land to seek provision.
Allah says:
He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e., easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so, walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection" [al-Mulk 67:15]
"Then when the (Jumu‘ah) Salaah (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful" [Surah al-Jumu’ah 63:10]
Making zakaah obligatory on the wealth of the rich
Allah has granted the poor a share of zakaah, which is to be given to the poor to keep, and is to be given until he becomes independent of means and is no longer poor.
Allah says:
"As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise" [al-Tawbah 9:60]
And those in whose wealth there is a recognised right for the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth (and his means of living has been straitened)” [al-Ma’aarij 70:24, 25].
Encouragement to give charity, set up waqfs and sponsor orphans and widows.
Allah says:
"So, keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey, and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones" [al-Taghaabun 64:16]
"And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers" [Saba’ 34:39]
Prohibition on riba (usury), gambling and deceit in selling
Allah says:
O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribaa (from now onward) if you are (really) believers.
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums)” [al-Baqarah 2:278-279]
Islam relieves man of poverty by means of zakaah and charity that are given by the rich. This is the share of their wealth that the poor are entitled to.