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PSL 0012 Introduction To Syariah Law Tutorial Week 2: Chapter 1
PSL 0012 Introduction To Syariah Law Tutorial Week 2: Chapter 1
Syariah is derived from the word “syara’a” which in Arabic means “the
way”, as according to Al-Quran (45:18), Allah stated that there is an ordained
way about religion. Moreover, Syariah can be defined as “the path leading to
the water”, which is the way to the very source of life and means the way
Muslims are to live as according to Al-Quran (5:48), Allah stated that it is to us
that He prescribed a law and a method. Furthermore, according to Al-Quran
(42:13), Allah stated that he has ordained us a religion and Allah chooses for
himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back to him.
Literally speaking, Syariah is the guidance, the teachings, the rulings and the
way of life. Allah s.w.t also sent through His Messengers for humanity to attain
success in this world and hereafter.
(b) based on Scholars
There are several scholars which defined Syariah based on their perspective.
The first scholar is Omar Solaiman Al-Ashqar. According to Omar Solaiman
Al-Ashqar, Syariah has several meanings which are the beginning or the start of
something, clarity and obviousness, a path to a source of water, the clear way or
path to reach something. The second scholar is Izzaddin Abdassalam.
According to Izzaddin Abdassalam Syariah is based on two principles, which
are Jalbal Masalih which means to accrue benefit and Dar’ul Mafasid which
means to avoid or ward off harms. The third Scholar is Ibnu Qayyim al-
Jawziyyah. According to Ibnu Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, the Shariah aims at
safeguarding people’s interest in this world and the next; ‘In its entirety, it is
justice, mercy and wisdom.’
There are nine Quranic description on Syariah. The first one is Islamic Law
calls human to believe in the Oneness of Allah (subhanahu wata’ala). According
to Al-Quran (5:44) It was stated that “Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in
which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by
it for the Jews, as did the rabbits and scholars by that with which they were
entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So, do not
fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My versus for a small price.
And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who
are the disbelievers”. Whereas Al-Quran (2:2) states that: “This is the Book
about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah”. This
means that the law comes from Allah (subhanahu wata’ala). By believing in the
oneness of Allah (subhanahu wata’ala), humans are responsible to implement
the law. Human beings do not have authority to amend or change the law. They
must follow and obey the law.
The second Quranic description on Syariah is educating the individual
(Tahdhib al-Fard). The primary focus of Islam is on the individual in the sense
that it inspires the believer with faith and instils in him the qualities of being
trustworthy and righteous. It is through reforming the individual that Islam aims
at achieving its social goals as according to Al-Quran (29:45), it is stated that:
“Recite. [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and
establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the
remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.”
Whereas according to Al-Quran (1:5), it was stated that: “It is You we worship
and You we ask for help.” Here we do not use the word ‘I’ but ‘we’ to show
that the prayer not only concerns the individual but well-being of the
community as a whole. Prayer is being considered as Wajib. There are several
benefits of prayer. The first is to promote punctuality. This is because there is a
definite time in which to discharge the obligation of prayer and the purpose of
observing punctuality is to educate the individual. Next is facing Ka’abah. This
is a social education to all people to face the same direction. Moreover,
performing prayer in congregation nurtures a unitied purpose, equality and
solidarity among worshippers as well as facilitating social encounter in a
peaceful environment. And finally, the prayer ends by uttering the phrase,
‘Peace and blessing of God to His worthy servants’: a declaration of goodwill
towards one’s fellow human beings.