Why Are Laws Made and Why To Take References From Quran & Sunnah?

1. Introduction:      Ancient Greek aristocrats were the first to make laws thousands of years ago. Since those laws always favored the affluent class, therefore the lower section of the society made use of; ethics, values and moral to demand their rights.
2. Why Laws Are Required?    Laws are required to control people, because in absence of rules & regulations, it will be impossible for a ruler, or a CEO or head of a family to control & manage affairs of; a country, a company and even a household.
3. The Primary Lesson Given by Islam:               Islam teaches us lesson of 'equality and justice'. With regards to the above, it is pertinent to quote following two Hadith, which sets very high standards of ‘equality & justice’.
4. Equality:   The following extract is from last sermon of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. which was delivered on ninth day of Zul-Hijjah 10 A.H. (630 A.D). “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good deeds”.
5. Justice:      When Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. was informed that Fatima Mukhzumiyah had committed theft, he punished her according to laws of Islam concerning theft and did not regard the intercession of Asamata ibn Zayd in this respect, HE said; 'The ruin and downfall of the preceding peoples was due to the fact that they did not enforce the laws of punishment in the case of the aristocrats and the people of status. I swear by the One in Whose hands is my life that even if Fatima al-Zahra (His own daughter) had committed such a sin, I would cut off her hand.'
6. Rules and Guidelines are Necessary:   Just like every gadget or equipment requires a manual. (i) Similarly along with humans, Allah SWT has sent down holy books including Al-Quran and Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. has left behind his Sunnah. (ii) The two aforementioned sacred gifts not only provide guidance, but also set rules and tell us about dos and don’ts. (iii) The foundation of any society has to be based on; (a) strong foundation of ‘equality & justice’, (b) otherwise it will experience socioeconomic injustice, (c) which will result in giving birth of social evils and (d) we are seeing enough and its different types all over the world.
7. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely:              When one or a group of people become very powerful and get authoritative; (i) then they set rules, which only favors them and (ii) the supreme lesson of ‘equality & justice’ is paid no heed to. (iii) The absolute power may motivate to frame certain rules e.g. which can be inhumane. For example, until recently we saw the following reading outside public places; ‘Black & Dogs are not allowed’. Since it was a rule, therefore people were obliged to abide by it and its violation was subject to punishment.
8. Use of Riba or Interest in Businesses and Economies:                  In a similar manner, since it is permitted under the prevailing lopsided laws that (i) capital will carry a price in shape of ‘interest’ and (ii) capitalists can leverage themselves by taking loan from banks and (iii) governments can borrow for deficit financing and to meet expenses etc. (iv) Then, it is very difficult that (a) we would be able to develop harmony in societies or (b) we would be able to tackle big economic issues like; inflation, poverty, low production, unemployment etc.
9. Guidance from Quran & Sunnah: Indeed, Allah SWT has designed us in such a manner that (i) we are free to do whatever we want and (ii) we can use our ‘free-will’ to take choices / decisions. (iii) But this liberty may not always helps us to achieve goals, as per Shariah (vi) The people / group with authority (a) may set immoral rules or (b) may resort to unnatural practices, (c) but that does not mean that this freedom or exploitation to make lopsided rules & regulations will enable them to establish harmonious societies / economies.
10. It Is Our Responsibility:                 Therefore, the onus is upon us to explore & discover the true systems; (i) whether political, economic, social etc, which is inculcated by Quran & Hadith, (ii) if we want to be successful in this world and in hereafter. (iii) Otherwise, the life may go on, but we may continue to remain astray. (iv) With regards to business & economics, it is vital to ensure that (a) the element of ‘exploitation’ is removed (b) equal opportunities are made available to all sections of our societies (c) so that there is harmony (d) which keeps a check that rich do not become richer and more powerful and (e) lower income group should not become poorer and in increasing numbers.
11. It is Not The Duty of Welfare Organizations:  No charity or welfare work can give desired respite on a long-term basis to lower income groups. (i) The thing, which can change their future and ensure socioeconomic justice is that; (ii) when we pass a law that (a) ‘interest’ is forbidden and (b) each capitalist has to carry-out real economic activity to earn his reward (iii) when capitalists would not allowed to borrow to leverage their positions and (iv) when all sections of our societies will become equal shareholder in projects by way of contribution, (v) then In Shaa Allah we will practically observe that the theme of ‘equality & justice’ is prevalent in our economies.

May Allah SWT guide us all to remain on the straight and truthful path (Aameen).