Translation
You cannot achieve true piety and righteousness unless you offer to others what you love for yourself. Whatever need you fulfill for others by any means, God is always aware of such giving.193 All food [confirmed lawful in the Qur’an] was lawful to the children of Israel, prior to the revelation of the Torah, whereas the Children of Israel made certain restrictions unto themselves (on their own accord). Say to them, “Come forward with the Torah; let’s read together, and see if what you say is really true!” So, after this if anyone continues to lie against God, then that is a clear wrongdoing.194
Say [to them] that God speaks the truth [in the Qur’an] and that one should follow the guidance of Abraham, who was upright in his nature and was not a polytheist.
Interpretation
193. The notion of charity is central to the Islamic value system, and it is true of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other world religions. Being a responsible steward of God’s gift to us in terms of our provision, wealth, intelligence, good health, and so on and to strive to share these benefits with our family, relatives, neighbors, and larger communities are values we have in common with people of all faiths and even with people who lack faith. Any and all human beings in need should be entitled to charity, not just people from the same faith. Proactive and organized activities and charities that help to prevent conditions that lead people to being in need is the best of social activism and true charity. Free education for everyone, universal health care, and individual freedom are the cornerstones of human progress. The goal of organized charity should be directed to these overarching goals to meet the full essence of the concept of charity at the individual and collective level.
194. It appears that each religion (particularly Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) has curved out its own definition of what is lawful to eat and what is unlawful. Jewish dietary rules (especially kosher) are very detailed and somewhat complicated. The Qur’an attributes such complexity not due to what the Torah says but what Jews themselves have created on their own.
The Qur’an provided very simple guidance that pork in any form, any animal that is dead, animal blood, any animal that was not sacrificed with God’s name, any form of intoxicant such as wine, and so forth are forbidden. The Qur’an also stipulates that food of Jews and Christians, if they do not violate the above limited restrictions, are also lawful for Muslims. At another level, the Qur’an stipulates that anything that is wholesome and good for human consumption is a gift from God and should be acceptable. This is the appropriate orientation with respect to what is allowed (halal) and what is forbidden (haram). Unless something is specifically forbidden, it should be assumed to be acceptable.
Too many conservatives and fundamentalists want to make things forbidden unless specifically allowed—this is unacceptable and goes against the spirit of Islam and against the God-given latitude to humankind. The Prophet had warned that we should not make something forbidden what God had allowed regarding dietary rules, or any rules for that matter. This broad directive can also be applied to other areas of decision making affecting our individual and collectives lives.
REFLECTION
Questions of charity or dietary rules—all need to be viewed from the perspective of creating the human condition that leads to further development, fulfillment of human needs, and creature comfort as well as spiritual priorities. Unless we are purpose driven with core values directed at improving overall human conditions in our world, we will always come away short of what is humanly possible and short of what potential God has embedded in us as His special creation.
ACTION
Charity as an institution is very much neglected in the Muslim communities, and a social-safety network is nonexistent in many Muslim countries. The best form of charities will be free education, universal health care, and an empowered citizenship so as to create a level playing field for everyone to pursue life, liberty, and happiness from an individual and collective vantage point.