Translation
O People of Faith: Do not ask for (undue details) of things (regarding rules or guidance), to prevent such details from becoming burdensome for you. If you ask such details while the Qur’an is being revealed (or afterward from Prophet), these might indeed be revealed. God forgives this (some of your eagerness). God is Forgiving, Forbearing. People before (followers of previous revelations) have asked such questions and then failed to fulfill, thus becoming deniers.322
God does not ordain or require any animal to be segregated (to reserve for God and deny the benefit to humans as practiced under idolatry for man-made gods). Such devices are a fabrication of lies against God due to their lack of understanding (by most of them). When they are told: “Attend to what God had revealed and align with the Messenger,” they say: “We find sufficient the practices and ways of our forefathers.” But what if their forefathers did not have the knowledge or the guidance? O People of Faith: Take care of your soul by being responsible. If you are on the right path, the endeavors of those who err will not harm you. To God you all will come back, and He will certainly inform you about your doings.
O People of Faith: When your death approaches you and you make a will, call witnesses from among you or from outside, if you happen to travel and death befalls you—two persons of integrity. You should ask them after performing a prayer; if you feel doubtful about their integrity, then ask each to swear by God: “We will not take any gains for the sake of any relatives or hide this testimony before God. Otherwise, we will be committing a sin.” If it turns out (or is suspected) that these witnesses are guilty of such sin, then two others shall come forth whose rights have been violated, to witness against the first two and shall swear by God: “We consider our testimony truer than the testimony of these two, and we have not transgressed the boundary of what is right; for if we do, then we are committing an evil.” Such arrangement makes it more probable that the first party will give true testimony or will fear that other oaths will be taken (if warranted) after theirs. Be mindful of responsibility and strive (to follow the guidance)—God does not guide people who transgress. 323
Interpretation
322 The directive here is profound and sweeping in terms of keeping rules and regulations at a level that has certain clarity of intent, is procedurally simple, and does not overburden the individual or society to the detriment of one group or another. It leaves room for different groups to formulate ways to follow the guidance without causing undue conflicts and confusion, and to continue to challenge the evolution of human societies under the broader set of principles, values, and guidance that ensure overall equity, justice, and human freedom. Many of the requirements in Jewish law are very cumbersome, such as kosher dietary requirements or Sabbath duties, which have made many Jewish people abandon such guidance, either found in the Torah or later detailed by Rabbis or Jewish scholars. Similarly, in Christianity, requirements such as celibacy, monastery, insistence on trinity, and papal supremacy (for Catholics) have made many Christians move away from Christianity or create numerous sects to find and follow doctrines and practices they find more meaningful or conducive.
Some similar trends have crept into practice among Muslims over the years—the way Shia and Sunni sects have emerged and fought, even today; the types of arrogance and dogma exhibited by some scholars, imams, and leaders who prescribe rules in their countries or communities under the banner of Islam but contrary to Islamic teachings and the so-called Sharia laws practiced by some countries or communities, which have not been reviewed for centuries and reflect tribal rules and cultural norms but have very little to do with Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an.
323 Here is a practical example of encouraging the instrument of Will when someone is approaching the end of his or her life journey, to create a smooth transition of property to the rightful heirs and other needy causes and encourage others to witness and facilitate such a process with truth, honesty, and human dignity. It offers wide latitude as to who a witness can be, how to minimize the risk of false witnesses in the future, and, in a different revelation, provides further guidance as to whom to include in inheritance and how allocation can be made for the time in question in the existing social construct. Some people will take those examples as firm guidance with literal interpretations and formulate rules that constrain people and society, causing serious injustice in man-woman relations and property ownership and destroying human freedom to follow God’s guidance.
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REFLECTION
The Qur’an has touched on so many legal and social issues and provided sometimes specific injunctions as examples and responses to the time, but mostly broad guidance for human beings to evolve in a just and compassionate society. It is for this reason that the Prophet Mohammad has been recognized as the best lawgiver for human society, and he has been declared as the most influential human being in human history—one can dispute such assertions, but facts and history document his enormous contribution above anyone else in all spheres of human activity and social laws. This is a triumph of faith, and all people of faith—Muslims, Jews, and Christians—should take solace that our faith and the revelations have given us guidance that is in reality the foundation of our social norms and legal system.
ACTION
This is an area of real work that Muslims need to embark on and implement in all our individual, community, and global affairs, in collaboration with people of other faiths. We need to engage in meaningful dialogue and take deep interest in understanding the revealed texts to extract fundamental values and principles to guide our societies and do so with humility, personal and intellectual integrity, and a sense of commitment to human dignity.
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Key Arabic Term
99. wasiaat (will)