Allah Decides the Prohibited and the Permissible

Only Allah has the right and the authority to declare a matter permissible or prohibited. This Quranic maxim makes it clear that human beings do not have absolute freedom over the resources made available to them by Allah. Our use of the resources is limited by the limits laid down by Allah.

Allah condemns an ancient Arab nation, Madian, for spending out of their wealth without any limits.

“They said: “O Shu’aib! Does thy (religion of) prayer command thee that we leave off the worship which our fathers practised, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property?” (Qur’an 11: 87)

Furthermore, Allah deems it a lie on Him for a human being to declare lawful what is not and vice versa. He states in the Book:

“But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,- “This is lawful, and this is forbidden,” so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah, will never prosper.” (Qur’an 16: 116)

Only Allah and, by His permission, His messenger have the right to declare something permissible or prohibited.

“Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them.” (Qur’an 7: 157)

Sources: Mawdudi, Abul Ala. Muashiat-e-Islam. 11th ed. Karachi: Ma’araf Islami, 1986. 71-72.

 

Basic Facts from the Qur’an

The basic and most fundamental precept of Islam in the area of economics is that all resources that our economic system relies upon are created by Allah. He alone has the ability to make these resources of benefit to us and He alone has allowed us as human beings to benefit from these resources.

This point becomes very clear when one reflects upon the following verses of the Qur’an.

“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” (Qur’an 67: 15)

“And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o’er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider!” (Qur’an 13: 3) 

“It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.” (Qur’an 2: 29)

“It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give!” (Qur’an 7: 10)

“See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground? Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are We the Cause?” (Qur’an 56: 63-64)

Source: Mawdudi, Abul Ala. Muashiat-e-Islam. 11th ed. Karachi: Ma’araf Islami, 1986. 69-70