Islam Rediscovered
13. The Shariah and Its Application
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understand the real nature of the injunction
revealed in the concerned verses. When the original
context of an injunction is properly understood, the
application of the same to similar incidents taking
place in later times is greatly facilitated. We are then
able to understand what the Quranic injunction
would be in a situation which is similar to the one
referred to in the Quran.
The verse of the Quran mentioned earlier tells us
that just as the Quran is a source of guidance to
people, so also does it become a source of leading
them astray. Who are these people who are led
astray? These are the people who do not study the
Quran in its proper context. Studying of the Quran
in this way means to study it in the light of one’s
own whims and desires, instead of in the light of
the causes of revelation.
If we study the verses of the Quran in reference to
the causes of revelation, the reality dawns upon us
that the target of Islam is not to exterminate the
opponents of Islam, but rather to help them enter
the fold of Islam by our performing
da’wah
. This
