Islam Rediscovered
13. The Shariah and Its Application
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during the lifetime of the Prophet, a revelation
would come in relation to it.
In such a state of affairs it is not proper to take any
given verse of the Quran in an absolute sense and
apply it to latter-day situations. It is therefore
essential to study the verses of the Quran in the
light of the causes of revelation. After learning the
background we can apply them to any similar
situation produced in later times. According to this
principle, taking the verses of the Quran in their
proper context is a source of guidance, while doing
the reverse is a source of transgression.
In short, the Quran is a compendium of various and
varied kinds of injunctions. For instance, at one
place we find this injunction in the Quran: “Avoid
the polytheists” (15:94). At another place we will
find this injunction: “Fight against the idolaters as
they fight against you.” (9:16)
Both these injunctions are apparently contradictory
to one another. So the question arises as to which
command should be followed by a reader of today.
