Khilafat-e-Rashidah — Page 19
KHILAFAT-E-R A SHIDAH 19 punishments prescribed for murder and theft, rules and regulations to be observed in war, principles governing sacrifice and also guidelines for transactions and trade. Thus, Judaism deals with matters related to government. Therefore, whoever studies the Mosaic sharia will conclude that religion has authority not only over individual matters, but also over the affairs of the nation and state. What Kind of Religion Islam is? Now we must determine what type of religion Islam is: does it belong to the first category or the second? For this purpose, we must see whether Islam has exerted authority over national matters or not. If Hadrat Muhammad sa dealt with national affairs out of his own desire or because of the dire needs of the nation, then it will have to be admitted that his actions are not binding on us. Just as when someone finds a stray child in a jungle and brings him in his home out of pity, it does not mean that he has the right of guardianship over him. Similarly, Hadrat Muhammad sa adopted orphans of Arabia out of feelings of pity for them, but this did not confer upon him the right of guardianship over them. Rather, when they came of age, they had the right to adopt a law of their own choice. On the contrary, if Islamic sharia does indeed include injunctions, then it will have to be admitted that the Holy Prophet sa did not interfere in these matters out of his own desire, rather, he did so