Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 239
Political Peace 239 by many religions. Some religions have prescribed specific punishments for these offences. The question then arises as to how a state should dispense with such crimes. This question raises further the question of whether Islam at all gives a clear-cut and well-defined formula for a Muslim government and for a non-Muslim government to adopt. If a Muslim government has been defined as such in Islam, then other very important questions will be raised e. g. the validity of any state considering itself under some specific religious instruction and imposing that religion’s teachings upon all its citizens irrespective of whether or not they belong to that religion. Religions have a duty to draw the attention of the legislature to moral issues. It is not necessary that all legislation be placed under the jurisdiction of religions. With so many different sects and shades of varying beliefs between one sect and another and one religion and another, nothing short of total confusion and anarchy would be the result. Take for instance the punishment for alcohol. Although it is forbidden in the Holy Quran, there is no punishment specified by the Quran itself. Reliance is placed on some traditions, which are challenged by various schools of jurisprudence. In one locality or country, the punishment would be one thing and completely another elsewhere. Ignorance of the law would be rampant. What holds true for Islam is also true for other faiths. The Talmudic law would be totally impractical. The same can be said about Christianity. A believer of any religion can practise his beliefs even under a secular law. He can abide by truth without any state law interfering with his ability to speak the truth. He can observe his Prayers and