Relationship between Religion and Politics in Islam — Page 11
The Relationship Between Religion & Politics 11 question of whether it is a punishable offence and whether the punishment, if any, is imposed by man in this world, is a fluid issue. It is a controversial issue and has not yet been agreed upon by all the people involved. What is the punishment for drinking? The Holy Quran does not mention any punishment. This is a funda- mental law, the Book of law, and it is inferred from some tradition by some scholars that ‘such and such’ should be the punishment. But that inference is far-fetched and the traditions themselves are challenged by others not to be authentic. So, will a large section of not only Muslim society, but also a large section of non-Muslim society, be punished for such rea- sons as in themselves are doubtful? Whether it is valid or not, this is the issue. Yet there are extremists everywhere and particularly those who go for Shariah to be imposed. You will find many extremists who are totally intolerant of other people’s opinion. Consequently, such grey areas will also be taken as no doubt areas by the extremists. They will say: ‘Yes, we know; it’s our opinion. It’s the opinion supported by a medieval scholar of our thinking. And that is law. ’ Difficulties Faced by the Pakistani Government for the Enactment of Shariah Law Now this difference resulted in a debate in Pakistan very recently and Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister, had ultimately to decide that Shariah of no one sect will be adopted. The law passed in Pakistan is that they will accept the suprem- acy of the Quran, and they will agree that no legislation will be