Islam has visualized such requirements...

Islam has visualized such requirements, and has linked them with certain principles which have subordinate laws for every changed situation. To elucidate this point, I give a few examples: Islam has laid down a social principle which has been stated in the Qur’an thus: Provide force against them (the enemies) to the utmost possible extent.

(1) At the same time, a number of traditions of the Holy Prophet handed down to us, are mentioned in the books of Islamic law under the heading ‘Horsemanship and Archery’. The Prophet directed that the Muslims should learn the arts of horsemanship and archery and teach them to their children. These arts were a part of military science in the ancient days. It is quite obvious that the basic order is ‘to provide force’. Bow and arrow, sword and lance and mule and horse are not important.

What is important is to be militarily powerful against the enemy. To acquire skill in horsemanship and archery is only a form of acquiring military strength, or a way of implementing the basic order. To provide strength is a standing law that has sprung from a permanent need. However, the necessity of acquiring skill in horsemanship and archery is a temporary requirement, which varies with the change of time. With the changed circumstances, skill in firearms etc.

has taken the place of skill in archery. Another example is the social principle concerning the exchange of wealth, mentioned in the Qur’an. Islam has recognized the principle of individual ownership. However, the ownership as recognized by it is different from that found in the capitalist world. A characteristic of the individual ownership in Islam is the principle of exchange. In this connection, Islam has laid down certain rules.

One of them has been enunciated by the Holy Qur’an in these words “And do not consume each other’s wealth in vain”. (2) In other words, in the case of business transactions, money must not pass from one hand to another, except in exchange for some lawful return that has a recognized value. Islam does not admit that ownership is equivalent to absolute authority. It is specified in the Islamic law that the sale and purchase of certain things is forbidden.

Such things include blood and human excreta. The reason is that these things do not have such a value that they should be considered to be a part of human wealth. The underlying principle is the same as contained in the above quoted verse.