Overview (Verse 104)

Contradiction in Terms
 
As the Qur’ān deals with these aspects, it states first of all that God has not initiated those practices of consecrating cattle. Who, then, has set those practices for the unbelievers? “It was not God who instituted [superstitions like those of] a slit-ear she- camel, or a she-camel let loose for free pasture, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, or stallion-camels freed from work.” (Verse 103) Those who follow any code or doctrine other than the one God has laid down are unbelievers, making false claims against God. They may enact their own laws and claim that these are God’s law. Or they may claim for themselves the right to promulgate their own laws, allowing no room for God’s law in their system, but at the same time, they claim that they do not disobey God. All this is no more than fabricating lies against God. “It is unbelievers who attribute their own lying inventions to God. Most of them never use their reason.” (Verse 103)
 
The pagan Arabs used to believe that they were following the faith of Abraham, as revealed to him by God. They did not deny God altogether. Indeed they acknowledged Him, His power and control over the universe. Nevertheless, they enacted their own laws and legislation, claiming that these were all part of God’s law. As such they were unbelievers. The same description applies to all people in any state of ignorance, when they make their own laws, whether they claim them to be part of God’s law or not.
 
God’s law is that which He has stated in His book, and which was outlined by His Messenger. It is neither vague nor ambiguous. It does not admit, as ignorant people claim everywhere, that anyone may invent something and claim it to be part of God’s law. Hence, God brands those who make such claims as unbelievers, and then describes them as devoid of reason. Had they used their reason, they would not have fabricated lies and attributed them to God. Had they had any logic, they would not have imagined that their lies could be accepted.
 
The irony of what they say and do is made even clearer: “When they are told, ‘Come to that which God has revealed and to the Messenger,’ they reply, Sufficient for us are the ways we found our fathers following.’ Why, even though their fathers knew nothing and were devoid of all guidance?” (Verse 104)
 
Divine law is well-defined in God’s revelations, and clarified by the Sunnah. This is the point at which Islam takes its course, which is totally different from that of unbelief. When people are called to implement what God has revealed and His Messenger has explained, they either respond positively and in this case they are Muslims, or they reject the call, and in this case they are unbelievers. There is no other choice. Some Arabs, however, used to respond to such a call by saying that they were satisfied with what they had inherited from their fathers. Thus, they followed laws enacted by human beings in preference to those enacted by the Lord of all human beings. They turned a deaf ear to the appeal to free themselves from submission to other people. By choice, they made their reason and conscience subservient to their forefathers.
 
In response to such an attitude the Qur’ān makes this reproachful comment: “Why, even though their fathers knew nothing and were devoid of all guidance?” (Verse 104) This denunciation of their following their forefathers, even though they were devoid of all knowledge, does not mean that had their forefathers had a wealth of knowledge, they would be right to follow them in abandoning what God has revealed. The verse merely makes a statement of fact, describing their situation and that of their predecessors. Yet surely no one would take up his own laws or those of his father, when he has access to God’s law and the Sunnah of God’s Messenger unless he is totally devoid of all knowledge and all guidance. Let such a person claim what he may about his knowledge and enlightenment. God’s statement expresses the truth, which is further confirmed by reality. Only an ignorant, deviant unbeliever prefers human law to God’s law.
 

Overview (Verse 104)

Contradiction in Terms
 
As the Qur’ān deals with these aspects, it states first of all that God has not initiated those practices of consecrating cattle. Who, then, has set those practices for the unbelievers? “It was not God who instituted [superstitions like those of] a slit-ear she- camel, or a she-camel let loose for free pasture, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, or stallion-camels freed from work.” (Verse 103) Those who follow any code or doctrine other than the one God has laid down are unbelievers, making false claims against God. They may enact their own laws and claim that these are God’s law. Or they may claim for themselves the right to promulgate their own laws, allowing no room for God’s law in their system, but at the same time, they claim that they do not disobey God. All this is no more than fabricating lies against God. “It is unbelievers who attribute their own lying inventions to God. Most of them never use their reason.” (Verse 103)
 
The pagan Arabs used to believe that they were following the faith of Abraham, as revealed to him by God. They did not deny God altogether. Indeed they acknowledged Him, His power and control over the universe. Nevertheless, they enacted their own laws and legislation, claiming that these were all part of God’s law. As such they were unbelievers. The same description applies to all people in any state of ignorance, when they make their own laws, whether they claim them to be part of God’s law or not.
 
God’s law is that which He has stated in His book, and which was outlined by His Messenger. It is neither vague nor ambiguous. It does not admit, as ignorant people claim everywhere, that anyone may invent something and claim it to be part of God’s law. Hence, God brands those who make such claims as unbelievers, and then describes them as devoid of reason. Had they used their reason, they would not have fabricated lies and attributed them to God. Had they had any logic, they would not have imagined that their lies could be accepted.
 
The irony of what they say and do is made even clearer: “When they are told, ‘Come to that which God has revealed and to the Messenger,’ they reply, Sufficient for us are the ways we found our fathers following.’ Why, even though their fathers knew nothing and were devoid of all guidance?” (Verse 104)
 
Divine law is well-defined in God’s revelations, and clarified by the Sunnah. This is the point at which Islam takes its course, which is totally different from that of unbelief. When people are called to implement what God has revealed and His Messenger has explained, they either respond positively and in this case they are Muslims, or they reject the call, and in this case they are unbelievers. There is no other choice. Some Arabs, however, used to respond to such a call by saying that they were satisfied with what they had inherited from their fathers. Thus, they followed laws enacted by human beings in preference to those enacted by the Lord of all human beings. They turned a deaf ear to the appeal to free themselves from submission to other people. By choice, they made their reason and conscience subservient to their forefathers.
 
In response to such an attitude the Qur’ān makes this reproachful comment: “Why, even though their fathers knew nothing and were devoid of all guidance?” (Verse 104) This denunciation of their following their forefathers, even though they were devoid of all knowledge, does not mean that had their forefathers had a wealth of knowledge, they would be right to follow them in abandoning what God has revealed. The verse merely makes a statement of fact, describing their situation and that of their predecessors. Yet surely no one would take up his own laws or those of his father, when he has access to God’s law and the Sunnah of God’s Messenger unless he is totally devoid of all knowledge and all guidance. Let such a person claim what he may about his knowledge and enlightenment. God’s statement expresses the truth, which is further confirmed by reality. Only an ignorant, deviant unbeliever prefers human law to God’s law.