Qur’an for All Times (1)

Question:
You have mentioned in your presentations that the application of all the Qur’anic injunctions was not meant for all times to come. While most Muslims insist that all Qur’anic injunctions were meant to apply to all times, your point of view seems to be very different, and, in the eyes of many, misleading. I would appreciate if you could quote examples from the Quran in support of your view.

Response:
There could be three points of view about the applicability of the Qur’an: i) All its injunctions were meant to be applicable until the Day of Judgement; ii) no part of the Qur’an was applicable for any era except the one when it was revealed; and iii) Qur’anic injunctions could be divided into two parts: those that were applicable for all times and those that were era specific. I believe that only the third point of view could be correct. The reason is that in order to prove that the other two views were incorrect, I will need to present just one verse each respectively that show conclusively that at least one verse was not applicable for all times and another was most certainly applicable for all times. Having said that, I must clarify that there could be reasonable grounds for disputing over the question whether certain verses were applicable for all times or not. But the fact that not the entire Qur’an was practically binding to be followed by the believers was a reality which only those people can deny who don’t want to read the Qur’an with an open mind.

In order for you to know if my claim was correct or not, I would request you to have a look at the following verses, for example, and ask yourself honestly how we, the present-day Muslims, figure in the guidance provided by them:

i) “Indeed We see the turning of your face (O prophet) to heaven; so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque.” (2:144)

ii) “And when you (O prophet) are among them and keep up the prayer for them, let a party of them stand up with you, and let them take their arms; then when they have prostrated themselves let them go to your rear, and let another party who have not prayed come forward and pray with you, and let them take their precautions and their arms; (for) those who disbelieve desire that you may be careless of your arms and your luggage, so that they may then turn upon you with a sudden united attack, and there is no blame on you, if you are annoyed with rain or if you are sick, that you lay down your arms, and take your precautions; surely Allah has prepared a disgraceful chastisement for the unbelievers.” (4:102)

iii) “It is not allowed to you (O prophet) to take women afterwards, nor that you should change them for other wives, though their beauty be pleasing to you.” (33:52)

iv) “O you who believe! do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission is given to you for a meal, not waiting for its cooking being finished-- but when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken the food, then disperse-- not seeking to listen to talk; surely this gives the Prophet trouble, but he forbears from you, and Allah does not forbear from the truth And when you ask of them any goods, ask of them from behind a curtain; this is purer for your hearts and (for) their hearts; and it does not behove you that you should give trouble to the Messenger of Allah, nor that you should marry his wives after him ever; surely this is grievous in the sight of Allah.” (33:53)

v) “O you who believe! when you consult the Messenger, then offer something in charity before your consultation; that is better for you and purer; but if you do not find, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Do you fear that you will not (be able to) give in charity before your consultation? So when you do not do it and Allah has turned to you (mercifully), then keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and obey Allah and His Messenger; and Allah is Aware of what you do.” (58:12-13)

My advice to you is that you understand the concept yourself clearly from the verses above and indeed from the entire Qur’an. I can tell you that the Qur’an is replete with verses that have no possible application for any times except the era of the prophet, alaihissalaam, unless, God forbid, if someone is bent upon misinterpreting the Book to force it to conform in accordance with his/her ideas. It is your right as well as duty to understand the Qur’an honestly.

As for those who claim that we have gone astray, I pray that the Almighty may guide them as well us to the straight path.

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