Islamic Shariah and the World Today

Activity: 9-day Lecture Series

An eight-day lecture series on “Islamic Shariah and the World Today,” comprised of 8 sub-topics was organized to discuss the role and application of Shariah in the contemporary world from January 01-12, 2008. , former Minister for Religious Affairs, GoP, former President IIU, Islamabad and currently Professor, Shariah and Law, IIU, Islamabad was the resource person.

The sub-topics of the lecturers were “Shariah: an Introduction, the Vision and Special Features,” “Shariah and Muslim Society: the Indvidual, his role as a Moral Being and Responsibilities; the Family and Family Related Matters,” “Shariah and the Muslim Society: the Muslim Ummah and its Collective Role,” “Faith and its Fundamentals: the Basic Foundation of the Shariah System,” “Shariah and the Muslim Society: National Issues, Administrative Matters  and   Inter-Human Relations,” “Shariah  and  the  Basics  of  Self-Purification  and  Beneficence,”   “The   Islamic Scholastics: the Scientific Explanation and Exposition of Islamic Faith and its Fundamentals,” “Shariah and the Civilizational and Cultural Goals before the Muslim Ummah.”

The lectures were chaired by Prof. Khurshid Ahmed, Chairman IPS, Dr. Iffat Dar, former Chief Psychologist, Federal Public Service Commission, GoP, Dr. Memood-ul-Hassan, VC, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad; Dr.S.M.Zaman, former Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology, Admiral (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Sarohi, former Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff Committee; Dr. Zafar Iqbal Ansari, Director General Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad and Dr. Khalid Masood, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology respectively.

Opening the debate, Dr.Ghazi mentioned that Shariah was a complete system based on some fundamental instructions which covered all aspects and details of individual and collective life of the people. He maintained that Shariah was derived from two main sources: the Holy book and the actual walk of life of  the prophet.

He further elaborated that there were three basic elements of this teaching: one that organized the  demeanor,  feelings,  and emo- tions of the human beings; the other that nurtured the thoughts and faith and the third element covered the apparent life, deeds and practices.

Explaining the nature of Shariah, he mentioned that it was not an abstract or theoretical paradigm rather it was a highly practical system, which was based on profound knowledge and justice. Dr. Ghazi further explained that Islamic Shariah was unique in a way that it provided guidance not only to an individual, family, society and state, but also to humanity in general. There was not a single aspect of these areas which were not a topic of discussion in Islamic Shariah.

“Shariah desired to create an environment of contentment and harmony among individuals, families and societies,” he pronounced.

Mentioning the way of attaining this objective, Dr. Ghazi said that Shariah developed individuals on three basic elements of faith: firstly that the universe was created with a certain purpose by an all-wise and omnipotent Creator and it was imperative to know that purpose. Secondly, there was a life hereafter, where the actions and deeds performed in this world would be the messengers of the Architect of this universe explained that purpose with the practical manifestation of their lives. judged. Thirdly, the messengers of the Architect of the universe explained that purpose with the practical manifestation of their lives.

Dr. Mehmud Ghazi discussed that it was the responsibility of individuals, institutions, organisations and groups of civil society to struggle for preserving the desired environment at home, in society, in state and in the whole world.

In this context, Dr. Ghazi discussed the concept of politics given by Shariah. He said that without the administration and management of the people in general, it was not easy to develop a peaceful world. He said that Shariah offered domestic law, international law, laws of war, laws of peace, rules of treaty, international relations and inter-human relationships.

In his last lecture, Dr. Ghazi expressed that a society based on the laws, rules and regulations of Shariah would portray poise and moderation both in individual and collective lives of its members.

The Institute of Policy Studies will publish a book based on this lecture series. The institute is also developing CDs and DVDs of these lectures.