Dear Ghulam Mohiuddin Sahab,

You said in your last post: “It (the Qur’an) sets out actual laws and even punishments. That is the basis of Shariat.”

I had explained the existential necessity of the punishment laws in my comment and I do not want to revisit it. But let me try to address your comment.

The jurists reduce Shariat to Islamic punitive laws, though from the Qur’anic perspective Shariah is a broad concept – the divinely approved principles or moral imperative that can be given legal shape by the jurists and doctors of law. In one word, the Qur’an is the embodiment of the Sharia of Islam and encapsulates its social, moral and ethical tenets, and its criteria of right and wrong, lawful and forbidden in broad terms as guidance to humanity for all times. Therefore, as you said: “all the laws that we enact must satisfy the Quranic principles of fairness, justice, even-handedness, reasonableness, compassion and upholding the dignity of citizens.”

We are saying practically the same thing, so we can focus on other themes unless you think otherwise.

Dear Ghulam Mohiuddin Sahab: You say: “most Quranic laws are truly appropriate only for those times”

It  is ironical that contrary to the Qur’an repeated claim to be a book of guidance, Muslims, even the most learned like yourself, subconsciously regard it as a book of law.

The Qur’an’s role as a fount of guidance is captured in my book that you have in Ch. 2.3 that I am copying below to share with others and dispel the deeply entrenched specious notion that the Qur’an is a book of law:

 "The Qur'an sets out the highest principles of belief and a framework of moral values and social guidelines. However, its guidance is timeless, designed for universal communities, and is therefore broad based, and not spelled out in any details. For example, it lays great emphasis on good deeds and zakah (traditionally rendered as charity) - but does not define either. Its treatment of social and civil norms, finance etc. is in general terms. It does not give any detailed instructions in civil law or administration of justice, though it touches on the punishment for some of the major prevalent offences and crimes, while emphasizing on justice and equity in general terms. However, the Qur’an is specific when it radically changed what existed at the time. Accordingly, it clearly spells out the various facets of family and inheritance laws, thereby ensuring the rights and privileges of women in different capacities: as an independent person, a wife, a mother, a widow, or as an inheritor of property from the next of kin."

Agreed that “all the laws that we enact must satisfy the Quranic principles of fairness, justice, even-handedness, reasonableness, compassion and upholding the dignity of citizens…..

Dear hats off!

The article brings out the disconnect between the divine/ universal Sharia and the Sharia Law of Islam. Your previous comment has diverted the theme to anthropology/ Darwin’s theory.

Anyway since I chose to remain communication with you to gain from your erudition let me clarify the points you raise on this new theme.

Maurice Buccail was NOT an advocate or supporter of Darwin’s theory. You have in all probability not read his book, The Bible, The Qur'an and Science for had you even scanned the book you could never charge him of subscribing to Darwin’s theory. His book only aims to establish the compatibility of many of the Qur’an’s cryptic and enigmatic pronouncements with modern science. He dismisses Darwin’ theory on the ground of uniqueness of genetic  configuration in all living creatures. He concludes that “the Quran is the Word of God. He also tells that some of the most celebrated scientific discoveries in the 20th century, were described in the Qur'an in detail and accuracy.” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Bucaille]

 Here is the background of Maurice Buccail for your information lest you treat him like an ignorant, half literate and laughing stock - I am afraid a reflection of your disenchantment with the faith of Islam - an inferiority complex perhaps though I may be wrong for I cannot get to your mind through your words.

Maurice Bucaille (French pronunciation: 19 July 1920, – 17 February 1998^[1]), son of Maurice and Marie (James) Bucaille, was a French medical doctor, member of the French Society of Egyptology, and an author. Bucaille practiced medicine from 1945–82 and was a specialist in gastroenterology. In 1973, Bucaille was appointed family physician to king Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Another of his patients at the time included members of the family of then President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat.

Let us not discuss this theme any further. If you want to know the Qur’an’s take on the origin of man, my article referenced below captures the crux of it in these words:

“Conclusion: The Qur’an’s divergent insights into the creation/evolution of man, mixing the abstruse and the corporeal, the abstract and the scientific make it amply clear that it has not been the object of the Qur’an to unravel the mystery of man’s creation… By any stretch of imagination, it is not a textbook on biology or any other branch of physical sciences or field of knowledge.”

Re: Darwinism is Consistent with Qur’anic Insights on Man’s Origin