Is It Enough to Be Kind? A Deep Reflection on the Wisdom Behind Islamic Rulings

1. Divine Legislation: Islamic law is a divine right, as Allah is the Creator, the Benefactor, and the Most Generous.
2. Wisdom and Benefits: Islamic rulings contain profound wisdom and bring great benefits for humanity in both their worldly and spiritual affairs.
3. The Need for Laws: Human nature necessitates legal frameworks to regulate life, as evidenced by historical and modern societies alike.
4. The Relativity of Kindness: The concept of "kindness" is subjective and cannot be left to flawed human judgment; rather, it requires divine guidance to define its standards.

Introduction

"Isn’t it enough just to be kind?"—a question that echoes in the minds of some today. They assume that the numerous Islamic rulings are an unnecessary restriction and that good morals alone are sufficient for a righteous life in this world and the Hereafter. What they fail to realize is that these rulings are a manifestation of Allah’s mercy and a facilitation from the All-Knowing, the Most Wise.

How strange it is that people accept the need for an engineer to draft a meticulous blueprint for a small house, and for a doctor to write detailed prescriptions for a simple illness, yet they find it excessive that the Lord of the Worlds would establish a comprehensive system to guide humanity and ensure its happiness!

Islamic rulings are not shackles that restrict human freedom—as some mistakenly believe—but guiding lights that illuminate the path and signposts that direct one to the straight way. They are like the stars in the sky, guiding travelers through the darkness of land and sea. Without them, people would be lost and misled.

Let me uncover the wisdom behind these divine rulings and how they reflect Allah’s mercy upon His servants. Their depth and benefits are astonishing, bringing peace to the heart and certainty to the mind. They are nothing less than banquet tables of mercy spread across life’s journey, from which the believers draw blessings in both worlds.

"Why Are There So Many Rulings in Islam?"

Some people question why Islamic rulings are so numerous, assuming that good morals alone are sufficient for righteousness. This question reflects a lack of deep understanding of the nature of Islam and the wisdom behind divine legislation. Let us reflect on the profound reasons behind these rulings.

First Divine Legislation—A Right of Allah and an Act of Worship

Ponder the greatness and majesty of Allah! He is the One who created this vast universe, with its countless galaxies, innumerable stars, and celestial bodies that move in perfect order. He created all of this with His power and wisdom, and nothing holds them in place except His command.

Now, look at yourself and contemplate your own creation: the astonishing intellect that allows you to think, analyze, and innovate; the heart that beats in your chest without pause, beyond your control; the remarkable senses of hearing, sight, and speech—all of these are gifts from Allah.

Reflect on the blessings He has bestowed upon you: the blessing of existence from nothingness, the blessing of sustenance, and the blessing of guidance. He granted you the ability to walk, speak, and think. He subjected the heavens and the earth for your benefit, sent down rain to nourish the land, and provided you with means of livelihood and survival.

After all of this divine generosity and boundless favor, is it too much to accept that this magnificent Creator has legislated what ensures our well-being? Is it befitting for someone who has been showered with blessings to rebel against the commands of the One who granted them?

Allah is the Sovereign of this universe, the One who governs its affairs and directs its course. He knows what was, what is, and what will be. He knows the hidden betrayals of the eyes and the secrets concealed in the hearts. It is His absolute right to legislate for His creation as He wills, and it is their duty to submit to His commands with full acceptance and devotion.

In reality, following Allah’s rulings is an act of worship and a form of gratitude for His blessings. Every time you obey a divine command, you are, in essence, saying: At Your service, O Allah! You are the Creator, and I am Your creation. You are the Sovereign, and I am Your servant. You are the Bestower of blessings, and I am grateful for them.

Now, reflect on His wisdom: He did not leave us to wander aimlessly in confusion. Rather, He revealed His Book, sent His Messenger, and clarified the path with absolute clarity. Every ruling He legislated is a light that illuminates our way, and every command He issued is a mercy that guides us toward righteousness and success.

So how can a weak, dependent servant—who cannot even control his own life or death—arrogantly reject the rulings of his Lord, the One who created him, provided for him, and guided him? And how can one turn away from the divine guidance of the All-Knowing, the One whose mercy encompasses all things?

Second The Divine Wisdom in Islamic Rulings—A Mercy and a Blessing

Pause for a moment and reflect on the beauty of Islamic rulings! They form a comprehensive system filled with wisdom and benefits that ensure happiness in both this world and the Hereafter. Allah, the All-Wise and All-Knowing, is Most Merciful to His servants. He does not command anything except that it brings good, and He does not forbid anything except that it prevents harm.

Take prayer as an example—this magnificent act of worship that recurs five times a day. It instills tranquility and inner peace, nurtures humility and contentment in the heart, and serves as a spiritual refuge from life’s burdens and stress. When a believer stands before his Lord in prayer, he experiences a unique serenity that no worldly pleasure can provide. Additionally, the physical movements of prayer serve as a gentle exercise, while the set timings create a disciplined and organized routine. Is prayer not, therefore, a means of mental and physical well-being as well as an act of devotion?

Now, consider fasting, this profound spiritual and moral discipline. Science continues to uncover its numerous health benefits: the regeneration of cells, immune system enhancement, and the regulation of bodily functions. Yet, beyond these physical advantages, fasting nurtures taqwā (consciousness of Allah), strengthens willpower, disciplines the soul, and cultivates patience and self-restraint. Moreover, it fosters social solidarity, as the wealthy experience the hunger of the poor, motivating them to extend generosity and support.

Look at the wisdom in zakāh—a remarkable economic and social system that ensures balance in society and meets the needs of the less fortunate. More than just a financial obligation, zakāh purifies the soul from greed and cultivates generosity and compassion. Is it any wonder that Allah named it zakāh, meaning purification, growth, and blessing?

Now, think about the prohibition of intoxicants and gambling. Has modern science not confirmed the devastating effects of alcohol on health, intellect, and society? Have we not witnessed how gambling has ruined countless lives and families? How perfect is the wisdom of Allah, who forbade these harms fourteen centuries before science could prove their dangers!

Similarly, Islamic financial ethics, such as the prohibition of ribā (usury) and dishonest transactions, establish a fair and just economy that protects people from exploitation. Islamic family laws provide a framework for strong, stable relationships that ensure the well-being of spouses and children. Every legal ruling, whether in business, inheritance, or social interactions, is designed to maintain justice, prevent harm, and promote harmony.

However, the most important realization is that behind every divine ruling lies a wisdom, whether we comprehend it or not. Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Wise, knows what benefits His creation best. He is more merciful to them than they are to themselves. Thus, when we encounter a ruling whose wisdom we do not immediately grasp, we should trust in Allah’s infinite knowledge and justice.

Reflecting on these wisdoms and benefits only increases a believer’s love for the Sharī‘ah and strengthens his commitment to it. How can one not obey laws that are entirely based on mercy, wisdom, and well-being? And how can one not be grateful to Allah for the immense blessing of guidance to the straight path?

Third Islamic Rulings—A Natural Human Need and an Essential Necessity

No human society can function without laws and regulations. This is a universal truth throughout history. Since the dawn of civilization, societies have always had laws and systems to regulate relationships, govern behavior, and protect rights.

It is paradoxical that some who object to the number of Islamic rulings admire Western legal systems and advocate for adopting them! Take the United States, for example—it has hundreds of thousands of federal and local laws that regulate even the smallest details of its citizens’ lives. Similarly, Britain, France, and Germany enforce extensive legal systems that govern intricate aspects of daily life.

Why do we not hear objections from these critics about the sheer number of man-made laws? Why do they readily accept human-devised legal codes while objecting to divine rulings legislated by the All-Wise, the All-Knowing? Is this not a glaring contradiction that exposes a double standard?

History proves that societies that attempted to abandon laws in the name of absolute freedom eventually descended into chaos and collapse. Human beings, by nature, require a system that regulates their behavior and guides their actions. This is why even Western societies, which claim to champion absolute freedom, continue to introduce more laws and regulations every day.

Modern history has revealed catastrophic consequences for societies that abandoned Islamic law and replaced it with man-made legislation:

• The disintegration of the family structure: Divorce rates have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, and children’s rights are often lost between separated parents.
• Economic instability: The prevalence of ribā (usury), which Islam explicitly prohibits, has become the foundation of the global banking system, leading to recurring financial crises. The absence of zakāh has widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
• A rise in mental and social disorders: Rates of depression and anxiety are steadily increasing, social relationships are weakening, and family bonds are deteriorating.
• Moral decay: Without religious guidelines, societies have witnessed an alarming moral decline, with widespread indulgence in vices and corruption at an unprecedented scale.

The divine rulings legislated by Allah form a comprehensive system that safeguards human interests and protects them from harm. When we observe the struggles and crises of societies that have abandoned these rulings, we realize that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, legislated these laws for the well-being and happiness of humanity.

Ironically, many of these same societies are now—albeit belatedly—recognizing the wisdom behind some Islamic rulings. They are beginning to acknowledge the dangers of ribā, the importance of a stable family unit, the necessity of moral boundaries, and the need for stricter punishments for criminals. Glory be to Allah, who revealed a complete religion that ensures success in both worlds!

Fourth Who Defines "Kindness"? The Relativity of Moral Concepts and the Need for Divine Standards

We often hear people say, It is enough for a person to be kind, as if kindness is a universally agreed-upon concept. However, history has shown that kindness is one of the most relative and subjective ideas in human civilization. What one person sees as kindness, another may view as harm; what one culture considers a virtue, another may deem a vice; and what is regarded as good today may be considered evil tomorrow.

A glance at history reveals the dangers of leaving the definition of kindness to human judgment. Throughout history, tyrants and oppressors have committed horrific crimes while believing they were doing good. Consider Pharaoh, who slaughtered innocent people and oppressed the Children of Israel, all while claiming that he was guiding them to righteousness: “I show you only what I see, and I guide you only to the path of wisdom” (Ghāfir: 29).

In more recent history, we see similar examples:

• Adolf Hitler, who orchestrated the deaths of millions, saw himself as a great reformer striving to purify the Aryan race and establish a superior civilization.
• Joseph Stalin, responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of his own people, believed he was creating a utopian society free of class divisions.
• Mao Zedong, who devastated Chinese civilization and caused the deaths of millions, claimed to be leading his nation toward progress and prosperity.

Conclusion: The Blessing of Islamic Rulings—Guidance and True Happiness

After this journey through the wisdom and benefits of Islamic rulings, it becomes undeniably clear how naïve the notion of relying solely on kindness truly is. How can human beings dispense with the guidance of their Creator, the All-Knowing and All-Wise?

We have seen that Islamic rulings are, in reality, a great blessing and an immense mercy from Allah to His servants. They are both a right of Allah—since He is the Creator, the Sovereign, and the Sustainer—and a means of securing our well-being in both this life and the Hereafter. Every divine ruling carries within it wisdom and benefits that become increasingly evident over time.

We have also observed that humans, by their very nature, require a system to regulate their lives. Yet, it is paradoxical that those who criticize the number of Islamic rulings readily accept the thousands of man-made laws enacted by Western governments! How can they accept human legislation while rejecting divine legislation from the Lord of all creation?

Furthermore, both ancient and modern history confirm the dangers of leaving the definition of kindness to human judgment. How many tyrants believed themselves to be reformers? How many oppressors claimed they were acting for the good of the people? Even today, we witness major world powers glorifying noble values in their rhetoric while simultaneously engaging in the worst forms of oppression and exploitation.

Islamic rulings provide a comprehensive way of life that ensures true happiness for humanity in both worlds. This system was established by the All-Knowing, the Most Wise, who understands what benefits and harms His creation. So how can we replace this divine framework with ever-changing human perceptions of kindness, which fluctuate with shifting desires and interests?

All praise is due to Allah, who has granted us this noble and merciful Sharī‘ah and guided us to the straight path. In a world struggling with materialism and a crisis of values, there is no greater need than to return to this divine guidance, where humanity will find its true happiness, security, and stability.

In our present age, we witness another paradox in the behavior of Western nations. On one hand, they raise banners of human rights and moral values, promoting freedom and justice. Yet, on the other hand, they engage in colonialism, exploitation, and oppression of weaker nations. They pillage the wealth of poorer countries through corporate monopolies, and they justify the killing of innocents under the pretext of fighting terrorism or spreading democracy.

This stark contradiction between noble rhetoric and oppressive actions highlights the danger of allowing humans to define kindness and morality according to their own whims. No matter how intelligent or wise a person may be, their vision remains limited, influenced by personal interests and societal biases, and prone to error. When human beings set their own moral standards, they often tailor them to suit their desires and serve their own agendas.

Thus, there is a pressing need for a higher, divine authority to define what is good and what is evil. Only Allah—the All-Knowing, the Most Wise—can establish absolute and unchanging moral standards that are not influenced by personal bias, cultural trends, or shifting societal norms.

The divine rulings of Islam serve as the true framework for determining kindness and morality. They provide a comprehensive and balanced system that protects humanity from moral manipulation, ensuring true justice and righteousness in both this world and the next.