(F) Islamic Laws & Change in Lifestyle
The transformation,evolution anddevelopmentof the means ofliving
andprogress inthevariouselementsofcivilizationhavenokindof in-
compatibilitywith theeternity ofthe lawsof Islam.How?Becausethe
incompatibilityofalawwiththiskindofprogresscanonlyhappenifthe
law depends on the specific material means available atthe time and
place the law was made.
Forexample,ifalawismadethatonlythehandmustbeusedinwrit-
ing,or onlyadonkeymust beusedfortraveling,etc.thenthiskindof
lawbecomesoutdatedwiththeadvanceofscienceandtechnology.Butif
the lawwasnot basedonspecific andtransitorymeans oflife, andin-
stead it pertained to the basic and permanent need of mankind, then
there will be no clash between that law and the new means of life.
Islamiclawsareof thelattercategory,thatis,theydonot lookespe-
ciallyatthemeansoflifeatagivenperiodinhistory.Forexample,they
say,“AMuslimnationmustbestrongenoughtoprotectitselffromfor-
eignpowers.”Thislaw,eventhoughmadeatatimewhenswordwasa
means of defence, looks at the permanent need of a Muslim society.
However,ifIslamhadsaidthataMuslimnationmustdefenditselfwith
swords, then this law would become obsolete in the twentieth century.
Whateverchangestakeplaceinthemeansoflife,itwillnotbeoutside
theallinclusivedomainofthelawsofIslam—thisis,indeed,thesecret
of Islam's eternity.