GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF SHARIAH
In a narration from Sahih al-Bukhari, Aisha, in response to a question, mentioned that the first revelations of the Quran were the detailed chapters, which contained descriptions of Paradise and Hell. It was only after people’s hearts had settled in Islam that verses concerning halal and haram (lawful and unlawful) were revealed. Aisha said, “Had the first thing to be revealed been: ‘Do not drink wine,’ they would have said, ‘We will never give up wine.’ And had it been revealed, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ they would have said, ‘We will never give up adultery’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 4993).
Imam al-Bukhari included this narration in his Sahih under the ‘Book of the Virtues of the Quran’ (Chapter on the Compilation of the Quran). If later generations study this narration solely under the chapter title given by Imam al-Bukhari, they will derive only issues related to the virtues or compilation of the Quran and nothing more. However, if one goes beyond the chapter title and reflects further, it becomes evident that this narration highlights a crucial aspect of Islam.
Pondering over this narration reveals that the implementation of Shariah, or the application of Islamic law, requires adherence to a significant principle: the wisdom of a gradual process. During the early period of Islam, the implementation of Shariah law was carried out with this gradual wisdom. The process involved first creating a willingness in people’s hearts to obey the laws, and only after achieving this internal readiness were external laws enforced.
Considering the current Muslim leaders in this context, it becomes apparent that they have been reading the Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari only within the confines of its chapter title, without delving deeper. This imitative mindset has prevented them from grasping the important wisdom of gradual implementation highlighted in this Hadith.
For many years, loud calls for the application of Shariah law have echoed across various Muslim countries—such as Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. However, despite countless sacrifices, Shariah law has not been successfully implemented in any Muslim country.
The reason for this failure lies in the weakened faith of contemporary Muslims, a condition resulting from prolonged complacency (referred to in chapter Al-Hadid: 16). This weakened faith has led to a lack of mental alignment and heartfelt readiness, both of which are essential for practically accepting Shariah laws. According to the aforementioned narration, their condition resembles that of the early Muslims who, if addressed with laws prohibiting wine and adultery prematurely, would have responded, “We will never give up wine” and “We will never give up adultery.”
In many Muslim countries, enthusiastic leaders have attempted to Islamize the media by taking over television systems and broadcasting “Islamic programs.” However, these efforts have largely proven ineffective. When these Islamic programs were aired in Muslim households, family members often changed the channel, opting instead for other entertainment programs.
Despite the turbulent efforts to enforce Shariah, its complete failure primarily stems from the absence of ijtihadi (independent reasoning) mindset among contemporary Muslim leaders. They entered the political arena equipped only with a taqlidi (imitative) mindset. The inevitable consequence of such an imitative approach was exactly what unfolded in practice.
