Updating: Reapplication of Shariah

borne in mind also that such differences as these were related not to individual prophets but to the changed situations. The different circumstances of the times each prophet lived in were taken into account in the commands they were given in terms of the Shariah and minhaj. These variations were based on the practical wisdom rather than related to the person of a particular prophet. That is why this principle of Shariah is valid even today. The principle of the change in situations governing partial and temporal alterations in the Shariah and minhaj is duly adopted. While in the past this change was carried out through the Prophet, modifications are now arrived at through ijtihad and carried into effect by the Islamic scholars. That task in reality is not synonymous with bringing about a change in ‘the shariah’ but it is only a re-application of the shariah in terms of altered circumstances. The task of effecting such re-application, which was undertaken in the past, will in like manner, continue to be carried out in the future. It is this process of continual adjustment which helps to keep Islam permanently updated. Dawah The third requirement for this continuation of the Prophetic mission is dawah work. That is, to communicate the message of the Prophet to all people in all ages. Though this dawah work is carried out by human beings, it is, in fact, a divine task. That is why the Quran has called it nusrat of God i.e., helping the Almighty. (3:52) According to the Quran dawah work means to make oneself nasih and amin, that is, an honest and sincere well-wisher of all. (7:68) In short, it is to become wholly honest in relation to God