The Philosophy of Sharia: Why is Man in Need of a Divine Criterion?
By nature of their creation, human beings are sent into this world endowed with three fundamental faculties: reason (intellect), desire (appetite), and anger (passion).
As Bediüzzaman Said Nursi also expressed, no natural limits were placed upon these faculties at birth. Consequently, a human being is capable of the greatest self-sacrifice, just as they are capable of the most horrific cruelty. For within the human soul lies both the potential to ascend above the angels and a darkness capable of sinking lower than the beasts.
The Qur’an declares this truth as follows:
“We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, then We abased him to be the lowest of the low.” (Surah At-Tin, 4-5)
Human history stands as a testament to this reality.
On one side, there are those who give their lives for the sake of justice…
On the other, there are tyrants who slaughter millions… The very same intellect that becomes a source of healing in the hands of a doctor can turn into an atomic bomb in the hands of another. This is because human emotions are boundless.
There is no limit to desire.
There is no limit to anger.
There is no limit to ambition.
Most of the time, humans define what they call “justice” or “right” based solely on their own self-interest. Nations, societies, and ideologies often dictate justice from their own centers of power. For this reason, the systems established by humanity using human reason alone have failed throughout history to provide absolute peace and ultimate justice.
The current state of the world today is a clear manifestation of this failure. While powerful nations live in prosperity, vulnerable societies are crushed under the weight of war, exploitation, and poverty.
This proves that there is a profound need for a criterion that truly understands human nature.
The One who created man is also the One who knows his weaknesses.
It is precisely at this point that the core philosophy of Sharia reveals itself:
Sharia is Not a System of Prohibitions
Today, many people view Sharia solely through the lens of punishments and prohibitions. However, the essence of Sharia is to enable human beings to live in harmony with their primordial nature (fitrah), to protect them from extremes, and to guide them toward their ultimate perfection.
Just as a physician understands the human body best and prescribes the appropriate treatment, it is Allah who knows the human soul and its creation best.
The Qur’an declares:
“Does He who created not know? And He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Mulk, 14)
At times, a human being struggles to understand even their own physical body.
Something considered “good” for years can suddenly turn out to be harmful.
Modern humans are still striving to decipher their own minds, souls, and existence.
How possible is it, then, for a human being—who cannot fully comprehend their own self—to claim to establish a flawless system for all of humanity?
If There is Order in the Universe, Human Life Cannot Be Left to Chance
When we look at the universe, we witness a magnificent harmony.
Bees make honey.
Birds migrate.
Trees bear fruit.
Ants live in social order.
No creature rebels against its inherent duty to live the life of another.
Imagine a bee saying, “I will no longer make honey.”
Or a tree refusing to bear fruit… The cosmic order would collapse.
Bediüzzaman states that the absence of wastefulness and futility in the universe indicates that every existence in creation has a grand purpose.
This means that man is not left to drift aimlessly.
The Qur’an speaks with absolute clarity on this matter:
“Does man think that he will be left aimless?” (Surah Al-Qiyamah, 36)
This is precisely one of the greatest crises of the modern world:
Man has forgotten the purpose of his creation.
A human model that solely consumes, chases hedonistic pleasures, and centers its entire existence around the material world has failed to produce peace; on the contrary, it has given birth to a profound spiritual void.
It is no coincidence that despite today’s technological advancements, depression, loneliness, and psychological collapse are on the rise.
For man does not consist of a physical body alone.
The Soul Too Requires Nourishment
Just as the physical body falls ill when poorly nourished, the soul plunges into darkness when fed with the wrong things. Not everything that pleases our whims is good for our soul.
One of the greatest crises of modern man is trying to satisfy the soul through hedonistic pleasures alone. Yet, deep within human nature lies a yearning for eternity. The heart can never be truly fulfilled by finite things.
This truth is beautifully captured by Bediüzzaman Said Nursi:
“Man has been created for eternity, and he shall go to eternity.” (The Words)
A human being longs;
to be loved,
to trust,
to seek refuge,
to attain eternity.
This is precisely why belief has existed in every society throughout history. For the need to believe is one of the deepest realities embedded within the human fitrah (primordial nature).
The Objective of Sharia: Protecting Man from Oppressing Man
One of the primary objectives of Sharia is to prevent human beings from harming one another. For man is a social creature; he cannot survive in isolation. Even a single loaf of bread reaching our table relies on the collective labor of hundreds of hands.
However, man’s boundless ambition can easily corrupt these mutual relationships:
Commerce can turn into exploitation.
Politics can turn into oppression.
Freedom can turn into violating the rights of others.
This is exactly why Sharia exists: to discipline and restrain these volatile tendencies of human nature.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared:
“The best of you are those who are most beneficial to people.”
True civilization is to put power at the service of absolute right and justice. And that is the ultimate goal of Sharia.
The Real Issue: Man’s Self-Discovery
Today, humanity explores outer space, advances technology, and creates artificial intelligence. Yet, one of the greatest remaining mysteries is man himself.
Who is man?
Why was he created?
Why does death exist?
What is true peace? When these questions are left unanswered, a profound void forms within human beings, despite all the comforts of modern life.
The essence of Sharia is not to suppress man, but to guide him toward his true, inherent creation. For whatever departs from its fitrah (primordial nature) inevitably breaks down.
Just as using a telephone as a hammer would destroy it, a human being living outside the purpose of their creation wounds their own soul. Man can only find tranquility when he lives in accordance with his nature.
This is precisely the call of the Qur’an:
“So set your face firmly toward the religion, according to the natural disposition (fitrah) upon which Allah has created mankind.” (Surah Ar-Rum, 30)
Perhaps what humanity needs most today—even before technological advancement—is to rediscover and understand itself once again.