Comparative Shiʿi Theology

comparative study of the philosophy of rulings in Islam and Judaism based on the Qur'an and the Holy Bible

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Amin Abbaspour
Mahdi Izadi
Mohammad Hosein Mashhadi Tafreshi

Imam Sadiq University

https://doi.org/10.22054/jcst.2025.81786.1180
Abstract
1-Introduction
The philosophy underlying religious rulings and the rationale for legislating commands are fundamentally rooted in the principles of benefit (maslaha) and the avoidance of harm (mafasid). This framework aims to enable all of humanity to attain happiness by divine guidance and wisdom.A detailed examination of the causes and factors behind the rulings legislated in Islam and Judaism reveals instances where the rationale for these rulings is interwoven with various considerations and possesses distinct origins. In Judaism, for example, religious rulings may be issued "based on punishment and retribution for deeds" in response to sin or transgression, resulting in the prohibition of actions deemed permissible in Islam. This divergence creates a significant and impactful distinction between the rationales behind the laws (ʿilal al-sharāʾiʿ) of Islam and Judaism. The Holy Quran refers to these burdensome and arduous rulings as "bonds" (ʾiṣr) and indicates that such rulings existed in the past but have since been lifted in Islam.
2-Research Question (s)
The present study seeks to answer the following two questions:

Does the philosophy of religious rulings (Ahkam) in Islam, as the final religion, differ from that of Judaism?
If there is a difference, what are the causes of the divergence, and which can be considered superior?
Literature Review

Regarding the background of the research, studies have been published concerning the philosophy of Islamic rulings and the idea that all divine commands are based on benefits and harms. Among these are the articles "Benefit in Jurisprudence" by Abedi, Ahmad, (1997), Naghd va Nazar Journal, No. 12, pp. 166-177, "The Dependence or Non-Dependence of Rulings on Real Benefits and Harms" by Alidoust, Abolghasem, (2005), Islamic Law Journal, No. 6, pp. 9-32, and the book "The Criteria of Rulings and Methods of Discovering Them" by Ayazi, Seyed Mohammad Ali, (2010), published by the Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture. These works focus solely on the "philosophy and reasons for Islamic rulings" and their details. To date, no independent work has been produced on the reasons and factors behind rulings in Judaism and their comparison with the philosophy of Islamic rulings.
4.Methodology
This research was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, drawing upon verses from the Holy Quran, authentic narrations, and a comparative study with the Holy Bible.
5.Results

In Jewish law, some obligations and rulings caused or were accompanied by difficulty and hardship for those obligated. Some laws were fundamentally established for this purpose so that, while serving as a punishment, the performance of the law would be arduous for the individual.
Punishment-oriented laws have two important characteristics: 1. They prohibit previously permissible things. 2. Compliance with them is accompanied by hardship for those obligated and involves difficulty.
The strict laws were lifted and made permissible after the advent of Islam and thanks to the prophethood of the Messenger of God (s). No further religious laws were established based on the punishment of people's actions because Islam is free from extremism and negligence and is easy.
Laws do not contradict the wisdom of God Almighty. Considering the two principles of Islam being the final religion and the gradual and step-by-step nature of the enactment of religious laws, there is no contradiction between the enactment of a law based on punishment and retribution and the benefit and wisdom of God.
Islamic laws are eternal because the philosophy of their enactment is based on benefit. However, in Judaism, because the enactment of some laws is intertwined with punitive and prohibitive matters, they cannot be everlasting.
The imposition of punitive rulings can also be examined from the perspective of trial and tribulation. This means that prohibition is a devotional obligation from God, and obedience to it will lead to divine pleasure and reward.

Keywords

The Holy Quran
Philosophy of Laws
Islam
Judaism
Comparative Studies
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Comparative Shiʿi Theology
Volume 5, Issue 9
September 2024
Pages 227-252

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