In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Beneficent
And to you, we have revealed the book with the truth, confirming the scriptures which had already been revealed before it and superceding them, Judge, then, between them in accordance with what Allah has revealed and do not follow their vain desires, forsaking thereby the truth that has come to you. To each of you we have given a code of law and a way of life. Had Allah so willed, he could have made you all one community: but (it is his wish) to test you by means of that which he has bestowed on you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works.. To Allah you shall all return. He will then make you understand all that over which you now differ. Judge between them in accordance with what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their vain desires; and beware of them lest they tempt you away from any part of what Allah has revealed to you. If they turn away, then know that it is Allah’s will to afflict them for some of their sins. Indeed, a great many people are transgressors. Do they desire to be ruled by the law of pagan ignorance? But for those who are firm in their faith, who can be a better lawgiver than Allah?” Surah Al-Maidah: 5: 48-50
The central point in this verse is that no modification of Allah’s law and no compromise with regard to its provisions is admissible for any purpose. In the second part of this passage, this principle is stated with greater clarity. In the first statement, the Prophet (Pbuh) is instructed in these words: “judge, then between them in accordance with what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their vain desires for asking thereby the truth that has come to you.” This statement may be construed as meaning abandoning Allah’s law in total and following their vain desires in preference to it. In the second part, the Prophet is warned against compromising even a portion of what has been revealed to him: “judge between them in accordance with what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their vain desire; and beware of them lest they tempt you away from any part of what Allah has revealed to you” the warning here is more precise, stricter and stronger, it also states the matter in it true nature, it is a temptation which must be resisted, the choice is either to implement Allah’s law in full, or to follow vain desires.
At that time they had the choice whether to refer their disputes to be judged according to Allah’s law and this choice was later abrogated in the land of Islam. Allah’s law has to be implemented except in those areas where followers of other religions have specific Provisions which they are allowed to implement. As the case was such, the Prophet is told not to worry about them if they do not like his commitment to every detail in Allah’s law and if they turn away from Islam: “if they turn away, then know that it is Allah’s will to afflict them for some of their sins. Indeed, a great many people are transgressors,” Do not worry about them if they turn away. Do not let their attitude weaken your resolve to implement Allah’s law in full, It is they who suffer as a result of their turning away because Allah will then afflict them with their sins. Neither the Prophet, nor the Muslim community, nor indeed Allah’s law will come to any harm as a result of their attitude of turning away. Moreover, it is in human nature that many people will transgress. The Prophet is told that he has no say in this state of affairs. Nor is it the fault of Allah’s law. It is they who will not follow the right path.
Having made it absolutely clear to all believers that nothing of the provisions of Allah’s law will compromise for any purpose and under any circumstances, the Surah puts the choices available in contrast. It is either Allah’s law or the law of ignorance: there cannot be a meeting ground between the two. Which one will they choose… the implementation of Allah’s law and following the way of life He has outlined, or the rule of ignorance and vain desires? “Do they desire to be ruled by the law of pagan ignorance? But for those who are firm in their faith, who can be a better lawgiver than Allah?”
This statement defines the meaning of ignorance as the term is used in the Quran. Ignorance means that people are ruled by people, because this signifies that human beings submit to one another, they refused to submit to Allah alone and reject his Godhood, acknowledging instead that some human beings have qualities of godhood and submitting to their authority.
As such, the term pagan ignorance does not refer to a particular period of time, but to a certain situation which may come into existence at any time. Whenever it exists, it must be described as ignorance which is in contrast to Islam.
In all ages and places, people either implement Allah’s law yielding no part of it for any reason, and submit to it willingly, and as such they follow the religion chosen for them by Allah: or they acknowledge and implement a law which is made by man in any shape or form and as such they submit to the one who gives them the law and they cannot be described as following Allah’s religion.
Anyone who does not wish to be ruled by the law actually desires to be ruled by the law of pagan ignorance. It is at this point that the two ways part and people are left to their choices.
The final sentence is a rhetoric question which decries their pursuit of the law of ignorance and emphasizes the superiority of Allah’s law: “for those who are firm in their faith, who can be a better lawgiver than Allah?” Indeed, who can be? Who can claim that he can give people better law than that of Allah? What argument can be given to prove his hollow claim? Can he say that he knows the nature of mankind better than their creator? Can he say that he is more compassionate and sympathetic to mankind than their Lord? Can he say that he knows their interest better than the God of mankind? Or can he say that when Allah gave Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) the final and complete version of the divine Message, might have been unaware of future circumstances and needs and as a result He did not take them into account when He enacted his legislation?
What can one say in justification of setting Allah’s law aside and substituting for it a law of ignorance placing in the process his own desires or those of a particular community or generation above Allah’s law? What can he say if, in spite of that, he still claims to be a Muslim? What is his justification: circumstances? events? people’s unwillingness? Fear of the enemy? Were not all these known to Allah when He commanded Muslims to implement His Law and follow His way of life and never be tempted away from any part of His revelations? Or does he justify his attitude by claiming that Allah’s law does not cater for new needs and new situations? Were not these needs and situations known to Allah when He made this very stern warning? A non-Muslim may say anything he wants, but what can those who claim to be Muslims and say anything and imagine that they continue to be within the fold of Islam? As we have said: This is the point where the ways part. It is Islam or ignorance, faith or unfaith, the rule of Allah or the rule of pagan ignorance, those who choose not to judge in accordance with what Allah has revealed are disbelievers, wrongdoers and transgressors. Their subjects who do not accept Allah’s law are not believers. This question must be absolutely clear in every Muslim’s mind, unless it is so clear; he will not be able to differentiate between truth and falsehood and will not be able to take one footstep in the right direction. If it is still not that clear to some people, it cannot remain so in the minds of those who want to claim for themselves the most honorable title of being Muslims.