Cosmic Divine Laws in Punishing Tyrants and Oppressors

(An Exegetical Study)

Abstract

It is well known that God Almighty has made the universe and life operate according to a system and general rules known as Divine laws (Sunan), which govern them and proceed according to causes and effects. Knowledge of the cosmic divine laws, in all their forms—whether at the level of individuals or communities, and whether extraordinary laws or ordinary ongoing laws—is an obligation. The study has demonstrated the evidence for this obligation, such as taking admonition, glorifying God Almighty, moving toward perfection, and linking the human being to his Creator, and so forth. The study also included a section explaining the types of divine laws and their classifications, as well as clarifying their characteristics and features. Some of these characteristics include universality, comprehensiveness, consistency, and the fact that they do not change or alter, with an emphasis on the divine nature of these laws, among other aspects. There is a distinction between ongoing cosmic laws and those related to individuals and societies. The former occur through compulsion and inevitability; for example, the alternation of night and day does not differ until the end of the world. As for the laws concerning individuals and societies, they are related to human actions carried out with will, desire, and choice. Another difference is that what pertains to the laws governing individuals involves God’s commands and prohibitions, His promises and threats, and His legislation, whereas none of these apply to the cosmic laws. The study also addressed the objection concerning the inclusion of the innocent in collective punishment within the divine laws. It was clarified that among the characteristics of divine laws are universality and comprehensiveness, which necessitate the inclusion of the innocent in collective punishment. However, the Holy Qur’an affirms that a person is not punished for the sin of another, as stated in His saying: “No bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another” (Qur’an 6:164). This apparent contradiction is resolved by explaining that the verse refers to punishment in the Hereafter, where no one is punished for another’s sin. The inclusion of the innocent in the consequences of others’ actions is specific to divine laws operating in the worldly life and has no relation to the Hereafter.