Abrogation in Islamic Law – At the Clerical College
Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses the subject of abrogation in Islamic law, explaining the linguistic and technical meanings of abrogation as the cancellation of a previous ruling and the replacement of it with another ruling, or the removal of something and the establishment of something else in its place. He emphasizes the importance of studying this subject for anyone involved in Islamic jurisprudence, issuing religious rulings, or making legal judgments, so that they may understand the verses and rulings that are said to have been abrogated. He reviews several Quranic verses used by researchers to establish the existence of abrogation and refers to Muslim scholars and books that have studied and analyzed this subject.
Spiritual Message
The discussion then moves to the claim that Christianity abrogated Judaism, or that the Gospel abrogated the Torah. It explains that the Lord Jesus Christ did not come to abolish or cancel the teachings of the Old Testament, but rather to complete people’s understanding of them and elevate their perception of the spirit of the commandments. It emphasizes that Christ’s statement, “I did not come to abolish but to fulfill,” clarifies His position regarding the Law and the Prophets. The ancient commandments were not abolished; rather, the Lord Jesus revealed their spiritual depth and true meaning.
Educational Lesson
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains this through examples from the Sermon on the Mount. He points out that the commandment “You shall not commit adultery” was not abolished. Instead, the Lord Jesus explained that adultery is not limited to the outward act but also includes lust and sinful desires in the heart. Likewise, the commandment “You shall not murder” was not abolished. Christ explained that unjustified anger, insults, and hurtful words constitute an offense against the human person and their dignity.
He also explains the distinction between the principle of “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” as a judicial principle intended to establish justice and prevent punishment from exceeding the extent of the harm, and personal dealings with others, which should be based on love, forgiveness, and peace. He emphasizes that Christianity does not oppose the principle of judicial justice, but calls individuals to practice love, patience, and reconciliation in their personal relationships.
He also provides examples from the Old Testament, such as Joseph’s kindness toward his brothers who had wronged him, and the forgiveness shown by the Prophet David toward King Saul, who pursued him. These examples demonstrate that loving one’s enemies and showing kindness to those who do wrong were also present in the Old Testament.
Practical Application
This teaching calls us not to settle for a merely literal understanding of the commandments, but to seek their spirit and spiritual depth. A person should avoid anger, insults, and hurting others, and should deal with those who offend them through love, forgiveness, and patience. One should also seek reconciliation and peace rather than conflict and resorting to the courts in personal dealings whenever possible.
The discussion concludes that the Lord Jesus Christ came to complete people’s understanding of the Law, rather than to complete the Law itself, because the Law was already perfect, even though some people had not understood its perfection.
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