know that the fundamental rule concerning all existing things, however varied their kinds and characteristics, is that they are unrestrictedly lawful for human beings and ritually pure: people are not forbidden to use, handle, or touch them. This is a comprehensive statement, a general principle, and a valuable proposition of immense benefit and far-reaching blessing. Those versed in the Sharia turn to it in countless matters of conduct and situations arising in people’s lives. It is supported by ten proofs from the Sharia that I presently recall. These are:

The Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger, and following the path of the believers—all brought together in His words, Exalted is He:

“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”

And His words:

“Your ally is none but Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe.”

Then come the methods of analogy and reflection, and the approaches of reasoned judgment and discernment.

The first category: the Book

This comprises several verses. The first is His saying, Exalted is He:

“It is He who created for you all that is on the earth.”

This addresses all people, since the passage begins with His words:

“O mankind, worship your Lord.”

The reasoning is that He declares that He created everything on earth for people, relating these things to them through the preposition li- (“for”). This preposition expresses a relationship: it indicates that the thing so related is assigned to the one to whom it is related, and that the latter is entitled to it in whatever manner is appropriate. This meaning applies throughout its uses, as when people say, “The wealth belongs to Zayd,” or “The saddle is for the riding animal,” and similar expressions. It follows, then, that people have been granted possession of, and enabled to make use of, everything on earth