Title: Regarding Big and Small Virtues and Vices Question: What is considered crime/vice in one social system may not be a crime/vice in another social system. Then what is considered a BIG crime/vice in one social system may EITHER not be a big crime/vice in another social system OR may not even be a crime/vice. Obviously the relevant punishments are also then accordingly decided by the systems of that society. Similar is the case about virtues too. Queries on the philosophy and implications of big and small virtues or big and small crimes/vices are as follows: Are the virtues and crimes/vices categorized, BIG and SMALL? WHO decides what is a virtue and what is a crime/vice? And is this a decision of an individual or of any king or of the society (ie of the head of the state/king or of the government or of the religion) or some international organization or some are decided by an individual, some by the head of the state/king, some by the government, some by the religion and some by an international organization? WHO decides what is BIG and what is SMALL regarding the virtues or crimes/vices? And HOW is it decided what is big and what is small regarding the virtues or crimes/vices? What are the criteria for it? About the punishments and its types for the crimes/vices: Is this decided by an individual or by any king or by the society (ie by the head of the state/king or by the government or by the religion) or by an international organization or some punishments are decided by an individual, some by the head of the state/king, some by the government, some by the religion and some by an international organization? About the rewards and its types for the virtues: Is this decided by an individual or by any king or by the society (ie by the head of the state/king or by the government or by the religion) or by an international organization or some rewards are decided by an individual, some by the head of the state/king, some by the government, some by the religion and some by an international organization? For cleansing an individual or a society/nation, the focus should be on BIG crimes/vices to SMALL or on SMALL to BIG or a suitable combination of both? What are the criteria for deciding this? There are all types of individuals living in a society/nation. Amongst them are some affluent and some poor, some educated/schooled and some illiterate/unschooled, some with designated responsibilities towards the society/nation and some absolutely independent of any such designated responsibility. What's the NATURAL modus operandi for the APPROPRIATE cleansing, be it any one. Is it different for different types of individuals? Is it separately for the individuals and separately for the collective society/nation? WHO is supposed to initiate such a cleansing and HOW? Thank you for your assistance. May God bless you all, eternally. Amen. Malik Shahid Ahsen Pakistan Answer: The answers to your questions according to Islamic doctrine are as follows: Yes. The categories of good and evil are defined by the extent of the effect, whether beneficial or detrimental, of the act. God has laid out the foundations of good and evil and an Islamic society is supposed to be built upon His Guidance, thereby, creating laws for citizens to follow. The ruling government of that society would create additional laws. However, the basic awareness regarding good and evil, vice and virtue is embedded within the human nature. Since the Almighty has defined for us what good and evil are, through Innate and Revealed Guidance, it is up to humankind to develop their own systems within this framework. No one may trespass these bounds created by God. As for the 'big' crimes from a religious perspective, the source of its information is primarily the revealed knowledge of God. The criterion for the distinction between big and small vices and virtues seems, primarily, to be the effects of such vices and virtues. The more significant the moral aspect of a vice or virtue, the more weight it shall be given. As in the previous answers all punishments are meted out within the framework of Islamic doctrine. This is later developed, based on these concepts, by whomever rules the particular society. However, from a secular perspective, the punishment of crimes - being a concept related to the collectivity of a people - is decided by the collectivity or its representatives - or leaders - on its behalf. God is the source of the greatest of rewards and punishments. However, in most societies you will find that a citizen will not necessarily be rewarded for behaving within the laws. You don't get any prizes for being a productive member of society but if you commit crimes, the society, through its representatives, shall punish you. Hence rewards and punishments are typically a feature of God's Compassion, Love and Absolute Justice for His creatures. Society punishes and rarely, if ever, rewards. It is natural on an individual scale to remove small vices first. However, in terms of a much grander scale (such as a society) the revolutionary route might be the best way to go about correcting society's ills. What I mean by this is that the bigger more damaging elements of evil should be removed first. However, each and every case is unique and wisdom should be used in deciding what measures to take, whether individual or societal. Sometimes it may be necessary that the reversal of measures should be taken; individuals should cleanse themselves of all major vices first, as for society it may be prudent to eliminate small crimes first. As I said it all depends on the situation and that which would be the most wise and beneficial action to take for the person or society involved. Most of the answers to this question are covered in number six above. However, you ask who is supposed to initiate the "cleansing". Again, this would be dependent on the factors of the situation. Sometimes an individual can gather himself/herself together and wipe away the "vices." Yet, sometimes, individuals may need assistance from others sources such as family, friends or institutions, etc. The same goes for society. One leader may be enough to gear the society to correct the ills but depending on the nature of the situation it may take a collectivity to make that change. These changes are made is based on the goals that are being attempted to be achieved. As a principle, however, the responsibility of cleansing is placed according to one's position, circle of influence, circle of authority etc. As for the methods of cleansing, it should start from instilling the desire to adhere to all our moral values, which, subsequently, should pave the door for all of the detailed teachings and directives of God. It should, nevertheless, be kept in mind that the detailed process of cleansing is, in fact, the complete adherence, in letter and spirit, to all of the laws prescribed by God, backed by the complete acceptance of all the necessary elements of belief prescribed by the Almighty. It is clear that an Islamic society is one that is built upon the foundation of Islamic religious principals. The blue print is established in the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet in which the society is to build upon, without ever deviating from the Master Plan. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan March 17, 2003