Title: The Prophet's Authority (or Lack Thereof) to Declare Something Lawful or Otherwise Question: In reference to your translation of Aal `Imran (65 - 68), is it true that the Nazarenes at any time during their history, or at least those contemporary to the Prophet (pbuh), have claimed Abraham to be a Nazarene/Christian? While acknowledging the fact that its being mentioned in the Qur'an is enough evidence, I just wanted to know whether there is any historical/written record of this fact? I know that only God Almighty has the authority to declare something as lawful or unlawful. But, if I'm not mistaken, there is a certain narrative in which someone asked the Prophet (pbuh) whether it was obligatory to perform Hajj every year, and the Messenger (saw), after remaining silent for a while, replied something to the effect that "Were I to say yes it would become so". Or "Had I replied in the affirmative, it would indeed have become so". The people who erroneously believe that the Prophet (pbuh) has a parallel authority to declare what is lawful and unlawful may also cite this narrative as evidence to substantiate their claim. What is your opinion about this report, in light of the Qur'an and after due deliberation on all related narratives? I also wanted to know whether on the Day of Judgment animals, like humans and the jinn, will be accountable for their actions too. I believe there is a certain narrative which states that even a stag will be answerable on that Day if it had attacked another stag without reason. What is the status of this report? Is it merely an individual report or can it be substantiated/strengthened by any Qur'anic verse/s or parallel narratives/reports? Does it negate established religion or reason in any way? Keep up the excellent work. Your brother in humanity and Islam Answer: The statement regarding the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is, in general, a statement referring to the fact that both Christians and Jews claimed him for their faith. The interesting thing is that this belief does not stem from biblical scripture. It is actually a statement of pretentiousness. Neither group had any basis for their claims. One of the verses that could be used for such a claim in the New Testament is: Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. - Galatians 3: 7-9 (NIV) The verse above does not state that Prophet Abraham was Christian, it is merely presented to show how verses of the Bible may have been interpreted in favor of this belief. In regards to the mentioned hadith (narrative) it should be appreciated that indeed the Prophet (pbuh) did not declare what is permissible and forbidden without Divine authorization. The hadith is clear in its import regarding an incident in which a person asked a question that did not need further clarification. The Prophet responded accordingly by stating that it would be too difficult of an obligation to be performed. It should be appreciated that there is nothing in this hadith that one can deduce that the Prophet personalized what is halal (permissible) and what is haram (forbidden). One should appreciate that some questions would go into too much detail and as a result strangle the Shari'ah's (Islamic Law) indulgent nature. Dissecting the anatomy of religion in the minutest detail may cause confusion, misguidance, and an endless entangling web of disorientation. Moreover, this is one of the sources of rigidity that has gripped religion, which in reality had no place. Of course this does not mean that we should not question just that we should realize where we are going with the questions and what are we truly achieve. Certainly it is human to want to know more but it is also our responsibility to ponder over our thoughts, ideas, and questions more thoroughly. Unfortunately, I could not find the referred hadith regarding animals. It has been that, due to the lack of Divine information related to animals, we do not truly know their outcome and therefore we shy from giving an answer for the lack of certainty. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan February 9, 2007