A Muslim should keep in mind that the things that Almighty Allah has prohibited imply no good or usefulness for people; He Most High has forbidden only such things that are impure or harmful for people. Hence, Muslims are required not to follow their whims and personal inclinations when it comes to using things or doing actions. When Allah Most High states that a certain thing is forbidden, believers are to shun it altogether, sticking firmly to Almighty Allah’s orders by saying (…we hear and we obey…) (An-Nur 24:51). (An-Nur 24:51).
Furthermore, it is out of Almighty Allah’s mercy that if He forbids some things for His servants, He provides them with a wider range of lawful alternatives of a similar kind. Besides, it is established in Islam that the sphere of the things prohibited is very small, while that of the things permissible is extremely vast. This is because there is a juristic rule that states that the things which Almighty Allah has created for man’s use are essentially permissible, unless there is a sound and explicit religious text (from the Qur’an or the Sunnah) that stipulates that a certain thing is forbidden.
The eminent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi states: One of the virtues of Islam and its initial accomplishments for man’s good is that in place of every prohibited thing, Allah Almighty compensates His servants with a lawful alternative of a similar kind. Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) tackled this point in his books Rawdat Al-Muhibin, p. 10, and I`lam Al-Muaq`in, p. 111.
For example, Allah Most High has forbidden divination with arrows and has ordained instead the Istikharah Prayer. When a person wants to decide on a certain matter but hesitates between the choices, he may offer a two-rak`ah Prayer and beseech Almighty Allah to guide him to the right decision. There is a certain du`aa’ to say in this respect. Islam also teaches its followers to consult wise people when it comes to making an important decision. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was reported to have said, “He who consults (experienced and wise people) will not go wrong; nor will he who counsels others regret.”
Allah Almighty has also forbidden riba (interest) has but allowed people to increase their capitals through trade in lawful fields.
Likewise, He Almighty has forbidden His male servants to wear clothes made of silk, but has allowed them to put on other kinds of fine clothes such as those made of wool, cotton, or flax. As well, He Most High has prohibited adultery and homosexuality, but allowed people to satisfy their sexual desires through lawful marriage between men and
women.
Allah Almighty has also forbidden intoxicant drinks and certain kinds of food that are harmful to eat, yet He has permitted people to have other useful and delicious kinds of drink and food.
In fact, reviewing the ordinances and rulings stipulated by Islam in their totality, we find that if Allah limits the choice of His servants in relation to some things, He provides them with a wider range of more wholesome alternatives. This is because Allah has no desire indeed to make people’s lives difficult, narrow, and circumscribed; on the contrary, He desires ease, goodness, guidance, and mercy for them, according to His words: (Allah doth wish to make clear to you and to show you the ordinances of those before you; and (He doth wish to) turn to you (in mercy): and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. Allah doth wish to turn to you, but the wish of those who follow their lusts is that ye should turn away (from Him), far, far away. Allah doth wish to lighten your (difficulties): for man was created weak (in flesh)) (An-Nissa’ 4:26-28).