“For every people We have prescribed a way of worship which they follow. So (O Muhammad), let them not dispute with you concerning this, and call them to your Lord. You are certainly on the Straight Path.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 22:67)
The word mansak used here is not in the limited sense of ritual sacrifice. It rather signifies the whole system of worship. In Verse 34 of this Surah the same word means ‘the ritual of sacrifice’ because in that context what was indicated was the ritual of sacrifice and nothing else. The use of the word on that occasion was followed by the Qur’ānic statement: ‘that they pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle He has provided them’. However, in the present verse there is no basis for taking this word in its limited sense of just the ‘ritual of sacrifice’. Likewise, here the word mansak means ‘way of worship and service’ since here both situations are meant. In other words, it refers to the mode of worship and service which is synonymous with the word Shari’ah.
The earlier Prophets prescribed a particular way for their communities. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) also prescribed a particular way for his community. No one is entitled to dispute this because this is the only way that is suitable for the present age. This point is put forward in the Qur’ān as follows: ‘Then We put you on the right way of religion: so follow that and do not follow the desires of those who do not know’ (al-Jathiyah 45:18).