Hamdard Islamicus Vol. XLIV. No. 3 7 .. EDITORIAL This year’s third issue of Hamdard Islamicus presents an informative and inspiring bouquet of articles covering and elaborating Islamic teachings pertinent to various spheres of life. These teachings keep man away from motivations of Satan for inclusion of man as Allah’s dutiful and blessed servants. Finding appropriate and satisfactory guidance from Islam for resolving a number of contemporary world’s issues, requires knowledge regarding the teachings of Islam as per Islam’s true spirit and high calibre to suggest specific way for choosing right path. The main and very basic sources of knowledge are The Holy Qur’Én and Sunnah, both have reached us through the last Prophet (Øal Allah-u-‘alaihe wa sallam) of Allah Almighty. The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah have provided certain principles named qawā‘id al-fiqhiyyah (Islamic legal principles). Regarding these qawā‘id an important book entitled al-Ashbāh wa’l- Naẓā’ir was compiled by Ibn Nujaym. The author of the first article of this issue entitled “The Significance of al-Ashbāh wa’l-Naẓā’ir of Ibn Nujaym” has described remarkable features of Ibn Nujaym’s work which may be interesting for Islamic scholars and lovers of Islam. Among all the worldly creatures of Allah Almighty, only human beings and jinns have been granted the power of thinking, feeling, analysing, freedom of expression and taking decisions subject to certain limitations. Misuse of this freedom of expression often causes complaints against it. Islamic and Western systems of life react to this freedom, in remarkably different ways to each other. The second article of this issue entitled “Freedom of Expression and its Restriction in Islamic and Western Philosophy: An Analysis of Direct and Indirect Harm” deals with a highly important issue of the contemporary world. It proves in detail that injustice emerges from the absolute freedom of expression allowed by Western liberal philosophy. While Islamic philosophy grants permission of controlled freedom of expression with reasonable moral and legal restrictions. The author beautifully explains the merits of Islam’s approach and demerits of Western liberal jurisprudence which results in resentment, spoiling of human rights and even huge wars. 8 Editorial .. Every person dislikes losses and damages to him/her and personal belongings. Based on this natural desire, institution of insurance has been created. Islam has its own opinion for this practice and Islamic scholars, after a thorough research, have introduced a rectified system of insurance as per Islamic divine teachings and named it Takaful. However, it is possible certainly that some participants of Takaful also misrepresent their data either intentionally or unintentionally. For all such cases, experts of takaful have created different rules and regulations. The third article entitled “Remedies for Misrepresentations in Takaful Contract: Current Industry Practice in Malaysia” discusses in detail these circumstances, though focussing Malaysian society, but from this discussion, ways of resolving relevant issues may be gained in other Islamic countries as well. Islam is the comprehensive and most logical religion. It covers each and every aspect of not only individual’s life but the whole society as well. Allah Almighty is most Merciful to His creatures and He does not like any harm to be caused for anyone of His creatures. In this regard, He has bestowed upon mankind, detailed advice through His last book The Holy Qur’Én and His last Prophet (Øal Allah-u-‘alaihe wa sallam) for living safely in the world. These advice include prohibition of certain foods and drinks for remaining healthy and getting protection against various diseases and ailments. The fourth article of this issue entitled “Preventive Prophetic Medicine in Foods and Beverages: An Analytic Study” discusses in detail such prophetic traditions related to prevention of taking foods or beverages having prohibited elements. The author has tried to find and prove the reason of these prohibitions scientifically too. Ignoring Islamic teachings results into injustice and atrocities in a large sphere of society which includes owners of lands and their poor workers as well. Man’s envy and urge for getting more and more compels him to grab vast areas of lands and taking labour from his poor farmers. He becomes so miserly and stingy that he often deprives his subordinate poor persons of even the basic rights of living. Islam has given an ideal economic system to prevent the rich from becoming atrocious and protecting the poor from this atrocity, besides guiding the proper way of life for bestowing relief on the poor as well. The last article of this issue entitled “The Holy Qur’Én’s Voice of Revolution against Landlords” throws light on detailed injunctions provided by Islam for maintaining a land system based on justice leading to prosperity for everyone. Dr. Muhammad Wasie Fasih Butt Editor