The Gorilla and the Bee

Dr Swan told a story, "O my brothers and sisters! Listen to the following aplogue,

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived a Gorilla with his Scrounger Monkeys. We often meet with characters whose powers of amusement are most excellent, and whose company of all things most desirable, from their wit, their gaiety, and their genius. But, such companions are always dangerous, as in a moment of caprice, they may turn their powers against us.

So as these simians. Instead of keeping the forest environment thick and shady, they forced the Elephants, knocked down the trees, and turned the land into a nest for them. They claimed the area, as theirs. This happened, because of their Boss, the Gorilla, was inspired by the habitat of two-legs and upright-walking species, called homo-sapiens. Furthermore, he had an idea, which he thought was the most brilliant. Although on paper, the boundaries of his land had been determined, he wanted to get more. So, the bollard, which was supposed to be here, set up far away across there. A theft monkey who realized it, reminded his boss, "Boss, the limit is not yonder over there, but here!" But the boss just retorted, "We'll see!"

One day, the boss was tasting a drink had a strange taste, just like wines. Its color, flavor, depth, the swirl, the aroma, the taste and the finish, the age-old concept of "Goût de Terroir," which means “Taste of Place” in French, could be justifiably applied to this strange drink. So, he called his trusted theft monkey, This strange drink, what do you call it?" The theft monkey informed, "It's called honey, Boss! The complexity and diversity of honey, is a result of the floral sources that, species called the bees, visit, the area’s weather and climatic conditions, its geographical location and other variable factors. Honey, even more than wine, is a reflection of place. If the process of grape to glass is alchemy, then the trail from blossom to bottle is one of reflection. The nectar collected by the bee is the spirit and sap of the plant, its sweetest juice. Honey is the flower transmuted, its scent and beauty transformed into aroma and taste."

"Where did you get it?" The Boss, was curious. The monkey cleared his throat, "Uhm, I picked it up Boss!" "Where?" said the boss, wanting to know more. "Somewhere Boss, a beautiful place and hard to describe, you better see it for yourself. The place was comfortable, nice to live in!"

He started babbling, began to dream of owning the place, imagine, a good place, a producer of good drinks. "In that case!" said the boss getting up from his rocking chair, "Bring the bollards, we're going to that place!" Somewhat hesitant, the monkey wanted to convey something, "But Boss...!" The Boss interrupted, "Say no more... let's go!"

On the way, the boss's heart was blooming. He imagined, how he would find a comfortable place, produced much and more honey. Many thoughts were in his mind. In that joy, he expressed it by singing a song,

I dream of your first kiss, and then

I feel upon my lips again

A taste of honey

Tasting much sweeter than wine

Oh, I will return, yes, I will return

I'll come back for the honey and you

Do do do do *)

The big monkey had a weakness for honey. The moment this simian had tasted honey for the first time, it had instantly become his favorite. And so, they got into the location. It was indeed a beautiful place. The Boss expressed his admiration, "Aah, what an amazing place! Look at those trees, like those in Paradise. And the flowing river, rumbling like a gust of wind, and the estuary, reminds me of the "Niagara Falls."

He then set out in search of honey. While he was still looking for it, he came to a tree. "Look at that," he exclaimed. Around the trunk of the tree, the big monkey could see a golden fluid running. "It's shining! Oh, this smell. How sweet!"

Then he looked up and saw that the syrupy fluid was running down a branch. And above the branch, he saw a beehive. "I am sure if I climb now and reach the beehive, I will have a tasty meal! I can taste the sweet honey!" his mouth started watering at the sight of the beehive.

Just when the big monkey was planning on his climb, his eyes fell on the bees buzzing around the beehive."Oh, my! There are too many of them," the Gorilla thought. Even though he saw the bees, he was ready to climb for the honey.

The big monkey put his paws around and climbed up and up. Finally, he reached the beehive and strived to reach it. A bee saw the big monkey, stung him. At first, the sting has not been felt, but when more-serious reaction began, he asked the bee, "I am curious, how can someone who can make such delicious honey, sting horribly?” The bee smiled, "Our honey is a work of hard work. And we know it is sweet. But if someone tries to steal it, our sting is just as bitter." 

Then the bee preached the big monkey. "Wanna see more serious wilderness?" while giving a signal to the beehive, dozens of bees attacked. Instantly, the gorilla jumped down and ran as fast as he could towars the river, then threw himself in. Yet, the gorilla had forgotten, that the brattling river, ended in a place, which he mentioned as the "Niagara Falls."

The faithful theft monkey, waiting for his boss by the river until nearly evening.  He mumbled, "Alas, looks like Boss won't show up anymore!" Still waiting, quietly, he hummed,

Yours was the kiss that awoke my heart

There lingers still, though we're far apart

That taste of honey,

Tasting much sweeter than wine *)

Dr Swan explained, "O my brothers and sisters! In Islamic perspective, the concept of ownership is treated with utmost care. The properties that are capable to be owned are well defined and specified. Likewise, the rights of the owner over such property are stipulated in the Shari'ah law. The Shari'ah also affords its protection by laying down rules and regulations, so that owners and other individuals would be guided and will not abuse the power and authority thereby accorded to them.

In Islam, it is generally acknowledged that Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, is the Creator-Owner and Lord Sovereign of "all that is in the heavens and on the earth." Like water, air and sunshine, land is meant for the common use and benefit of the community. Furthermore, He, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, has delegated to man, the power and authority to utilize and exploit the resources He has kindly bestowed upon them.

The basic principle envisaged in Islam relating to land ownership is the concept that land vests solely in Allah. That is, land, as a free and universal gift from Allah, must be utilized to the fullest. It was also given to men for their common use as well as for the general welfare of the society. In short, the system of land ownership as viewed in Islam, is founded in the concept of Amaanah, interpreted as trust, loyalty, honesty, and integrity. 

Every individual, man, and woman, Muslim and non-Muslim, are entitled under the Shari'ah law to the ownership, possession, enjoyment and transfer of property, a right which must be respected and safeguarded by his fellowmen and the State. In other words, ownership of property is a right recognized in Islam and ought to be enjoyed by every sector of the society irrespective of creed, colour and race. Indeed the law provides guidelines for its protection and proper utilization.

The right of private ownership is not prohibited in Islam. Indeed, it is very much encouraged in IsIam to own property. There is no provision in the Shari'ah law that prohibits an individual from owning a property. Individuals have defined rights and liabilities. A person has the right to benefit from the land provided he uses it properly. Islam does not condone pauperization and mendicancy. Being an ideal and rational religion, it acknowledges the sanctity of private ownership.

Islam has not only acknowledged and recognized private ownership, but it also provides for its protection. Allah says,

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا بِهَا إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا فَرِيقًا مِنْ أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ بِالْإِثْمِ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

"And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]." [QS. Al-Baqarah (2):188]

Our beloved (ﷺ) says,

مَنْ أَخَذَ شِبْرًا مِنَ الأَرْضِ ظُلْمًا فَإِنَّهُ يُطَوَّقُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ سَبْعِ أَرَضِينَ

"He who took a span of earth wrongly would be made to wear around his neck seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Muslim]

The above verse and hadith, warned men not to approach and take up somebody's property through unlawful means. Both also prohibits possession by all methods that lead to the destruction and loss to any individual or the society at large. Islam calls for the principle of lawful permission for ownership and keeps conditions and limitations ensuring ownership without oppression and exploitation to others. Islam forbids ownership by deception, cheating or fraud, by usurping or stealing or taking without compensation. It also prohibits possession, which leads to injury to the individual and the society.

Apart from the individual, the State also can own property and exercise the right of ownership. The State being the guardian of individual rights is endowed with the power to intervene and in some cases take away the individual rights to property with a view of protecting the social and individual interests, which are of vital importance. As for the degree and extent of State interference, public welfare or benefit determines this at large. The State acting as representative of the people is empowered to implement the conditions imposed on private ownership even by force if the citizens failed to subscribe to the conditions set thereto."

Dr Swan concluded, "O my brothers and sisters! In many cases, because of ignoring the Amanah, in the name of public interest, individual rights to property, are taken away, only for the benefit of a few. Islam has adopted measures to ensure the proper and equal distribution of wealth to its citizen. Islam calls for the principle of lawful ownership and keeps conditions and limitations ensuring ownership without oppression to others. The Shari'ah law, along with the permission given, provides ratification to protect both individual and communal ownership, so that human being will be guided accordingly. Its very object is, to promote righteousness, and to bring into reality, Social Justice to the whole community. And Allah knows best."

Citations & References:
- James Northcote, RA, One Hundred Fables, Originals and Selected, J. Johnson 

- Siti Mariam Malinumbay S. Salasal, The Concept of Land Ownership : Islamic Perspective, Buletin Geo Informasi
*) "A Taste of Honey" written by Bobby Scott and Ric Marlow, The Beatles' version

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