::: Fiqh of Worship (1): Classification of our actions ::: Note: As hinted to you a couple of days earlier, I have started learning Hanafi Fiqh pertaining to matters of ‘Ibaadah. I have been practicing my acts of ‘Ibaadah according to the guidelines of respected Salafi scholars for almost last ten years. Although I do not consider following a Madhhab an obligation, I now feel that following any of the established Madhhabs is the safest option for commoners like me. As my own people are following Hanafi Madhhab for generations, I feel it inappropriate to oppose them. As part of that effort, I started reading the English translation of “Nur al-Idah” originally written by Shaykh Hasan Shurunbulali, which is a classic manual of Hanafi Fiqh, along with commentaries and notes. As I progress, I intend to share some short notes with you regularly so that it becomes easier for me to retain what I have learned. Thanks a lot to Raiiq Ridwan for providing me the book. Let’s begin the journey. According to Hanafi Fiqh, our actions and deeds can be classified into the following categories: 1 – Fardh (obligatory): It is an act which is established by a decisive text whose meaning is decisive and not open to the possibility of interpretation and that which has been established by way of Sunnah Mutawatir. Example: the five daily Prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan etc. One who denies the obligatory nature of a Fardh becomes an unbeliever. 2 – Wajib (necessary): It is an act which is established by a firm command, but which has been established through a text that allows for the possibility of interpretation. Example: Witr Prayer, Sadaqat al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan etc. It is sinful to leave a Wajib act intentionally. 3 – Sunnah Muakkada (emphasized Sunnah): It is an act that our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) or his Companions (radhiyallahu anhum) did most of the time as an act of worship and did not leave it except on a rare occasion. Example: Prayer in congregation, Azan, Iqamah etc. The one who performs it is rewarded, while leaving it is not sinful though is worthy of blame and reprimand. 4 – Nafila (recommended Sunan): It is an act that our Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did one or more times as an act of worship and then discontinued, and did not perform it diligently. Example: The Sunnah Prayer before Isha, fasting on Monday and Thursday of every week etc. The one who performs it is deserving of rewards, while leaving it is not sinful or blameworthy. The other acts of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) are called Sunna Zawa’id. These were his ordinary tasks as a human being such as his dress, choice of food and drink, his dealings and conducts with his family members etc. The one who adopts them in his life with the intention of following the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is upon excellence and is to be rewarded, while leaving them are not sinful or blameworthy. 5 – Mubah (permissible): It is an act that Allah has neither requested nor prohibited, so the person who does it is neither rewardable nor punishable in itself. However, the one who performs it is deserving of rewards if his intention is good. It is also known as Halal. 6 – Makruh Tanzih (somewhat disliked): It is an act which we have been commanded to leave, even though it is not sinful. The one who leaves it is rewarded, while the one who does it has acted sub optimally and is not deserving of punishment. 7 – Makruh Tahrim (prohibitively disliked): It is an act that we have been firmly commanded to leave through a text which is open to interpretation. It is the opposite of Wajib. Denying such a command is misguidance and worthy of punishment, but not disbelief. Performing such an act is sinful. 8 – Haram (forbidden): It is an act which Allah strictly forbids through a decisively established text. It is the opposite of Fardh. The one who commits it is deserving of punishment, while the one who refrains from it out of obedience to Allah is rewarded. Let’s remember the definition of these terms as they will come frequently in our subsequent discussions.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 05:37:02 +0000
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