That which is obligatory upon the Muslims

That which is obligatory upon the Muslims
by Shaykh ‘Alee Muhammad Naasir al-Faaqihee
on Saturday, May 7th, 2005

http://www.albaseerah.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1085

The Shaykh حفظه الله تعالى began in the name of Allaah, sending praise upon Him and asking that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى send His Praise and blessing upon the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم. Then the Shaykh went on to say that it pleases us, dear brothers, to speak to you tonight about some very important issues which are imperative upon the Muslims to have an understanding about. And that which is obligatory upon the Muslims, as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has explained in His Book, is to have knowledge. Allaah says:

فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ

{So know (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) that Laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah),
and ask forgiveness for your sin…}[Muhammad 47:19]

And for this reason, Imaam Al-Bukhaaree named a chapter in his book, in the book of Al-Eemaan: “Knowledge comes before statements and actions”. And then Allaah says in Soorah at-Tawbah:

فَلَوْلاَ نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ

{…Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islaamic) religion,
and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil).} [A-Tawbah 9:122]

Knowledge of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى

So Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has shown here that knowledge comes before the actions. And the most noble of the knowledge, as the ‘ulamaa have explained, is the Knowledge of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. And this knowledge of Allaah is inclusive of the Tawheed of Allaah, or declaring His Unity. It is inclusive of all three types of Tawheed, they are:

• Tawheed al-Uloohiyah, or Allaah’s سبحانه و تعالى right to be worshipped alone.
• Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah, Allaah’s سبحانه و تعالى Oneness in His Lordship and
• Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat, Allaah’s سبحانه و تعالى Oneness as it relates to His Beautiful Names and Attributes.

The Shahaadah (Testimony)

And after that, it is upon the Muslims to learn that which is important for him in his Religion. And for that reason, when the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم began his da’wah, he began with the testimony that “none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم” and this is the first pillar of Islaam.


The Salaah (Prayer)

After that pillar, comes the very important pillar of Salaah. And that which shows and indicates its importance is that the salaah was not made obligatory on the Earth. That is, its legislation of becoming obligatory was not done on the Earth as the rest of the obligations of Islaam were made by way of Jibreel to the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. Rather, the salaah was made obligatory in the seventh Heaven. That is, on the night of al-Israa wal-Mi’raaj, Allaah made obligatory upon this Ummah (nation) the salaah, and that was done by Allaah سبحانه و تعالى in the seventh Heaven.

Also, from the importance of the salaah, is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم encouraged us to make it in jamaa’ah, i.e. to make it as one group. Likewise, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said ‘pray as you have seen me pray’[1]. The Sahaabah (the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم) and likewise the ‘ulamaa (Scholars) that came after them clearly explained to us and related to us the way that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم prayed.


Praying in Congregation

After that, the issue of praying in jamaa’ah (congregation) is extremely important and it is something that is obligatory upon the Muslims (men) and it is from the Sunnah of Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. Abdullah ibn Mas’ood رضى الله عنه said that it was from the sunan of hudaa i.e. from the ways of guidance and if you leave the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم, then indeed you will go astray. [2]

From the things that the Muslim benefits from praying in jamaa’ah, or praying in congregation, is that it is an encouragement for the people to be together. Likewise, when the Muslims do it they will exchange information with each other, they will check on one another and make sure everyone is okay. So praying in jamaa’ah, or praying in congregation, it is that pillar which many things are built upon in the life of the Muslim.


Salaah builds the relationship between the Muslim and Allaah سبحانه و تعالى

Then after that, likewise, it is upon the Muslim to know that this salaah, it is the relationship between him and His Lord سبحانه و تعالى and it is that which will build the relationship between him and His Lord. Any time an affair would concern the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم he would rush to make the salaah. Likewise, from that which shows its importance is the fact that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم commanded with it and advised this Ummah with it. Even in the last moments of his صلى الله عليه و سلم life; when they would take the scarf off his face he would say “as-salaah”, to remind them of the salaah, reminding them of the prayer. Likewise, from that which shows its importance is the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم where he said that “the contrast that is between us and them it is the salaah so whoever leaves it, then indeed, he has disbelieved”[3]. So there is no portion of Islaam for the one who leaves the salaah and it is upon the Muslim to protect his salaah and to pray it at the prescribed time, as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:

إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَاباً مَّوْقُوتاً

{…Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.} [An-Nisaa’ 4:103]

Perform righteous actions

Then after salaah, the Muslim should do his best to come with all of the righteous actions – whether from giving charity, from commanding with the good and forbidding the evil, from being righteous to his neighbours or building relationships with his neighbours and all of the other righteous actions, because all of the actions of Islaam are good deeds and all of them are righteous.


Da’wah – Be a good example to the Non-Muslims

The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم was sent as a mercy to mankind, to all of mankind. When you look at the people in these countries, the countries of the disbelievers, if the non-Muslims see that the Muslims are those who keep their relations with their family members, and that they are people who are merciful, they are people who are dutiful to their parents, they are those who protect their muwaa’eed (appointments), they are those who fulfil their trusts, then this type of Muslim is going to be an example for all of the other people around him. So when the non-Muslims see the Muslims doing these types of actions, then indeed he (the Muslim) will be an example for them. And they will be inshaa’Allaah ta’aalaa the type of people who look towards Islaam, and look towards the religion of Islaam, not as a religion of terrorism as some of them would like to say, but rather a religion of mercy, a religion that takes care of the poor and the needy. So it is upon the Muslim in his dealings to do what he does, firstly for Allaah سبحانه و تعالى meaning that he does it seeking the Face of Allaah, seeking the reward of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and then after that intending to spread the Da’wah of Islaam. So the da’wah is performed with the tongue, with the statements and it is also performed with actions.


Kindness to neighbours

From righteous actions, is the importance of the Muslim being righteous to his neighbour and being kind to his neighbour. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has commanded us with kindness to our neighbours, as He mentions in the Qur’aan in the ayaah:

وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ

{…(and do good to) the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger…} [an-Nisaa’ 4:36]

From the examples of this, is that which comes in Adab al-Mufrad by Imaam al-Bukhaaree on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas رضى الله عنه. He used to have a man that would slaughter his sacrificial animals for him, or that would slaughter the meat that he would use for his family in general. He told this man one time, and he had another person that was with him at the time, “If you begin to pan out the meat, then start with our Jewish neighbour”. So there was a man who was with ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Aas at the time and he said to him, “you start with the Jew”? ‘Abdullaah said, “That’s correct. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم commanded us to be kind to our neighbours and he used to start with the one whose door was closest to him”.[4] So in this case, the door of the Jewish man was closest and so he started with him in his passing out of the meat.

The Shaykh hafithahullaah ta’aalaa he said that, if we look at this example then we see that this is something, that the Companions used to do and it is from the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم. So if you are someone who is kind to your neighbours, you will find inshaa Allaahu ta’aalaa that this has a very deep effect on their hearts. And you will also be illustrating the point that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم was not sent to the Arab alone. Rather he was sent to the red people, and to the black people and it didn’t make a difference, as his message was for all of mankind as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

{And We have sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) not but as a mercy for the ‘Aalamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists).} [al-Anbiyaah 21:107]

The Shaykh حفظه الله تعالى went on to mention the ayah in Soorah an-Nisaa’ where Allaah سبحانه و تعالى said:

وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ
وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُوراً

{ Worship Allâh and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masâkîn (the needy),
the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet),
and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allâh does not like such as are proud and boastful.} [An-Nisaa’ 4:36]

This ayah in Sooratun Nisaa’, the Shaykh went on to explain it by saying that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى started out by commanding that you only worship Allaah and that you do not associate any partners with Him. He started out with the worship of Allaah because this is the origin and this is the base rule, and everything that comes after it is based on the fact that you’re worshipping Allaah سبحانه و تعالى alone. Then He commanded that you be kind to your parents, as it comes in many other aayaat in the Book. Then the Shaykh went on to mention, that the yateem (orphan) is the child who does not have any one to care for him or his father has passed away. Likewise, the one who is needy. As it relates to the close neighbour, then this close neighbour can either mean that they are a relative or that they are close in distance, meaning that their house is close to your home.

So the Shaykh said if this neighbour of yours is a Muslim and he is a relative, then he has three different rights over you. He has the right of Islaam, the right of being the neighbour and also the right of being a relative. So when you present to them something, when you give them a gift, then this will be considered something that builds the relationship. That which is intended by the foreign neighbour, is the neighbour that is not a Muslim as the Shaykh said. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, in these aayaat is showing us those things that if we do them, then they will be those things by His Permission which will enter the people into Islaam and that it will show the people that Islaam does not have the type of dryness or the type of harshness that you may find in some of the religions that came before. Rather it is a Religion of Mercy.


Taqwa of Allaah

The Shaykh he said after that I advise you all with that which Allaah سبحانه و تعالى commanded us with, that which He commanded His first servants and His last servants with, or the previous servants as well as His latter servants and that is with the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى – to have taqwa of Allaah. And taqwa is that you perform the actions that you have been commanded with, and that you stay away from that which you have been prohibited from. Likewise, it is to place between yourself and between Allaah سبحانه و تعالى a wiqaayah of protection. And that protection is by doing the righteous deeds and staying away from the evil deeds. All of the righteous deeds are from taqwa or from the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى.

For example, one who gives sadaqah (charity), one who is truthful, one who is trustworthy, one who is righteous, one who is kind to his neighbour. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, as it comes in the hadeeth said: “Jibreel continued to commanded me with kindness to the neighbour so that I thought that he would make him (the neighbour) from my inheritors”.[5] So all of the righteous actions that one does is from taqwa. Likewise, staying away from the evil actions, from the sins and disobedience to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى this is also considered to be from taqwa. So for example, to stay away from backbiting, to stay away from tale carrying, to stay away from talking about the honour of Muslims, to stay way from cursing the Muslims or speaking evil about them, all of these are from the things, which are considered to be taqwa or fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى.

And from the bounties of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, is that He does not make takleef of His servants, that He does not impose upon His servants anything that they do not have the ability to do. He does not make us responsible for more than we can bear. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said in the authentic hadeeth: “If I command you with something, then do from it that which you can. And if I prohibit you from something, then stay away from it”.[6] All of the Islaamic rulings, all of the rulings of Islaam are based upon this hadeeth – that you do that which you can of that which you have been commanded with, and that you stay far away from that which you have been prohibited from. So for example, as-salaah (prayer), if you are not able to pray standing then you can pray sitting down. This is from doing that which you can. If you do not have money, it is not upon you to pay zakaat. If you do not have enough money, then it is not upon you to make the Hajj. This is as it relates to the things that you have been commanded with.

As it relates to the things, that you have been prohibited from, then you stay away from it period and you don’t go close to it. So for example, you protect your tongue – this is something that you can do. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى prohibits us from drinking intoxicants, so this is something that we can do. All of the things that are evil are things that we do not have to do, meaning that it is easy for us to stay away from these things. As for the things that you have been commanded with, then maybe you can do it and maybe you can’t do it. However, the things that you cannot do, or the things you have been commanded to stay away from, you have to stay away from them. Don’t let anybody say that ‘I can’t stop drinking intoxicants’ for example. Rather this individual can stop, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم told us: “And if I have prohibited for you something, then stay away from it”.[6]