A SUMMARY OF ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE

INTRODUCTION

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of prophets, and upon his household, his Companions, and whoever follows their example with good conduct until the Day of Recompense. 

To commence, this is a brief account of juristic issues, in which views are provided with proofs from the Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition) and the Qur’ân. I have previously delivered the content of this book in the form of sermons broadcast on radio, and I have been repeatedly asked by the audience to redeliver them, and to publish them as a treatise, for the sake of continuous benefit, if Allah wills. In fact, I never intended this book to be published when it was under preparation, but in response to the wish of many people, I reviewed it, arranged its contents, and presented it to be published. And here it is now, gentle reader, between your hands; whatever correctness and benefit you find therein are out of the Grace of Allah, Alone, and whatever mistakes you find are mine, and I seek the forgiveness of Allah for them.

This treatise is an abstract of a book entitled Ar-Rawdul-Murbi` fî Sharh Zâdul-Mustaqni` including its footnotes, written by Sheikh `Abdur-Rahmân Ibn Muhammad Ibn Qâsim (may Allah have mercy on him), bearing in mind that I added some remarks, when necessary.

I ask Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, to guide us all to useful knowledge and righteous deeds. May Allah confer peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his household, and his Companions.

The Virtues of Understanding Religion

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his household, his Companions, and whoever follows their example with good conduct until the Day of Recompense.

To commence, understanding the religion is considered one of the best deeds, and a sign of goodness. The Prophet (PBUH) says: 

“If Allah wants to do good for a person, He makes him understand the religion.” 1

This is because comprehending the religion leads to useful knowledge upon which righteous deeds depend. Allah, Exalted be He, says: 

“It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth…”                                                                 (Qur’ân: Al-Fath: 28) 

“Guidance” here refers to useful knowledge, and “the religion of truth” is that which leads to righteous deeds. Besides, Allah commanded the Prophet (PBUH) to invoke him for more knowledge; Allah, Exalted be He, said: 

“… And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’ ”

(Qur’ân: Tâhâ: 114) 

Al-Hâfiz Ibn Hajar comments that the aforesaid Qur’anic verse,“…And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge,’ ” is a clear indication of the merit and excellence of knowledge, for Allah never commanded His Prophet (PBUH) to invoke Him for more of anything other than knowledge2. The Prophet (PBUH) used to refer to the assemblies wherein useful knowledge is taught as “The Gardens of Paradise,” and he (PBUH) stated that “Men of knowledge are the inheritors of prophets.”

There is no doubt that before one starts doing something one should know how to perform it in the best way, so as to perform it well to harvest its desired fruits. Likewise, it is by no means reasonable that one starts worshipping one’s Lord – the way through which one’s salvation from Hellfire and admittance to Paradise are gained – without having due knowledge.

As such, people are divided into three categories regarding knowledge and deeds:

The first category is represented in those who combine useful knowledge along with righteous deeds. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided to the straight path; the path of those upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous, and excellent indeed are these as companions.

The second category is represented in those who learn useful knowledge but do not act accordingly. Those are the ones who have evoked Allah’s anger, like the Jews and whoever follows their footsteps.

The third category is represented in those who act without having knowledge. Those are the ones who are astray, namely the Christians and their likes.

These three categories are mentioned in the Sura of Al-Fâtihah (the Opening Chapter of the Qur’ân), which we recite in every rak`ah (unit of prayer) of our prayers: 

“Guide us to the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.”                      (Qur’ân: Al-Fâtihah: 6-7)

In his interpretation of the aforesaid verses of the Sura of Al-Fâtihah, Sheikh Muhammad Ibn `Abdul-Wahhâb (may Allah have mercy on him) has stated: 

“The scholars meant in the verse that reads, ‘those who have evoked (Allah’s) anger’ are those who do not act in accordance with their knowledge, and ‘…those who are astray’ are the ones who act without knowledge. The former is the quality of the Jews, while the latter is that of the Christians. Some ignorant people mistakenly believe that those two qualities are restricted to the Jews and the Christians, forgetting that Allah commands them to recite the above-mentioned Qur’anic invocation seeking refuge with Him from being one of the people of these two qualities. Glory be to Allah! How do those ignorant people think that they are safe from these qualities, though they are taught and commanded by Allah to keep on invoking Him (through the aforesaid verses) seeking His refuge against them?! Are they not aware that they thus assume evil about Allah?!”  3

This shows the wisdom behind the obligation of reciting this great Sura (i.e., Al-Fâtihah) in every rak`ah of our prayers (whether obligatory or supererogatory). It is because this sura contains many great secrets, among them is the great Qur’anic invocation that reads, “Guide us to the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Qur’ân: Al-Fâtihah: 6-7) Through this invocation, we ask Allah to guide us to follow the conduct and the way of the people who have useful knowledge and perform righteous deeds, which is the way to salvation in both this world and the Hereafter. We also invoke Him to safeguard us from the pathway of the ones astray, who have neglected either the righteous deeds or the useful knowledge.

Thus, we could argue that useful knowledge is that derived from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition). It is gained by means of deep understanding and comprehension of both, which can be achieved through the help of religious instructors or scholars. This can also be achieved through the books of exegesis of the Qur’ân and those of Hadîth, as well as the books of jurisprudence and those of Arabic grammar – the language in which the Qur’ân has been revealed. Such books are the best means of comprehending the Qur’ân and the Sunnah.

So as to perform the acts of worship so perfectly, you should, dear Muslim brother, learn what leads to the perfection of your performance of these various acts of worship, such as Prayer, Fasting and Hajj (Pilgrimage). You should also be aware of the rulings on Zakâh4 as well as the rulings on the dealings that concern you, so as to make use of what Allah has made lawful for you and avoid what He has made unlawful. You should observe this to ensure that the money you earn and the food you eat are lawfully obtained, in order to be one of those whose supplications are granted by Allah. In fact, you have to know about all these matters, and this could be easily achieved, Allah willing, provided that you have resolute determination and sincere intention. So, be keen on reading useful relevant books, and keep in touch with religious scholars to ask them about whatever ruling you are in doubt about and to be acquainted with the rulings of your religion.

In addition, you should take an interest in attending religious symposiums and lectures delivered at mosques and the like, listening to the broadcast religious programs, and reading religious magazines and publications. If you concern yourself with such good activities, your religious knowledge will increase, and your insight will be enlightened. 

Also, do not forget, dear brother, that knowledge increases and grows when it is practically applied. Thus, if your deeds are according to your knowledge, Allah surely will increase your knowledge. This corresponds with the maxim stating, “He whose deeds are done in accordance with his knowledge, Allah will bestow upon him the knowledge of that which he has no knowledge about.” This is confirmed by the Glorious Qur’anic verse that reads: 

“… And fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.”               (Qur’ân: Al-Baqarah: 282)

In fact, the worthiest thing to spend your time on is seeking knowledge, for which the people of good judgment compete. It is through knowledge that hearts maintain living and deeds are purified.

Allah, Exalted be His Words and Glorified be His Attributes, praises the scholars who act in accordance with their knowledge, and states their elevated degrees, as He mentions in His Glorious Book, the Qur’ân: 

“… Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”

(Qur’ân: Az-Zumar: 9)

 Allah, Exalted be He, also says: 

“… Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”                                (Qur’ân: Al-Mujâdilah: 11)

So, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, shows the merit of those given knowledge along with faith, and tells us that He is Acquainted with and Aware of what we do. Thus, Allah shows us the necessity of combining both knowledge and righteous deeds, and tells us that both have to be out of one’s sincere faith and fear of Him, Glorified be He.

In accordance with the Qur’anic duty of cooperating in righteousness and piety, we will – if Allah wills – provide you, gentle reader, through this book with some information of the juristic inheritance which our scholars extracted and wrote down in their books. We will provide you with what can be easily understood, so that it can benefit you and help you in gaining more useful knowledge.

Finally, we invoke Allah to bestow useful knowledge upon all of us, and to guide us to the righteous deeds. We also invoke Him, Glorified and Exalted be He, to make us see the truth as it really is, and guide us to follow it, and to see falsehood as it really is, and grant us the ability to avoid it, He is Hearing and Responsive.

Endnotes

1 Al-Bukhârî (71), Muslim (2386).

2 See Fathul-Bârî (1/187)

3 See Ibn Ghannâm’s Târîkh Najd.

4 Zakâh is an annual expenditure for the benefit of the Muslim community, primarily to help the poor, required from those Muslims who have excess wealth. Paying Zakâh is one of the five main pillars of Islam (for more elaboration, refer to the chapter on Zakâh).