50


He should raise his hands to his shoulders or earlobes while


doing so. Then he should make rukoo’ (bowing posture)


extending his back, making his head level with it. At this point


he should place his hands with his fingers spread on his knees,


keeping the elbows away from his sides. In the rukoo’, one


should say three times:


“Subhaana Rub-biyal-Adheem.”


Meaning: Far removed is my Lord, the Most Magnificent,


from every imperfection.


6) One should raise his head [and upper body] from the rukoo,


and raise his hands to his shoulders or earlobes, saying:


“Sami‘allahu liman Hamidah.”


Meaning: Allah answers the supplication of those who praise


and extol Him.


One should say this whether he is praying alone or leading


others in Prayer. After fully returning to a standing position,


one should say:


“Rabanaa wa lak-al-Hamd.”


Meaning: Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.


But if one is praying behind an Imam1, he should say while


standing:


“Rabanaa wa lak-al-Hamd.”


Meaning: Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise.


1 Imam: One who leads others in Prayer.


51


It is recommended that one should place his hands on his


chest as he did in the first standing before the rukoo’.


7) Next, one must prostrate (Sujood) and say:


“Allahu Akbar.”


Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.


He should not raise his hands [to his shoulders or ears]. He


should descend, placing his knees on the ground before his


hands -if it is not hard for him- and prostrate on his forehead


and nose, his hands, his knees, and the bottom of the toes. The


fingers and toes should face the Qiblah, and his fingers should


be drawn together (not spread apart). He should keep his elbows


away from his sides and his knees away from his stomach and


his thighs away from his legs. He should lift his elbows and


forearms off the ground and say (three times):


“Subhaana Rub-biyal-A’laa.”


Meaning: Far removed is my Lord, the Most High, from


every imperfection.


One should supplicate as much as possible1 in the sujood, for


the Prophet (r) said:


“As for the rukoo’, aggrandize the Lord (U) and as for


the sujood, make as much supplication as you can, for


[it is the place where] it is most likely to be accepted.”


(Muslim #479)


8) One should raise his head from the sujood and say, “Allahu


Akbar.” One should not raise his hands to his shoulders or


earlobes while saying so. He should lay his left foot flat on the


1 He may supplicate Allah in his own words, or native language.


52


ground [pointing to the right] and sit upon it, and prop his right


foot upright [with the bottom of his toes on the ground facing


the Qiblah]. One should place his hands on his thighs and


knees, and then say thrice:


“Rabbighfir li.”


Meaning: My Lord, forgive me.


In addition to this, he may say:


“Allahumm-aghfir li, warhamni, wahdini, warzuqni, wa


‘aafini, wajburni.”


Meaning: O Allah, forgive me, have mercy upon me, grant me


sustenance, keep me in a state of safety and wellbeing, and


strengthen my weakness.


9) One has to perform a second sujood saying, “Allahu Akbar,”


without raising his hands. He should do as he did in the first


sujood.


10) Then one raises his head [from sujood] saying, “Allahu


Akbar,” without raising his hands [to his shoulders or earlobes]


and stand up and perform the second Rak'ah, supporting himself


with his knees, if possible. If this is difficult, then he may stand


up while supporting himself with his hands.


After standing, he should recite Surah al-Faatihah and


whatever he can recite from the Qur'an, just as he did in the first


rak‘ah.


11) If one is performing a prayer which consists of two Rak'aat,


such as Fajr, Jumu‘ah, or ‘Eid, after the second prostration he


should sit with his right foot propped up, sitting on his left foot


laid flat [pointing to the right]. He should clench his right hand


and place it on the lower part of his right thigh, and he should


53


point with his finger during his supplication and mentioning


Allah (the tashahhud) symbolizing His Tawheed. He should


place his left hand on the bottom part of his left thigh and recite


the tashahhud:


“At-Tahiyyaatu lillaahi, was-Salawaatu, wat-


Tayyibaatu, as-Salaamu ‘alayka ‘ayyuhan-Nabiyyu, wa


rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. As-Salaamu ‘alaynaa


wa ‘alaa ‘ibaad-illaah-is-Saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa


ilaaha ill-Allaah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan


‘abduhu wa rasooluh.”


Meaning: All Words of Praise and glorification are for Allah


alone, and all Prayers and acts of worship, and pure words and


attributes. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of


Allah and His blessings. May Allah send peace and security


upon us, and upon all of Allah’s righteous slaves. I bear


witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah,


and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and


Messenger.


He should then seek refuge from four things:


“Allaahumma innee a‘oodhu bika min ‘adhaabi


jahannam, wa min ‘adhaab-il-qabr, wa min fitnat ilmahyaa


wal-mamaat, wa min fitnat il-maseeh id-


Dajjaal.”


Meaning: O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the


punishment of Hellfire, from the Torment of the Grave, from


the Trials of Living and Dying, and from the Trials of the


Pseudo-Christ (Dajjaal).1


1 The ‘Trials of Living…’ are that which a person encounters in life


with regard to being enticed by the worldly life and the desires to


which it gives rise. The ‘Trials of dying…’ are the trials of the grave,


54


One should ask Allah whatever he wishes,1 and desires from


the good things of this life and next.


12) Lastly, one should make the ‘Tasleem’ to the right, by


turning his head to the right saying:


“As-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullaah.”


Meaning: May the Safety and Mercy of Allah be upon you.


Then he should make tasleem to his left, by turning his head


to the left, saying “As-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullaah.”


13) If one is performing a three rak‘ah Prayer, such as Maghrib,


or a four rak‘ah prayer, such as Dhuhr, ‘Asr or ‘Ishaa, after


saying “Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allah wa ash-hadu anna


Muhammadan ‘Abduhu wa Rasooluhu,” in the Tashahhud


mentioned previously, he should stand up and pray the third


rak‘ah for a three rak'aat Prayer, or the third and fourth rak‘ahs


for a four rak‘aat Prayer. He should stand, while supporting


himself with his knees if he is able, and raise his hands to the


level of his shoulders [or earlobes] saying, “Allahu Akbar.” He


should place his hands on his chest, grasping the right hand


over the left, and recite Surah al-Fatihah. He should do the same


as he did in the previous rak‘aat. He should then sit for the last


Tashahhud, and after its recitation, he should conclude his


Prayer by making the Tasleem.


and the questioning by the two Angels. The ‘Trials of the False


Messiah (Dajjaal)…’ are the supernatural occurrences that will


happen at his hands: things that will lead many people to go astray,


to follow him and accept his claim to divinity.


1 He may supplicate Allah in his own words, or native language.


55


Voluntary Prayers


There are certain prayers known as as-Sunan-ur-Rawaatib1,


by which one would get extra reward and raise his level in


Jannah. Through them, one makes up for any of his faults in the


obligatory prayers, which have been mentioned in the table. The


Witr Prayer is also a Sunnah Prayer, and it consists of at least


one rak‘ah. It should be the last prayer one performs at night.


Forbidden Times of Prayer


Voluntary prayers other than those mentioned may be


performed at any time other than those specifically forbidden by


Allah and His Messenger (r). They are as follows:


1) After the Fajr Prayer until the sun rises a spear’s length.2


2) The time when the sun reaches its zenith until it descends.


3) After the ‘Asr prayer until the sun sets.


1 See chart on p.54.


2 About 15-20 minutes after the sun has risen.


56


Zakaah


Upon becoming Muslim, one must pay Zakaah to those who


deserve it.


Zakaah is a right from the rights of Allah (I) which a Muslim


must pay to his brothers from the poor and those in need to


cover their requirements and save them from the humility of


asking others. Allah (I) says:


(And they were commanded not, but that they should


worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone


(abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and


establish the Salah and give the Zakah: and that is the


upright religion.) (98:5)


There is a great wisdom and many reasons why Zakah has


been prescribed. From them, may be the following:


1) It purifies the souls of rich Muslims and cleanses them from


greed, selfishness, base covetousness, and the love of this


interim world and drowning in its desires.


2) It purifies the soul of the poor from hate and jealousy which


they might feel for the rich. They see them giving from their


wealth, and continuously caring for them, by giving them


money and treating them well.


3) It causes a Muslim to grow fond of good manners, such as


giving charity, and preferring others over himself.


4) It uproots poverty in the Muslim society and alleviates the


dangers which result from it, such as theft, murder, and


transgression against people’s honor.


5) It brings the spirit of mutual dependence and Islamic


brotherhood to life, by fulfilling the needs of Islam and the


Muslims.


57


6) It plays a role in spreading Islam throughout the world.


Through it, non-Muslims are shown the religion of Islam and its


beauty, and it is hoped that they would accept it.


The Conditions of Zakaah


1) Possession of the nisaab, which is the amount of wealth upon


which Islam has legislated Zakaah. This amount is equal to 85


grams of gold.


2) The elapse of one year. If one possesses the nisaab for a


period of a complete year, Zakaah becomes due upon him.


Those Eligible for Zakaah


Allah has specified those who are eligible to receive Zakah.


Allah says:


(As-Sadaqaat (i.e. Zakaat) are only for the Fuqaraa´


and Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to


collect [the funds]; and to attract the hearts of those


who have been inclined [towards Islam]; and to free the


captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause


(i.e. for Mujaahidoon - those fighting in Jihad), and for


the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from


everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-


Knower, All-Wise...) (9:60)


Important Notes


1) There is no Zakah due on those items which one possesses


for personal use, such as houses, furniture, cars, and beasts of


burden (horses, donkeys, etc.).


2) There is no Zakah due on those assets one holds for rental


purposes, like cars, shops, houses. Zakah must be paid on the


rental payment if it is combined with his other wealth, reaches


the nisaab and remains in his possession for a period of one


year.


58


The Fast (Siyaam) of Ramadhan


Upon becoming Muslim, one must fast the month of


Ramadhan, every year. One must abstain from anything that


breaks the fast, such as food, drink, and sexual intercourse, from


Fajr until Maghrib as an act of obedience to Allah. Allah (I)


says:


(O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for


you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you


may become from the pious.) (2:18)


The objective of fasting is not that one merely abstains from


the material and physical things which break one’s fast, but


rather, one must also refrain from those intangible things which


diminish [the reward] of one’s fast, such as lying, backbiting,


tale-bearing, cheating, deception, false talk, and other offensive


behavior. He should keep in mind that it is obligatory upon him


to abstain from these offensive things outside of Ramadhan, but


more so in this month, due to the saying of the Prophet (r):


“Whoever does not refrain from false speech and


deeds, Allah has no need for him to leave his food and


drink.”


(Bukhari #1804)


There are many reasons and great wisdoms why Siyaam has


been prescribed. From them are the following:


1) It is spiritual exercise for the believer, for his soul is making


Jihad1 against his wants and desires.


1 Jihad: Here the word is used in its literal sense, which means ‘to


strive against’.


59


2) Keeping the Muslim’s soul above all offensive speech and


deeds. The Prophet (r) said:


“When one of you is fasting, he should not speak evil,


nor should he yell or shout, and if someone were to


curse or fight him, let him say, ‘Indeed I am a fasting


person.” (Bukhari #1805 & Muslim #1151)


3) Through fasting, one realizes how his needy brothers feel,


and this encourages him to fulfill their rights, ask about their


welfare, and look into their needs.


Note:


It is not allowed for a woman in her menstrual period or


postpartum bleeding to fast until her bleeding stops. Once it


does, she must have a complete bath (ghusl) and make up the


fasts she missed. If one is ill or traveling, it is permissible for


him not to fast, but he must make up those days at a later time.1


1 One must make up the fasts before the arrival of the following


Ramadhan.


60


Hajj


Upon becoming Muslim, one must perform Hajj once in his


lifetime. Hajj is the pilgrimage one makes to the Sacred House


of Allah (the Ka’bah) in order to perform certain rites at


specific places at specific times. This pillar of Islam is


obligatory upon every Muslim, male or female, who is sane and


has reached the age of puberty, once in a lifetime if they have


the physical and financial ability. If a person has an incurable


disease which prevents him from performing Hajj, but has


enough money, he must assign someone to perform Hajj for


him. But if a person does not have enough money to fulfill his


daily requirements or to support those whom he supports, Hajj


is not an obligation upon him. Allah says:


(And Hajj to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that


mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the


expenses; and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands


not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (Mankind and


Jinns).) (3:97)


There are many reasons and great wisdoms why Hajj has been


prescribed. From them are the following:


1) To increase one’s good deeds due to his act of obedience, for


the reward of Hajj which has been accepted by Allah is nothing


but Jannah. The Messenger of Allah (r) said:


“An ‘Umrah1 followed by another is an expiation for


the lesser sins one performed between them, and there


is no reward for a Hajj which has been accepted by


1 ‘Umrah: Lesser pilgrimage. It consists of Tawaaf and Sa‘i whilst in


the state of Ihraam. These terms will be explained later.


61


Allah except Jannah.” (Bukhari #1683 and Muslim


#1349)


2) To realize the unity of the Muslims, for Hajj is the largest


Islamic gathering. Muslims from all over come together at one


place, at one time, calling the same Lord, wearing the same


clothes, performing the same rituals. There is no difference


between the rich and poor, the noble and ignoble, the white and


black, Arab and non-Arab. They are all equal; there is no


difference between them except in piety (taqwaa). This is


nothing but an emphasis of the brotherhood of all Muslims and


the unity of their hopes and feelings.


3) It is a spiritual exercise which trains one to exert his efforts,


physically and financially, in the way of Allah and seeking His


Pleasure.


4) It is a purification of one’s sins and wrongdoings. The


Prophet (r) said:


“Whoever performs Hajj to this House (the Ka’bah)


and does not and does not have sexual relations, he will


return [sin-free] like the day he was born.”


(Bukhari #1723 & Muslim #1350 )


How to Perform Hajj


There are three types of Hajj; each one has its specific rites.


The best type is Tamattu’, wherein one performs Hajj and


‘Umrah separately, in the Sacred Months of Hajj. It is done as


follows:


62


1) One should enter the state of Ihraam1 from the Miqat2 before


the 8th of Dhu’l-Hijjah. He should enter state of Ihram, saying:


“Labbayk-Allahumma ‘Umratan mutamitti’an bihaa


ilal-Hajj.”


Meaning: Here I am at your service, O Allah, performing


‘Umrah and then a Hajj [separately].


2) After entering Makkah, he should perform Tawaaf3 around


the Ka’bah4 and perform the Sa‘i for ‘Umrah, and then shave or


shorten the hair. Women should clip her hair equal to a third of


a finger’s length.


3) On the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah, which is called the day of


Tarwiyah, one should enter the state of Ihraam at the time of


Duhaa´5, from the place he is in. He should then go to Minaa´,


and there he should perform Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and ‘Ishaa´


1 Ihraam: A state in which certain things become forbidden for a


pilgrim.


2 Meeqaat: Particular places which one cannot cross without entering


a state of Ihraam if he wishes to perform ‘Umrah or Hajj.


3 Tawaaf: Circumambulating the Ka’bah counter clockwise.


4 The Ka’bah is the first place which was made for the worship of


Allah on the face of the earth. It was built by Ibraheem and Ismaa’eel,


may the Safety and Mercy of Allah be upon them both, upon the


command of Allah (I). Allah said:


“And Hajj to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to


Allah, those who can afford the expenses; and whoever disbelieves,


then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind and


jinns).” (3:97)


5 Duhaa: Forenoon. The time after the sun has risen a spear’s length


until before it reaches its zenith.


63


prayers. He should shorten Dhuhr, ‘Asr and ‘Ishaa´ prayers [as


a traveler does] but he should not combine them.1


4) After the sun has risen on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah,


which is the Day of ‘Arafah, one should leave Minaa´ and head


towards ‘Arafah. He should pray Dhuhr and ‘Asr at the time of


Dhuhr, both two rak‘ahs. After completing them, he should


spend his time remembering Allah and supplicating him with


sincere humility. One should ask Allah whatever he wishes


raising his hands while facing the Qiblah.


5) When the sun sets on the Day of ‘Arafah, one should set out


for Muzdalifah. Once he has reached, he should pray the


Maghrib and ‘Ishaa´ prayers, combining both prayers together,


making the ‘Ishaa´ prayer two rak’aat only. He should spend the


night in Muzdalifah. He should pray Fajr prayer in its earliest


acceptable time, and then he should spend his time supplicating


until the sky appears bright.


6) But before the sun has risen, he should leave for Minaa´.


Once he arrives, he should throw seven pebbles at Jamrat-ul-


’Aqabah2, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw. The pebbles


should be the size of a chickpea.


7) After this, he should slaughter his sacrificial animal, and then


shave or shorten the hair. Shaving is better for men, but as for


women, she should clip her hair about a third of a finger’s


length. (She should not shave her head).


1 Allah has legislated that the traveler shortens the Dhuhr, ‘Asr and


‘Ishaa´ prayers from four rak‘ahs to two rak‘ahs. A traveler may also


combine the Dhuhr with the ‘Asr prayer, by praying them together,


one after the other, and the Maghrib with the ‘Ishaa´ prayer.


2 These are three pillars in Minaa, the small, middle and large. The


largest is the Jamrat-ul-‘Aqabah.


64


8) With this one would partially terminate the Ihraam, and


remain in a state of lesser Ihraam. He may wear normal clothes


and do everything which is allowed for a normal person except


for having marital relations with his wife.


9) One should then proceed to Makkah and perform the Tawaaf


and Sa‘i, both for Hajj. Upon completion, he should return to


Minaa´ and spend the nights of the eleventh and twelfth of


Dhul-Hijjah there. During the days, he should throw seven


pebbles at all three Jamaraat, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each


pebble. He should do so after the sun starts to decline from its


zenith. He should begin with the smallest Jamrah, and then


proceed to the middle and then the largest.


10) Once a person has thrown pebbles at the Jamaraat on the


twelfth day, he may leave Minaa´ or he may spend another


night in Minaa´, throwing pebbles at the three Jamaraat on the


thirteenth day after the sun starts to decline from its zenith as


explained earlier, this is more praiseworthy.


11) Once one intends to return home, he should proceed to


Makkah and perform Tawaaf al-Wadaa’ (farewell Tawaf). This


Tawaaf is not an obligation for a woman experiencing menses


or postpartum bleeding. Once a person has done this, his Hajj is


complete.


65


The Worship of Allah


Know my brother that worship is obligatory upon every


Muslim who is mentally sane and has reached the age of


puberty. Performing these pillars of Islam is a means to enter


Jannah, after the Mercy of Allah (I). The Prophet (r) once said


to a Bedouin who came and asked:


‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me what Allah has


obligated upon me in terms of the prayer.’ He replied,


‘The five [daily] prayers, except if you wish to perform


some voluntary ones.’ He asked, ‘Tell me what Allah


has obligated upon me in terms of the fasting.’ He


replied, ‘The month of Ramadaan, except if you wish


to perform some voluntary ones.’ He said, ‘Tell me


what Allah has obligated upon me in terms of Zakaah.’


[The narrator] said ‘So the Messenger of Allah (r)


informed him of the legislations of Islam.’ The Bedouin


said, ‘By Him Who has honored you, I will not do any


voluntary acts, and I will not leave anything of what


Allah has ordered me.’ The Messenger of Allah (r),


said: ‘He has succeeded (or, ‘He will enter Jannah’) if


he is saying the truth.’ ” (Bukhari #46 & Muslim#11)


The Individual and Social Effects of the Worship of Allah


1) The believers will achieve happiness and success in the life


of this world as well as the Hereafter. Allah (I) says:


(Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve


success, [as well as he who] remembers (glorifies) the


Name of his Lord, and prays.) (87:14-15)


66


2) Physical and spiritual strength which results from one’s


private conversation with Allah. Allah (I) says:


(Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their


duty unto Him), and those who are muhsinoon (gooddoers).


) (16:128)


3) The Help of Allah and establishing His believing slaves’


authority on the earth. Allah (I) says:


(Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause).


Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim


rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they)


order the establishment of the Salaah, to pay the


Zakaah, and they enjoin all good, and forbid all evil


[i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in


all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of


(all) matters (of creatures).) (22:40-41)


4) Building ties of brotherhood, cooperation, bonding, and


security between the individuals in an Islamic society. Allah (I)


says:


(The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa´ (helpers,


supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they


enjoin all good, and forbid from all evil; they establish


the Salaah and give the Zakaah, and obey Allah and His


Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely


Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.) (9:71)


5) The guidance of Allah and the success which is only granted


by Him. Allah (I) says:


(O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will


grant you Furqaan (a criterion to judge between right


and wrong), and will expiate for you your sins, and


forgive you.) (8:29)


67


6) An abundance of provision from Allah and ease in times of


hardships. Allah says:


(And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him,


He will make a way for him to get out (from every


difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he


never could imagine.) (65:2-3)


7) A multiplication of reward and expiation of sins. Allah says:


(And whosoever believes in Allah and performs


righteous good deeds, He will remit from him his sins,


and will admit him to Gardens under which rivers flow


(Jannah) to dwell therein forever, that will be the great


success.) (64:9)


68


The Commandments of Islam


Dear Brother, seek a path in your relationship with society


and others that is guided by the sayings of the Prophet (r):


“Avoid the prohibited and you will be the best


worshipper, be pleased with the sustenance Allah has


provided for you and you will be the richest of people,


be good to your neighbor and you will be a true


believer, desire for others what you desire for yourself


and you will be a true Muslim, and do not laugh much,


for indeed laughing much causes the heart to die.”


(Tirmidhi #2305 & ibn Maajah #8081)


And he (r) said:


“A true Muslim is he from whom Muslims are safe


from his tongue and his hand, and a true muhaajir1 is


one who abandons what Allah has forbidden.”


(Bukhari #10)


Islam aims to form a well knit society, in which individuals


show mutual mercy and love and exemplify the Sunnah of the


Messenger of Allah r by ordering them to do certain things and


to abstain from other things.


“The Believers in their love, mercy and feelings for each


other are like one body: if one part feels pain, all the other


parts feel pain by fever and sleeplessness.”


(Bukhari #5665 & Muslim #2586)


Islam has guided man to every good and warned them of


every evil. Islam commands the following things:


1 The other type of hijra or migration: is to migrate from the land of


disbelief for the sake of Allah.


69


1) It commands one to believe in the Tawheed of Allah (i.e.


oneness of Allah) and forbids associating partners with Him


(i.e. Shirk). Allah (r) says:


(Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be


associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides


this to whom He pleases; and whoever associates


anything with Allah, he indeed strays off into a remote


error.) (4:116)


The Prophet (r) said:


“Avoid the seven destructive sins.” They asked, “O


Messenger of Allah, what are they?’ He replied,


“Associating partners (shirk) with Allah, sorcery,


killing someone who Allah has forbidden without right,


taking interest, consuming the wealth of orphans,


fleeing upon confronting the enemy in battle, and


accusing chaste believing women who are far removed


from committing any licentious acts.”


(Bukhari #2615 & Muslim #89)


2) It commands treating others well and forbids false


consumption of wealth, such as interest, theft, deception,


usurpation of property, and the like. Allah (r) says:


(O you who believe! Do not devour your property


among yourselves falsely, except that it be trading by


your mutual consent; and do not kill your people;


surely Allah is Merciful to you.) (4:29)


3) It commands justice and equity and forbids all types of


oppression and transgression against others. Allah (r) says:


(Verily, Allah enjoins justice and al-Ihsaan [i.e. to be


patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for


Allah's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal


70


ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving


(help) to kith and kin; and forbids all licentious acts,


evil, and oppression, He admonishes you, that you may


take heed.) (16:90)


4) It commands that people cooperate in righteousness, and it


forbids that they cooperate in evil. Allah (r) says:


(Help you one another in righteousness and piety; and


do not help one another in sin and transgression. And


fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.)


(5:2)


5) It commands with the preservation of souls, and forbids


killing and participating in it, except with due right. Allah (r)


says:


(Because of that We ordained for the Children of


Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of


murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it


would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone


saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all


mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our


Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs,


even then after that many of them continued to exceed


the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and


exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing


the major sins) in the land!) (5:32)


Allah (r) also says:


(And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his


recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and


the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great


punishment is prepared for him.) (4:93)


6) It commands well-treatment of one’s parents and forbids


their disobedience. Allah (r) says:


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(And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but


Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of


them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not


to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but


address them in terms of honor. * And lower unto them


the wing of submission and humility through mercy,


and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as


they did bring me up when I was small.) (17:23-24)


7) It commands joining ties of relation and forbids severing


them. Allah (r) says:


(Would you then, if you were given the authority, do


mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship?


Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has


made them deaf and blinded their sight.) (47:22-23)


The Prophet (r) said:


“One who severs ties of relations will not enter


Jannah.” (Bukhari #5638 & Muslim #2556)


8) It commands and encourages marriage. The Prophet (r) said:


“O youth! Whoever of you is able to get married let


him do so, for it lowers one’s gaze and keeps one


chaste. Whoever is not able then let him fast, for indeed


it acts like a shield for him.” (Bukhari #1806 & Muslim


#1400)


It forbids fornication and homosexuality and all things which


lead to it. Allah (r) says:


(Say (O Muhammad): ‘(But) the things that my Lord


has indeed forbidden are al-fawaahish (great evil sins,


every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether


committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds)


unrighteous oppression, joining partners in worship


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with Allah for which He has given no authority, and


saying things about Allah of which you have no


knowledge.) (7:33)


9) It orders the protection of the wealth of orphans and their


well-treatment, and it forbids consuming their wealth without


right. Allah (r) says:


(Verily, those who unjustly devour the property of


orphans, they devour only a fire into their bellies, and


they will be burnt in the blazing Fire.) (4:10)


It forbids grieving and ill-treating them. Allah (r) says:


(Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.)


(93:9)


10) It orders that one be truthful in his testimony and forbids


that one lie in them (shahaadat-uz-zoor). The Prophet (r) said:


“Shall I not tell you the three greatest sins?” They said.


“Indeed O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating


partners with Allah (shirk) and ill-treatment of


parents.” He was leaning [when he mentioned that],


and then sat up straight (as if he was alarmed) and


said, “And bearing false witness.” [The narrator] said,


“He continued to repeat this until we said [to


ourselves], “If only he would stop.” (Bukhari #2511 &


Muslim #87)


11) It commands that one fulfill his oaths and forbids that one


lie in it: (al-yameen al ghamoos), which means that one


intentionally lies in his oath in order to deprive another his


right. Allah (r) says:


(Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of


Allah’s Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no