بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
41. To fast: this includes both fasting in Ramadan and optional fasts throughout the year just as the prophet (ﷺ) used to practice. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [2:183]
42. To perform the Hajj: it is compulsory upon those who are financially and physically capable of performing the pilgrimage to go for Hajj at least once in our lives. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Bukhari]
43. To make i’tikaf: this the act in which a believer secludes oneself in a masjid, away from worldly matters for a period of time, usually for days. The most common time for this was the last 10 nights of Ramadan. It was narrated by Aisha: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.” [Bukhari]
44. Emigrating from that place which is harmful for one’s deen: moving away from a country or city in which there is excess fitna is also a branch in our deen. This especially applies in our time, when fitna is widespread and has consumed many places around the world – but of course it is for those who are capable of the move. It is mustahab (preferred) for those who are living in non-Muslims countries to move away, and is deemed compulsory on those who are unable to openly practice their religion in the place of fitna.
A man asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which emigration is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “To emigrate from that which Allah disapproves. Emigration is of two kinds: the emigration of the resident and the bedouin. As for the emigration of the bedouin, he responds when he is called and he obeys when he is commanded. As for the emigration of the resident, its trial is more severe and its reward is greater.” [Ahmad]
45. To fulfil the vows that have been made to Allah: vows in general are a serious matter, and are of even more significance when it comes to making a vow with Allah. He says in the Qur’an:
“And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfil [every] covenant. Indeed, the covenant is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.” [17:34]
Allah paired the fulfilment of one’s covenants/vows with the avoidance of an orphan’s wealth to show us the severity of the action.
46. To fulfil the oaths that are not sinful: some oaths are deemed sinful and should not be carried out, but at the same time they should not be completely avoided, but replaced with something better. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever swears an oath then sees that something else is better than it, let him do that and offer expiation for his oath.” [Muslim]
Allah knows best.