Category: Branches of Islam

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

57. To raise children in the proper manner: the method of raising children should be based on one’s own wills and culture, but instead should be in relation to the deen and how Islam teaches us the raising of children. There are many guidelines in the Sunnah of our prophet in how to correctly bring up the offspring.

58. Not to sever relations with one’s companions and relatives: Allah says in the Qur’an:

“But those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined [primarily bonds of kinship] and spread corruption on earth – for them is the curse, and they will have the worst home.” [13:25]

59. To obey one’s master: this is in relation to the people who were in custody in people’s homes in ancient Arabia as they did not have prisons back then. They were obliged to follow the owner of the homes as long as the orders did not go against Allah’s teachings.

60. To be just: whether one is the ruler of a land, a judge or any position of authority one must be just and fair in their actions with the people. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” [4:135]

61. Not to initiate any way that is contrary to that of the generality of the Muslims: if almost all the Muslims agree to some idea, generally a plan of motion or movement, one cannot simply go against or deviate from it unless of course it goes against the teachings of Allah.

Allah knows best.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

52. To abstain from prohibited things when undertaking monetary transactions: this includes a wide range of possible prohibited purchases that can be made such as unlawful trading, buying/selling prohibited items such as alcohol, staying away from gambling, interest, bribery etc. Our money is the wealth of Allah, and it is only be to spent on good. Allah says:

“…then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you…” [24:33]

53. Not to conceal something true which you may have witnessed: this could be related to crime or other means. An example was narrated by Iyad ibn Himar, where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “He who finds something should call one or two trusty persons as witnesses and not conceal it or cover it up; then if he finds its owner he should return it to him, otherwise it is Allah’s property which He gives to whom He will.” [Abu Dawud authenticated by al Albani]

54. To get married: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Marriage is part of my sunnah, and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me. Get married, for I will boast of your great numbers before the nations. Whoever has the means, let him get married, and whoever does not, then he should fast for it will diminish his desire.” [Ibn Majah authenticated by Darrusalam]

55. To fulfil the rights of those who are under you: this is not only related to leaders of people but also managers at a workplace, mothers and fathers, anyone who has any kind of authority over someone else will have to fulfil their rights. We learn this from Abu Bakr A-Siddiq after the passing of the prophet (ﷺ), he said: “O people! I have been put in authority over you though I am not the best of you. So help me if I do right and correct me if I do wrong. Obey me as long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I do not obey God and His Messenger, I have no right to your obedience.”

56. To provide comfort to one’s parents: the relationship we have with our parents is not taken lightly by Allah (detailed post here). Abu Umamah narrated: A man said, “Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) what rights can parents demand from their children?” He replied, “They are your Paradise and your Hell.” [Tirmidhi]

Allah knows best.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

47. To pay the kaffarah for unfulfilled oaths: breaking oaths in our deen is a serious issue that has to be paid for if not fulfilled. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] – then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. And guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.” [5:89]

48. To cover the parts of the body which are compulsory: Allah has set certain rules on what we are to cover in front of others. This applies differently for men and women as discussed in a previous post (find it here) – but both are equally as important in front of Allah.

49. To make Qurbani: this is following the Sunnah of our prophet Ibrahim when he slaughtered a ram after being ordered to slaughter his own son – Allah lifted that burden from him. Since then every year in the month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world would perform Qurbani.

50. To enshroud and bury the deceased: Islam teaches us the respect and dignity that a dead person deserves. There are many hadith related to how one is go about dealing with someone who has passed away. Covering the deceased one in a white shroud is one of the Sunnahs; the prophet (ﷺ) said: “Wear white clothes, for these are your best clothes, and enshroud your dead in them.” [Tirmidhi]

51. To fulfil your debts: the issue of debts in Islam is one of great importance – it will be discussed in a future post if Allah wills. An example of how important it is: narrated by Abu Huraira: A man demanded his debts from Allah’s Apostle in such a rude manner that the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to harm him, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Leave him, no doubt, for he (the creditor) has the right to demand it. Buy a camel and give it to him.” They said, “The camel that is available is older than the camel he demands. “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Buy it and give it to him, for the best among you are those who repay their debts handsomely. ” [Bukhari]

Allah knows best.

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.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

35. To make dua: asking Allah for guidance and help in our lives is part of the deen. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Dua is worship” [Tirmidhi]

36. Making dhikr of Allah: the prophet (ﷺ) has taught us that there are multiple dhikr we can do throughout the day; morning, evening, night, before and after prayer, when sleeping, when waking up etc. These are all forms of feeding the soul, just as we feed our stomachs. Dhikr will also bring about Allah’s protection. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance” [33:41]

37. To abstain from the sins of the tongue: these include – but not limited to – lies, backbiting, swearing, vulgar words etc. The tongue is one of the major reasons for many people’s torment in the hereafter; we sadly witness many Muslims that fall into these sins. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Bukhari]

38. To make wudhu, ghusl and keep oneself hygienic: wudhu and ghusl are a form of purification, not just for the areas that are touched with water but also for the soul – staying clean is part of Islam. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Purity is half of Imane (faith).” [Muslim]

39. To be steadfast in offering Salah: this does not just mean that we must pray our 5 daily prayers, this is also highlighting the importance of guarding the prayers. Performing the correct wudu, concentrating in our prayers, praying on time etc. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” [2:238]

40. To pay zakat: this is one of the core pillars of Islam as many of us already know, it is the compulsory charity to be given to those in need from people who are capable (meet the nisab). If all capable people of the world were to pay their zakat as Allah has taught us, there will be no famine. Of course, some will be blessed with more than others in terms of wealth, but the suffering we see around the world today, where some people cannot even find bread to eat, will not exist. Allah says:

“And decree for us in this world [that which is] good and [also] in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You.” [ Allah ] said, “My punishment – I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things.” So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakah and those who believe in Our verses” [7:156]

Allah knows best.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

29. Not to wish harm for anyone: This is a common thing among many of us, that when we are angry we wish harm on others. The virtues of strong imane is to forgive.

“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah . Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” [42:40]

30. Not to have love for the world: This does not mean that we should hate being in the dunya. Rather this means we are not to let love for the dunya overwhelm us and push us away from fulfilling our duties to Allah.

“O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.” [35:5]

31. To recite the Kalimah with the tongue: To declare that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah and that the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is His final messenger.

The prophet (ﷺ) said: “If anybody comes on the Day of Resurrection who has said: La ilaha illal-lah, sincerely, with the intention to win Allah’s Pleasure, Allah will make the hell-Fire forbidden for him.” [Bukhari]

32. To recite the Quran: Learning how to recite the Qur’an with correct pronunciation is an important aspect of the deen. We must take some time to study the basics of tajweed as to not make mistakes in our recitation.

“Or add to it, and recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.” [73:4]

33. To acquire knowledge: Seeking knowledge is a trait that many of us push to the side for worldly gain. To acquire knowledge is to find the truth about Allah and Islam, and the infinite wisdom found in the Qur’an. We as human beings can never say we have learned enough; there will always be more knowledge to obtain – one of the miracles of the Qur’an is that its knowledge is endless – it is our duty to study it.

The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise.” [Muslim]

34. To pass on Knowledge: The second part of seeking knowledge is to teach others. We as Muslims are one ummah – we enjoin in good and forbid evil.

The prophet (ﷺ) said: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” [Bukhari]

Allah knows best.