Everything about what is Permissible and What is Prohibited in Islaam

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

The Principle of Permissibility

Al-Istiqaamah Issue No.5 - Ramadân 1417H / January 1997

"The principle regarding acts of worship is one of prohibition, except if the Sharee'ah (Divinely Prescribed Law) relates a prescription for it. And the principle regarding customary behaviour is permissibility, except when the Sharee'ah relates a prohibition for it." (Al-aslu fil-'ibaadat al-hadhru illaa ma waradah 'anish-shar'ee tashree'ahu. Wal-aslu fil-'aadaat al-ibaahah illaa ma waradah 'anish-shar'ee tahreemahu).1

The above principle is an important principle that Islaam teaches. Thus, with regards to matters of 'aadaat (day-to-day actions), such as eating, drinking and wearing clothes, then everything is allowed in this regard, except if there is a clear and authentic evidence restricting or prohibiting its allowance. However, when it comes to 'ibaadaat (acts of worship), then the opposite is the true. Here, nothing can be established as an act of worship, except if there is a clear and authentic text to allow it. So the basic principle for 'aadaat is ibaahah (permissibility), whereas the basic principle for 'ibaadaat is tahreem (prohibition).

Shaykhul-lslaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H)- rahimahullaah - said:
"Peoples' sayings and actions are of two kinds: 'ibaadaat (acts of worship) by which their Religion is established, and 'aadaat (customary practices) which are required for day-to-day living. From the principles of the Sharee'ah (Divinely Prescribed Islaamic Law) we know that acts of worship are those acts which have been prescribed by Allaah or approved by Him; nothing is to be affirmed here, except through the Sharee'ah. However, as far as worldly activities of people are concerned, they are necessary for everyday life. Here the principle is freedom of action; nothing may be restricted in this regard except what Allaah - the Mort Perfect - has restricted. This is the case because commanding and prohibiting are both in Allaah's Hands. As far as worship is concerned, there has to be a command from Him concerning it. Thus, when it requires a command from Allaah to establish something, how can we say that something is restricted without His command? This is why Ahmad bin Hanbal (d.241H) and other jurists who base their judgements upon ahaadeeth (Prophetic narrations) say: In relation to acts of worship, then the principle is tawqeef (limitation); that is to lay, nothing can be legislated in this regard except what Allaah legislates. To do otherwise is to incur the risk of being included in the meaning of the Aayah (verse):

"Do they have partners with Allaah who prescribe for them in the Religion that for which Allaah has not given any permission." [Soorah ash-Shooraa 42:21].

However, as far as living habits are concerned, the principle here is freedom, because nothing can be restricted in this regard except what Allaah has prohibited. To do otherwise is to be included in the meaning of His saying:

"Say: Do you see what Allaah has sent down to you for sustenance? Yet you have made some part of it halaal (lawful) and some part haraam (prohibited)." [Soorah Yoonus 10:59].

This is a great and beneficial principle, on the basis of which we can say that buying, selling, leasing, giving gifts, and other such matters are necessary activities for people, as are eating, drinking and the wearing of clothes. Thus, if the Sharee'ah (Divinely Prescribed Islaamic Law) says something about these day-to-day matters, it is in order to teach good behaviour. Accordingly, it has prohibited whatever leads to corruption, has made obligatory that which is essential, has disapproved of that which is superfluous, and has approved of that which is beneficial. All this has been done with due consideration of the magnitude and properties of the various types of activities involved. Since this is the position of the Sharee'ah, people are free to buy, sell and to lease just as they wish, just as they are free to eat and drink what they like - as long as it is not haraam (unlawful). Even though some of these things may be disapproved, they are still free in this regard, since the Sharee'ah does not go to the extent of prohibiting them - and thus the original principle (of permissibility) remains."2

1. Minhaajul-Qaasideen Mukhtasar fee Usoolil-Fiqh (p.27) of Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa'dee.
2. Al-Qawaa'idun-Nooraaniyyah al-Fiqhiyyah (p.112-113)

http://abdurrahman.org/misc/principle-of-permissibility.html

[Badlun]

@Shamlawar

It seems that we both are poles apart but after reading your post the other day on the definition of Sunna and today this post , it seems we both are talking the same thing but in different words. We are two faces of the same coin.

These wording for me is exactly what secularism is. Separation of worship (ibadaat)from other acts(adaat). We may differ in details but principally I agree with your this definition.

The above principle is an important principle that Islaam teaches. Thus, with regards to matters of 'aadaat (day-to-day actions), such as eating, drinking and wearing clothes, then everything is allowed in this regard, except if there is a clear and authentic evidence restricting or prohibiting its allowance. However, when it comes to 'ibaadaat (acts of worship), then the opposite is the true. Here, nothing can be established as an act of worship, except if there is a clear and authentic text to allow it. So the basic principle for 'aadaat is ibaahah (permissibility), whereas the basic principle for 'ibaadaat is tahreem (prohibition).

I will never say that prayers should be stopped but will recommend democracy for settling worldly matters not Taliban style government.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

You are wrong. You are a kaafir and I am a Muslim. Huge difference.

[Badlun]

You are wrong. You are a kaafir and I am a Muslim. Huge difference.

How I am Kaffir if I agree with your above post.

How I am Kaffir if I believe in 5 pillars of Islam. I say Kalma shahadat, I do offer prayers, I observe fast, I pay zakat, this or next year I will go for Hajj. Still you declare me Kaffir?

You declare me kaffir because I oppose taliban and Alqaida? Then Karzai and all members of Afghan parliament. ANA, Afghan government officials, the non Pashtun Afghans are all kaffir?

Do you think all the secular Muslims like the ones in Turkey, Egypt, Central Asia, Far East, Africa all are Kaffir?

Only Taliban and pro Taliban, Salafis, wahabis and Deobandis are Muslims?

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

How I am Kaffir if I agree with your above post.

How I am Kaffir if I believe in 5 pillars of Islam. I say Kalma shahadat, I do offer prayers, I observe fast, I pay zakat, this or next year I will go for Hajj. Still you declare me Kaffir?

You declare me kaffir because I oppose taliban and Alqaida? Then Karzai and all members of Afghan parliament. ANA, Afghan government officials, the non Pashtun Afghans are all kaffir?

Do you think all the secular Muslims like the ones in Turkey, Egypt, Central Asia, Far East, Africa all are Kaffir?

Only Taliban and pro Taliban, Salafis, wahabis and Deobandis are Muslims?

You are a kaafir because you are a secularist zindeeq who ridicules sharia.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

[کیش]

I didn't know God gave humans the right to judge others. That is his job, anybody who commits this action, has no basis to his bad assessment.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

I didn't know God gave humans the right to judge others. That is his job, anybody who commits this action, has no basis to his bad assessment.

You may think so because you are ignorant of what Islam is. Allah commands the believers to judge where it is required.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِتَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَٮٰكَ ٱللَّهُ*ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلۡخَآٮِٕنِينَ خَصِيمً۬ا

Surah An-Nisa
We have sent down to thee the Book in truth, that thou mightest judge between men, as guided by Allah: so be not (used) as an advocate by those who betray their trust. (105)


سَمَّـٰعُونَ لِلۡكَذِبِ أَڪَّـٰلُونَ لِلسُّحۡتِ*ۚ فَإِن جَآءُوكَ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَہُمۡ أَوۡ أَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡہُمۡ*ۖ وَإِن تُعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ فَلَن يَضُرُّوكَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا*ۖ وَإِنۡ حَكَمۡتَ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَہُم بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ*ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ


Surah Al-Maeda
(They are fond of) listening to falsehood, of devouring anything forbidden. If they do come to thee, either judge between them, or decline to interfere. If thou decline, they cannot hurt thee in the least. If thou judge, judge, in equity between them; for Allah loveth those who judge in equity. (42)


وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَمُهَيۡمِنًا عَلَيۡهِ*ۖ فَٱحۡڪُم بَيۡنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ*ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ*ۚ لِكُلٍّ۬ جَعَلۡنَا مِنكُمۡ شِرۡعَةً۬ وَمِنۡهَاجً۬ا*ۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَڪُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ وَلَـٰكِن لِّيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ فِى مَآ ءَاتَٮٰكُمۡ*ۖ فَٱسۡتَبِقُواْ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ*ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرۡجِعُڪُمۡ جَمِيعً۬ا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ

Surah Al-Maeda
To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety; so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an Open Way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute. (48)


وَأَنِ ٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَہُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ وَٱحۡذَرۡهُمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعۡضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡكَ*ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَہُم بِبَعۡضِ ذُنُوبِہِمۡ*ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَـٰسِقُونَ

Surah Al-Maeda
And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what Allah hath revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which Allah hath sent down to thee. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crimes it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious. (49)


فَلِذَٲلِكَ فَٱدۡعُ*ۖ وَٱسۡتَقِمۡ ڪَمَآ أُمِرۡتَ*ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ*ۖ وَقُلۡ ءَامَنتُ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن ڪِتَـٰبٍ۬*ۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ لِأَعۡدِلَ بَيۡنَكُمُ*ۖ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمۡ*ۖ لَنَآ أَعۡمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلُڪُمۡ*ۖ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمُ*ۖ ٱللَّهُ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَنَا*ۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

Surah Ash-Shura
Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is Our Lord and your Lord. For us (is the responsibility for) Our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (Our) final goal. (15)

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا جَآءَڪُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتُ مُهَـٰجِرَٲتٍ۬ فَٱمۡتَحِنُوهُنَّ*ۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِإِيمَـٰنِہِنَّ*ۖ فَإِنۡ عَلِمۡتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤۡمِنَـٰتٍ۬ فَلَا تَرۡجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى ٱلۡكُفَّارِ*ۖ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ۬ لَّهُمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ*ۖ وَءَاتُوهُم مَّآ أَنفَقُواْ*ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ*ۚ وَلَا تُمۡسِكُواْ بِعِصَمِ ٱلۡكَوَافِرِ وَسۡـَٔلُواْ مَآ أَنفَقۡتُمۡ وَلۡيَسۡـَٔلُواْ مَآ أَنفَقُواْ*ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ حُكۡمُ ٱللَّهِ*ۖ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ*ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ۬

Surah Al-Mumtahina
O ye who believe! when there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower). And there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the guardianship of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers and let the (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah: He judges (with justice) between you: and Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom. (10)

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

For [MENTION=1034]Badlun[/MENTION]:

Actions Which Expel The Doer From The Religion

[کیش]

You don't have the right to those verses. As your judgement is lackadaisical based on a narrow chauvinistic understanding of religion.

You're a Kaffir as you are against the Muslim ummah. You never done anything for the movement, but have an unwanted opinion on critical issues that we face. All you support is separation, and in-fighting, which is coming from the devil.

Keep your judgement to yourself.

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

You don't have the right to those verses. As your judgement is lackadaisical based on a narrow chauvinistic understanding of religion.

You're a Kaffir as you are against the Muslim ummah. You never done anything for the movement, but have an unwanted opinion on critical issues that we face. All you support is separation, and in-fighting, which is coming from the devil.

Keep your judgement to yourself.

Haha you claimed people are not allowed to judge. When you're refuted fair and square you resort to judging and takfeer. Comedian!

[کیش]

The difference is yours is based on bad judgement. Mines has valid points to place you into that category.

[Badlun]

For @Badlun:

Actions Which Expel The Doer From The Religion

أعمالتخرج صاحبهامنالملة

939
ItisalsoreportedinBukharīthattheMessenger (
saw)said:
The one who says the Shahādah
truthfully in his heart, Allah has forbidden hell fire for him


Do you think millah is the same as Islam
And in your own this book definition of IMuslim is one who says shahadah and I say shahadah how can you call me kaafi?

[Shamlawar Khurasani]

أعمالتخرج صاحبهامنالملة

939
ItisalsoreportedinBukharīthattheMessenger (
saw)said:
The one who says the Shahādah
truthfully in his heart, Allah has forbidden hell fire for him


Do you think millah is the same as Islam
And in your own this book definition of IMuslim is one who says shahadah and I say shahadah how can you call me kaafi?

Because your Islam is nullified through your action, deeds and beliefs.

The shahadah has its conditions. You violate the conditions and thats why your proclamation of faith is meaningless.

[Badlun]

I searched the whole Quran for the word Muslim. It seems there is no explicit definition of a Muslim, although it has been called to different people in different situations. Among them the following verses seem to match your question better than others:

1) قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah ." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]." [ Ali-Imran: 64 ]
2) وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims." [Fussilat: 33]
3) وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ
And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. [Al-Haj: 78]
4) وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنتُم مُّسْلِمِينَ
And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in Allah , then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims." [ Yunus: 84]
5) وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى الْحَوَارِيِّينَ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِي وَبِرَسُولِي قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَاشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ
And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger Jesus." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah ]." [Al-Ma'idah: 111]

But as you asked for the minimum reqiurements of a Muslim, I think the first verse (Ali-Imran: 64) has the key answer, since it points to the word that is equitable between different people of the Scripture. These requirements (as johan.i.zahri mentioned) are:

• Worshiping just and just Allah
• Not associating anything with him (Renounce Shirk)
• Not taking one another as lords instead of Allah

So it could mean that Quran even calls Christians and Jews, 'Muslim'. Then how can we call some muslims, 'non Muslim'?

http://islam.stackexchange.com/questions/2718/what-is-the-definition-of-muslim-according-to-the-holy-quran