Prohibitions in Islam - Page 4
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between violating prohibitions by making false claims about Islam being easy - although it is easy, beyond any doubt - and availing oneself of legitimate concessions such as being allowed to join or shorten prayers; to break one’s fast when travelling; to wipe one’s socks when performing Wazu - for one day and one night for a person who is not travelling, and for three days and three nights in the case of travelling; to perform tayammum when one is afraid to use water; to join two prayers together when one is sick or when rain is falling; to look at a non-mahram woman for purposes of marriage; to have the choice, in the case of making expiation for a broken vow, between freeing a slave or feeding or clothing the poor; to eat the meat of dead animals when necessary - and other kinds of concessions allowed by Sharee’ah.
In addition to the above, the Muslim should realize that one principle underlies all the prohibitions in Islam: Allah is testing His slaves by means of these prohibitions, to see what they will do. One of the things that distinguish the people of Paradise from the people of Hell is that the people of Hell indulge in the desires with which the Fire is surrounded, whereas the people of Paradise patiently endure the hardships with which the Garden is surrounded. Were it not for this test, the obedient would not be distinguished from the disobedient. People of faith look at the difficulties involved from the perspective of the reward they will earn by pleasing Allah, so obedience becomes easy for them. The hypocrites, on the other hand, view these difficulties as a matter of pain, suffering and deprivation, so obedience becomes a heavy burden on them. By foregoing what is prohibited, the obedient person gains much more: whoever forsakes something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better, and he will enjoy the sweet taste of faith in his heart.
This book discusses a number of the prohibitions that have been proven in Sharee’ah, based on evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. (Some scholars have grouped the prohibitions under headings such as Al-kabaa’ir or major sins. Among the best books on the topic is Tanbeeh Al-ghaafileen ‘an a’maal Al-jaahileen by Ibn Al-Nahhaas Al- Dimashqi, (May Allah have mercy on him). These prohibitions include actions which are widely practiced among many Muslims. By mentioning them our intention is to correct and advise people. We ask Allah to guide us and our Muslim brothers, and to help us to adhere to the limits which He has set and to avoid the things that He has prohibited, and to save us from our evil deeds. And Allah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
Shirk - associating partners with Allah
This is the most serious of all prohibitions, according to the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr, who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Shall I not tell you of the most serious of the major sins?’ three times. We said, ‘Of course, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘Associating anything in worship with Allah ’” (Agreed upon; see Al-Bukhari, no. 2511, Al-Bagha edition).
Every other sin may be forgiven by Allah, apart from shirk, which requires specific repentance, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases” [Al-Nissa’ 4:48]
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