Islamic Legal Rulings (Shari’ah) Are Divided into Two Categories

 

According to Islamic Fiqh or the knowledge of Shari’ah, the commandments or instructions from Allah to mankind are mainly categorized into two principal types: Commands and Prohibitions.

In Shari’ah Terminology – Commands

The actions that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) have instructed to be performed and were followed by the Companions accordingly are regarded as commands in Shari’ah. These commanded actions are further divided into four categories:

• Fardh (Obligatory)
• Wajib (Necessary)
• Sunnah (Prophetic Practice)
• Nafl (Voluntary/Optional)

1. The First Command in Shari’ah – Fardh (Obligatory)

The rulings of Shari’ah that must be observed unconditionally are called Fardh. If a person deliberately neglects a Fardh obligation without a valid excuse, it is considered a major sin (Kabirah Gunah). If someone misses a Fardh act, it must be made up (Qadha). A person who abandons it without a valid reason is labeled as Fasiq (open sinner), and one who denies it is considered a Kafir (disbeliever).

(References: Raddul Muhtar: 1/397; Usul al-Sarkhasi: 1/110)

Fardh is further divided into two types:

Fardh al-‘Ayn: Obligations that are individually binding on every adult, sane male and female. Examples include: Salat (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Hajj, Zakat, and acquiring necessary knowledge.

Fardh al-Kifayah: Obligations that are not required from everyone, but if a sufficient number of people perform them, the duty is lifted from others. Examples: Janazah (funeral) prayer, acquiring in-depth religious knowledge.

If no one fulfills a Fardh al-Kifayah, then everyone will be sinful for neglecting it. (Reference: Jawahirat al-Nayyirah: 1/4)

2. The Second Command – Wajib (Necessary)

In Islamic terminology, a Wajib is a ruling that is not established by a definitive text (Qat’i), but rather through a strong presumptive evidence (Zanni).

Wajib is considered compulsory like Fardh, and abandoning it makes one guilty of a major sin. However, denying it does not render a person a disbeliever (Kafir), but rather a misguided sinner (Fasiq).

Examples include: Witr prayer and the two Eid prayers. (Reference: Mu’jam al-Faqih: 319)

3. The Third Command – Sunnah (Prophetic Practice)

Actions that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) directly commanded and were continuously followed by his Companions are termed as Sunnah. This is further divided into two categories:

Sunnah Mu’akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah): Actions that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions consistently practiced and encouraged others to perform.

Examples: Taraweeh prayer, twelve Sunnah Rak’ahs associated with the five daily prayers.

Sunnah Mu’akkadah holds a status similar to Wajib in terms of accountability. While abandoning it might be forgiven, one could still be punished. Consistent neglect may even lead one towards disbelief (Kufr), according to some scholars, especially if done with disregard for its importance. However, if someone believes in it but abandons it out of laziness, they are still considered sinful.

Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Non-emphasized Sunnah) or Sunnah Zaidah: These are practices that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions sometimes performed without urging others to follow regularly.

Examples: Four Sunnah Rak’ahs before Isha and Asr, Tahajjud prayer, Ishraq and Awwabin prayers.

Abandoning a Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah does not incur sin, but performing it earns reward. (Reference: Raddul Muhtar: 1/77)

4. The Fourth Command – Nafl (Voluntary)

Nafl refers to actions that are rewarded when performed but incur no sin if left out.

Examples: Reciting excessive Salawat on Fridays, fasting three days every lunar month, fasting six days in Shawwal, etc.

Sunnah supports Fardh, and Nafl supports Sunnah. Thus, Sunnah is necessary for the perfection of Fardh, and Nafl for the perfection of Sunnah.

In Shari’ah Terminology – Prohibitions

Allah has prohibited certain actions in the Holy Qur’an, and His Messenger (peace be upon him) also forbade them. Violating these is against Shari’ah. These prohibitions are primarily divided into two categories:

• Haram (Forbidden)
• Makruh (Disliked)

1. The First Prohibition – Haram (Forbidden)

Actions that are directly forbidden by Allah in the Qur’an and not practiced by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions are called Haram.

2. The Second Prohibition – Makruh (Disliked)

Makruh refers to actions that are deemed undesirable in Islam and were discouraged by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions. Makruh is generally of two types:

Makruh Tahrimi: Actions that are close to being Haram.

Example: Praying during sunrise, zenith, and sunset. Makruh Tahrimi must be avoided like Haram. Regular engagement in such acts without reason renders one a Fasiq (open sinner). (Reference: Qamus al-Fiqh: 3/247)

Makruh Tanzihi: Actions that are closer to being Halal.

Example: Taking or giving something with the left hand.

Mubah (Permissible)

Actions that are neither commanded nor forbidden in Islam are termed Mubah.Many Mubah acts can be transformed into acts of worship and bring reward if one intends to please Allah.

Examples: Buying and selling, wearing fine clothes within one’s means.

Conclusion

May Allah give us the ability to follow the rulings of Islamic Shari’ah. Everyone should memorize and familiarize themselves with these categories. Without understanding them, one may fail to grasp religious texts or instructions given by teachers. Therefore, it is essential to learn and remember these classifications.