Laws of Shari’a: Thread

Unfortunately, many people fail to understand the nature of our deen due to a lack of appropriate mindset and approach.

This thread will briefly discuss the مشروعات (laws)

Please see your local scholar for detailed information

There are four categories (Aqsaam):

1] Fardh
2] Waajib
3] Sunnah
4] Nafl

1] Fardh:

Literal meaning: to stipulate; to specify

Shar’i meaning: established with strong, convincing (Qat’i) proof, that has no doubt in it.

Ruling: obligatory to act upon it and believe in it. To deny it amounts to disbelief (kufr)

2] Waajib:

Literal:
- One opinion: it is from ‘suqoot’ which means to ‘fall’ i.e upon a Muslim without his choice or will.

- Others have said: wajib is a doubtful matter between fardh (obligatory) and nafl (optional)

As far as practice is concerned it is fardh (obligatory)

As far as belief is concerned it is nafl, therefore if one does not believe in the certainty of a wajib - it is not kufr.

Shar’i meaning: established by proof which has a slight amount of uncertainty.

i.e the Quranic Ayat is a definitive/certain proof, there are differences (ikthilaaf) in interpretation of certain terms e.g “quru” can either mean purity (tahoor) or menstruation (haydh)

Similarly, it is that which has been established from Solitary (Ahad) Hadith which does not meet the requirements of Mutawatir (a high classification).

Ahad Hadith can be Sahih (sound) Ḥasan (good) or Da’eef (weak).

Most A’immah agree that acting upon it is necessary.

Ruling of Wajib: obligatory to act upon it, optional to believe in it. Not permissible to leave it. To disregard it is not disbelief (kufr)

3] Sunnah

Literal: The path (Tariqa)
Shar’i: the preferred way of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the Khulafa e Rashidoon RA (Ahnaf)

Ruling: A person should attempt to revive it. And show dislike when disregarded, except when there is a valid excuse

4] Nafl

Literal: extra; additional

Shar’i: actions in excess of Fardh & Wajib

Ruling: A person will be rewarded for it, but will not be sinful for disregarding it

Disclaimer:

This has been derived from 5 different Tashreeh - both Arabic & English primers. This shows the delicacy and detailed nature of Islamic rulings - and this thread does not even touch the surface of how in depth they go.

Please do not make blanket rulings.

Primers were chosen because the vocabulary used in them are easier for most to understand.

The primary texts are much more detailed, in depth and require scholarly insight.