The Commandments of Islam (2/4)

7) It commands joining ties of relation and forbids severing them. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? *Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.” (Surah Muhammad, 47:22-23)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

 “One who severs ties of relations will not enter Jannah.” (Reported by Bukhari #5638 & Muslim #2556)

8) It commands and encourages marriage. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

 “O youth! Whoever of you is able to get married let him do so, for it lowers one’s gaze and keeps one chaste. Whoever is not able then let him fast, for indeed it acts like a shield for him.” (Reported by Bukhari #1806 & Muslim #1400)

It forbids fornication and homosexuality and all things which lead to it. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are al-fawaahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds) unrighteous oppression, joining partners in worship with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.” (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:33)

9) It orders the protection of the wealth of orphans and their well-treatment, and it forbids consuming their wealth without right. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Verily, those who unjustly devour the property of orphans, they devour only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire.” (Surah An-Nisa', 4:10)

It forbids grieving and ill-treating them. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.” (Surah Ad-Duha, 93:9)

10) It orders that one be truthful in his testimony and forbids that one lie in them (shahaadat-uz-zoor). The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

 “Shall I not tell you the three greatest sins?” They said. “Indeed O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating partners with Allah (shirk) and ill-treatment of parents.” He was leaning [when he mentioned that], and then sat up straight (as if he was alarmed) and said, “And bearing false witness.” [The narrator] said, “He continued to repeat this until we said [to ourselves], “If only he would stop.” (Reported by Bukhari #2511 & Muslim #87)

11) It commands that one fulfill his oaths and forbids that one lie in it: (al-yameen al ghamoos), which means that one intentionally lies in his oath in order to deprive another right. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah’s Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Jannah). Neither will Allah speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment.” (Surah Al-‘Imran 3:77)

12) It commands humans to take care of themselves and forbids suicide, whether directly or indirectly, such as dealing with intoxicants, drugs, cigarettes, and other things which modern medicine has proven to be causes of harmful diseases. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“…And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. * And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire, and that is easy for Allah.” (Surah An-Nisa', 4:29-30)

13) It commands truthfulness, trustworthiness, and the fulfilling of oaths; and it forbids lying, deception and treachery. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your amaanaat (things entrusted to you and all the duties which Allah has ordained for you).” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:27)

(Continued)