The Commandments of Islam (1/4)

Seek a path in your relationship with society and others that is guided by the sayings of the Prophet (Peace be upon him):

“Avoid the prohibited and you will be the best worshipper, be pleased with the sustenance Allah has provided for you and you will be the richest of people, be good to your neighbor and you will be a true believer, desire for others what you desire for yourself and you will be a true Muslim, and do not laugh much, for indeed laughing much causes the heart to die.” (Reported by Tirmidhi #2305 & ibn Maajah #8081)

And he (Peace be upon him) said:

“A true Muslim is he from whom Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand, and a true muhaajir[1] is one who abandons what Allah has forbidden.” (Reported by Bukhari #10)

Islam aims to form a well-knit society, in which individuals show mutual mercy and love and exemplify the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) by ordering them to do certain things and to abstain from other things.

“The Believers in their love, mercy and feelings for each other are like one body: if one part feels pain, all the other parts feel pain by fever and sleeplessness.” (Reported by Bukhari #5665 & Muslim #2586)

 Islam has guided man to every good and warned them of every evil. Islam commands the following things:

1) It commands one to believe in the Tawheed of Allah (i.e. Oneness of Allah) and forbids associating partners with Him (i.e. Shirk). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides this to whom He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he indeed strays off into a remote error.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:116)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Avoid the seven destructive sins.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?’ He replied, “Associating partners (shirk) with Allah, sorcery, killing someone who Allah has forbidden without right, taking interest, consuming the wealth of orphans, fleeing upon confronting the enemy in battle, and accusing chaste believing women who are far removed from committing any licentious acts.” (Reported by Bukhari #2615 & Muslim #89)

2) It commands treating others well and forbids false consumption of wealth, such as interest, theft, deception, usurpation of property, and the like. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“O you who believe! Do not devour your property among yourselves falsely, except that it be trading by your mutual consent; and do not kill your people; surely Allah is Merciful to you.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:29)

3) It commands justice and equity and forbids all types of oppression and transgression against others. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Verily, Allah enjoins justice and al-Ihsaan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin; and forbids all licentious acts, evil, and oppression, He admonishes you, that you may take heed.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)

4) It commands that people cooperate in righteousness, and it forbids that they cooperate in evil. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Help you one another in righteousness and piety; and do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:2)

5) It commands with the preservation of souls, and forbids killing and participating in it, except with due right. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land!” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32)

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:

“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:93)

6) It commands well-treatment of one’s parents and forbids their disobedience. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. *And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.” (Surah Al-Isra', 17:23-24)

(Continued)