Conforming to the Shari’ah

Allah sent His beloved Messenger (ﷺ) with the Shari’ah to convey to mankind a comprehensive framework that governs all possible human actions, conduct and behaviour. 

“Your words and deeds should be according to the Shari’ah since knowledge and action without observance of the Shari’ah is deviation.” [Imam Al-Ghazali]

3 Broad Categories of Shari’ah

On a personal level Shari’ah can be divided into three broad overarching categories: Ibadat (ritual acts of worship) and Mu’amalat (social transactions) and Ashyaa (interaction with entities).

1. Ibadat

Ibadat relate to all actions of worship, where the primary objective of worship is attaining nearness to Allah. One attains the nearness of Allah through performance of the ritual acts of worship like prayer, fasting, Hajj, and Zakah.

Principle: All actions of Ibadah are completely forbidden unless it is legislated by proof from the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In other words, we cannot worship with anything unless the Shari’ah permits it and it fulfils the conditions of worship.

There is no room to innovate, reform or come up with a new form of worship.

So if someone comes up with something new that we have no precedence of anything like it in the last 14 hundreds years, then it should ring alarm bells. 

2. Mu’amalat

Mu’amalat refers to the transactional law in regulating our interaction (trade, commerce, public administration, politics, law, justice, contract, marriage etc) both on the individual and societal level.

Principle: All interactions are screened to ensure they conform to the Qur’an and Sunnah.

By default we should not do anything until we know how to carry it out in accordance to the Shari’ah.

In doing so, we comply with the Shari’ah, and this transaction becomes an act of worship.

E.g. Employment – find work that is permissible and have the intention that it would be a means of gaining your livelihood, providing for family, to pay Zakah and support charitable causes. And every moment you are earning, it would be in worship. Every morsel of food you place in the mouth of your family, it would be considered as charity. And if your work is adding value and bringing benefit to the people, then, every day, you increase in rank. 

“The best of people are those that bring most benefit to mankind.” [Daraqutni]

3. Ashyaa:

Ashyaa is things. This refers to the daily interactions we have with entities (car, bike, tools, computer, animals, food etc).

Principle: All interactions with things are permissible unless there is a specific proof in the Shari’ah to prohibit it.

By default, all foods are permissible to consume unless there is proof of something impermissible within it. And if its doubtful, avoid it. 

So we don’t have to go around looking for proof every time we interact with something new or offered something to eat. We just need to know its not impermissible. 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful.” [Bukhari]

Eat and use the things that Allah has made permissible, then give thanks, and they will become a source of gratitude and worship.

Living by the Shari’ah

Know that Shari’ah was not sent to make our lives difficult, Divine Speech said:

“We have not sent down this Qur’an to cause you distress.” [Ta-Ha: 20:2]

Whatever Allah has instructed in terms of commands and prohibitions are in its rightful place, ordained out of wisdom and intended for our ultimate benefit. 

Summary

The three principles outline above are very simple to learn and live by. If we consciously choose our actions and interaction with the intention to stay within the Shari’ah, then everything we do or refrain from doing, will be counted as worship. To live by the Shariah is to worship Allah 24/7.