Al-Huda
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Newsletter for July 2012
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Etiquettes of Social Life
By Shaykh Ashraf Ali
It is essential for Muslims to adopt all five departments of the Sharee'ah. But, in the present age people have abbreviated the Sharee'ah. Some have taken only Aqaa-id, believing that only the proclamation of Laa ilaaha il lallaahu suffices for immediate entry to Jannah. Such persons, while they believe Salaat, sawm, etc., are fardh,
Etiquettes
of Social Life
By Shaykh Ashraf Ali
Of the five constitutional branches of Islaam, Muslims in
general nowadays regard only two branches as being integral
parts of the Deen. These are Aqaa-id (beliefs) and Ibaadaat
(worship). The Ulama-e-Zaahir (those Ulama concerned only with
the external dimension of Islaam - with only the letter of the
law) consider the third branch, viz. Muamalaat (mutual dealings
and transactions) also an integral part of Deen. The Mashaaikh
(of Tasawwuf) consider the fourth branch, viz. Akhlaaq (moral
character) also as part of Deen. However, the fifth branch, viz.
Aadaabul Muasharat (Social Etiquette) has been excluded by all
three groups, excepting a few among them. In fact, it is
believed that this branch is totally unrelated to Deen.
The other branches of the Deen are more or less all dealt with
and discussed in lectures and discourses. On the contrary, no
mention whatever is made of this fifth branch (Muasharat).
Hence, this branch has been assigned to the limbo of oblivion
both theoretically and practically.
The Five Branches of the Sharee'ah
The Sharee'ah consists of five branches or parts: Aqaa-id,
A'maal, Mu'aamalaat, Akhlaaq, Husn-e-Mu'aasharat:
* Aqaa-id (Beliefs), e.g. beliefs in the Oneness of Allah
Ta'aala and the Risaalat (Prophethood) of Rasoolullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam.
* A'maal (Righteous deeds) e.g. Salaat, Sawm.
* Mu'aamalaat (Transactions, Contracts) e.g. trade and commerce.
* Akhlaaq (Moral character) e.g. humility, generosity, etc.
* Husn-e-Mu'aasharat (Beautiful social conduct), i.e. good
relationship with people, e.g. abstention from acts which cause
others inconvenience, such as disturbing a person in his sleep.
The above mentioned five departments are collectively known as
the Sharee'ah. It is essential for Muslims to adopt all five
departments of the Sharee'ah. But, in the present age people
have abbreviated the Sharee'ah. Some have taken only Aqaa-id,
believing that only the proclamation of Laa ilaaha il lallaahu
suffices for immediate entry to Jannah. Such persons, while they
believe Salaat, sawm, etc., are fardh, they do not obtain the
good fortune of practically executing these acts of worship.
Others again, along with Aqaa-id observe Salaat, Sawm, etc., as
well. However, they have discarded Mu'aamalaat. In their
transactional dealings they are not concerned with the Deen,
whether their acts are lawful or not. They are indifferent to
the question of halaal and haraam regarding their earnings and
dealings. Then there are those who maintain their Mu'aamalaat on
a healthy footing, but are unconcerned with the reformation of
their moral character. Those who are
concerned about Akhlaaq are exceptionally few. In fact there are
even such persons who spend considerable time to reform others
while others are inconvenienced and annoyed by their behavior
and attitude. They remain unaware of the difficulty they are
causing others by their actions and behavior. They are
completely uncaring about their own detestable condition. There
are numerous such persons who will not venture to offer salaam
to a poor Muslim along the road. On the contrary they wait in
expectation of the salaam to be initiated by the poor.
Some people, along with Aqaa-id, A'maal and Mu'aamalaat are
concerned about the reformation of Akhlaaq, hence they adopt
ways and measures for the treatment of their morals. But, they
have discarded Husn-e-Mu'aasharat. In fact, they have excised it
from the Deen. They assert that there is no relationship between
the Sharee'ah and social conduct with people. They therefore
behave as they please, thinking that
the Sharee'ah has no say in such matters. Many people are pious
with good qualities such as humility, but in Mu'aasharat they
are lacking. They are not concerned whether they annoy and
inconvenience others by their behavior. In most insignificant
things they bring about difficulty and inconvenience to others.
Their attention is totally diverted from little things which
cause difficulty to others while in the Hadeeth there are
numerous incidents narrated which show that Rasoolullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam cared for the little things just as
much as he cared for important matters.
Mu'aasharat - An Integral Part of the Deen It should now be
realized that Mu'aasharat is an inseparable part of the Deen. A
perfect Muslim will, therefore, be one who adopts all the
branches of the Deen. In all aspects he has to behave like a
Muslim. There has to be no resemblance with the kuffaar.People
have generally understood Mu'aamalaat and Mu'aasharat to be
beyond the scope of the Deen. It is indeed surprising
that a person regards his dealings and his social conduct beyond
the confines of Divine Law, but at the same time he acknowledges
that his dealings and social conduct are governed by the laws of
worldly governments. No one ever ventured to tell the state
authorities that the government has no right in our private
business enterprises, etc. People readily submit to governmental
laws and restrictions applicable to their
trade and commerce, etc.
Beautiful Social Conduct is More Important than Beautiful
Dealings of Commerce The need for proper observance of
Mu'aasharat is of greater importance than Mu'aamalaat. Rectitude
in Mu'aamalaat largely ensures the protection of material wealth
while Husn-e-Mu'aasharat (Beautiful conduct with others) ensures
the protection of the hearts of the Muslims. It is quite obvious
that the rank of the heart is greater than
that of material wealth. In the rectification of Mu'aasharat is
also the protection of the honor and reputation of others. After
the protection of Imaan, safeguarding honour and reputation is
of the greatest importance. Man is prepared to sacrifice
everything in the endeavor to safeguard his honor. On the
occasion of Hajjatul Widaa, Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi
wasallam declared the sanctity of the blood, honor and wealth of
the Muslimeen. Until the Day of Qiyaamah the honor and
reputation of the Believers have been declared sacred. This
sanctity cannot, therefore, be violated.
courtesy: Saalim Alvi
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