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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.
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 behaviour. 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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