Both intention and method righteous
Basic motivation: Not only in ibadah to Allah, good deeds among people should be carried out both with true intention and method in accordance to Syariah. Turkish military officers pray for the soldiers slain during their clash with Kurdish militiamen on October 5, 2008. Picture: AFP
Friday, October 10, 2008
TO HAVE a coherent purpose in carrying out any task is the main pillar for all endeavours. Islam stipulates that the main condition for every deed (to be acknowledged) is for a person to have an upright intention and this is after ensuring that his aqidah (creed) is safe and sound.
Therefore, the same deed is judged differently based on the person's intention. Someone who falls from a high building because he accidentally slips does not have the same position alongside Allah with someone who falls from a high building because he wants to kill himself. Although those who look at their dead bodies will think that they may have died for the same reason but in the eyes of Allah, there is a difference between the two.
The one who accidentally slips is forgiven by Allah and probably receives rewards from Allah if his intention of being on top of the building is noble whereas the one who kills himself commits a major sin in the eyes of Allah.
However, an honest intention is not enough if the means used to achieve it is wrong.
If the person who accidentally slips has deliberately chosen a deadly method to do his work whereas it can be avoided, then his death is regarded as throwing himself into harm and this is forbidden by Allah.
In issues concerning politics, economy, specific 'ibadah (act of worship) and others, the Islamic principle is the same that is the end does not justify the means.
Thus, in Islam, after it is required to have a correct intention, for a deed to be regarded as pious or deserving rewards in Islam is for its means to be correct that is conforming to the guidance from Allah and al-Sunnah.
One who has a good intention but performs a solat that had never taught by Allah's Messenger is regarded as wrong and contradicts the Sunnah.
For instance, if someone fabricates a new solat linking it to a certain event or giving it a specific name such as 'solat of reduction in fuel price' then it is considered wrong albeit the intention is good. Because of that, it is not surprising to see the ulama vehemently voicing their objections against the newly fabricated acts of worship that are not found stated in any sahih hadith.
For instance, the outstanding scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi'i, al-Imam al-Nawawi (deceased in 676H) was being very stern in objecting the Solat Raghaib that is the solat specifically performed on the first Friday night in the month of Rajab.
We can see this from his writing when he expounded a hadith from the Prophet reported by al-Imam Muslim. From Abi Hurayrah, the Prophet said, "Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday)." (reported by Muslim)
Al-Imam al-Nawawi said, "In this hadith, there is a clear prohibition against singling out Friday night to perform a solat that is not performed in the other nights and to observe fasting during the day as stated. It is a unanimous consensus among the ulama to judge it as makruh (disliked, detested). The ulama use this hadith to provide a contention for attesting the fault of solat bid'ah called Solat al-Raghaib. May Allah destroy the fabricator and creator of this solat. This is because it is a wicked bid'ah from the type of bid'ah that is deviant and ignorant. In it is a clear wickedness. Verily, a group of ulama have produced valuable writings that are abundant in condemning and asserting the deviancy of those performing that solat as well as the fabricator. The ulama have stated the reasoning for the badness and the wickedness and the deviancy of its fabricator." (Syarh Sahih Muslim by Imam Nawawi)
Similarly, another scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi'i named al-Imam al-Suyuti (deceased in 910H) also said, "You should know that, may Allah bless you, verily the act of glorifying that day and its night (the day and night of the first Friday in Rajab) is a newly fabricated deed in Islam which emerged after four hundred years. There is a hadith judged as fabricated by the consensus of ulama that narrates the benefits of observing fasting during the day and performing solat during the night. They call it solat Raghaib." He then said, "Know that verily this fabricated solat contradicts the Islamic way in many forms.." (Al-Amr bi al-Ittiba' wa al-Nahy 'an al-Ibtida' by Imam Al-Suyuti)
We can see that these ulama were being very stern and the words they used were even more burning and harsh in objecting the specific 'ibadah not originated from the Prophet.
They all had the same intention that was to preserve the genuineness of this religion of revelation to inhibit meddling by humankind. Allah says (translated as): "What! Have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah?" (translation of the Quran surah Asy-Syura: 21)
The Prophet said, "He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected." (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In matters of muamalah or life's routine, the scope provided by the religion is very vast. It is not as narrow as matters in specific 'ibadah involving solat, fasting, du'a (recitations of prayer) and the likes of it. Nevertheless, as we keep ourselves occupied with the worldly affairs, let us not perform noble deeds in ways that contradict the principles of Islam.
For instance, the intention of collecting donation for the orphans is commendable. However, if the method includes organising the kind of concert that promotes negative elements to the youth then it is no longer considered as commendable. This is because the end does not justify the means.
That is why I objected the ceremony of meditation and salutations performed to the National Monument. That ceremony cannot be performed by a Muslim who holds fast to the aqidah (faith) of genuine tauhid (Islamic monotheistic belief).
His intention was probably good that was to commemorate our national heroes but that was not the right way to do it. That ceremony contained a clear element of idolatry. It contradicted the principles of Islamic belief that is uncontaminated from elements of syirk (joining others in worship with Allah).
How else can we regard a ceremony that involves meditation, offering salute and presenting garlands to a statute if not similar to idolatry? Is this kind of ceremony not performed by idol worshippers?
If the person performing the ceremony stated that he did not have any conviction or intention that the monument could give any benefit or harm but rather, it was only an empty ceremony then it means that he had performed a worthless and stupid task. At the same time, it is still regarded as haram by syara' (Islamic law) since it resembles the religious ceremony of idol worshippers.
If that person thought that the ceremony could bring forth peace and tranquility to the country or bliss to the soul of those heroes then that conviction and deed carries a clear element of syirk.
Have we forgotten about the criticism Prophet Ibrahim peace be upon him gave to his people? Allah says (translated as): "We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. Behold! He said to his father and his people, 'What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?' They said, 'We found our fathers worshipping them.' He said, 'Indeed ye have been in manifest error — ye and your fathers'." (surah al-Anbiya: 51-54)
Fatwa was issued at state and national level to rule this deed as haram. Unfortunately, it has been officially resurrected and the Muslim community just keeps mum about it.
Do not let them to think that this action is acceptable in embracing the religion just because they see it is being done at higher level. Tomorrow they will probably give their salute or present a garland or fruits to any statue or monument or mound that they regard as holy.
Do not anyone who bears religious title try to justify that action. It is hoped that those flatterers or 'remunerated advisors' will not cause a downfall. Minda Mufti
Therefore, the same deed is judged differently based on the person's intention. Someone who falls from a high building because he accidentally slips does not have the same position alongside Allah with someone who falls from a high building because he wants to kill himself. Although those who look at their dead bodies will think that they may have died for the same reason but in the eyes of Allah, there is a difference between the two.
The one who accidentally slips is forgiven by Allah and probably receives rewards from Allah if his intention of being on top of the building is noble whereas the one who kills himself commits a major sin in the eyes of Allah.
However, an honest intention is not enough if the means used to achieve it is wrong.
If the person who accidentally slips has deliberately chosen a deadly method to do his work whereas it can be avoided, then his death is regarded as throwing himself into harm and this is forbidden by Allah.
In issues concerning politics, economy, specific 'ibadah (act of worship) and others, the Islamic principle is the same that is the end does not justify the means.
Thus, in Islam, after it is required to have a correct intention, for a deed to be regarded as pious or deserving rewards in Islam is for its means to be correct that is conforming to the guidance from Allah and al-Sunnah.
One who has a good intention but performs a solat that had never taught by Allah's Messenger is regarded as wrong and contradicts the Sunnah.
For instance, if someone fabricates a new solat linking it to a certain event or giving it a specific name such as 'solat of reduction in fuel price' then it is considered wrong albeit the intention is good. Because of that, it is not surprising to see the ulama vehemently voicing their objections against the newly fabricated acts of worship that are not found stated in any sahih hadith.
For instance, the outstanding scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi'i, al-Imam al-Nawawi (deceased in 676H) was being very stern in objecting the Solat Raghaib that is the solat specifically performed on the first Friday night in the month of Rajab.
We can see this from his writing when he expounded a hadith from the Prophet reported by al-Imam Muslim. From Abi Hurayrah, the Prophet said, "Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday)." (reported by Muslim)
Al-Imam al-Nawawi said, "In this hadith, there is a clear prohibition against singling out Friday night to perform a solat that is not performed in the other nights and to observe fasting during the day as stated. It is a unanimous consensus among the ulama to judge it as makruh (disliked, detested). The ulama use this hadith to provide a contention for attesting the fault of solat bid'ah called Solat al-Raghaib. May Allah destroy the fabricator and creator of this solat. This is because it is a wicked bid'ah from the type of bid'ah that is deviant and ignorant. In it is a clear wickedness. Verily, a group of ulama have produced valuable writings that are abundant in condemning and asserting the deviancy of those performing that solat as well as the fabricator. The ulama have stated the reasoning for the badness and the wickedness and the deviancy of its fabricator." (Syarh Sahih Muslim by Imam Nawawi)
Similarly, another scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi'i named al-Imam al-Suyuti (deceased in 910H) also said, "You should know that, may Allah bless you, verily the act of glorifying that day and its night (the day and night of the first Friday in Rajab) is a newly fabricated deed in Islam which emerged after four hundred years. There is a hadith judged as fabricated by the consensus of ulama that narrates the benefits of observing fasting during the day and performing solat during the night. They call it solat Raghaib." He then said, "Know that verily this fabricated solat contradicts the Islamic way in many forms.." (Al-Amr bi al-Ittiba' wa al-Nahy 'an al-Ibtida' by Imam Al-Suyuti)
We can see that these ulama were being very stern and the words they used were even more burning and harsh in objecting the specific 'ibadah not originated from the Prophet.
They all had the same intention that was to preserve the genuineness of this religion of revelation to inhibit meddling by humankind. Allah says (translated as): "What! Have they partners (in godhead), who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah?" (translation of the Quran surah Asy-Syura: 21)
The Prophet said, "He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected." (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In matters of muamalah or life's routine, the scope provided by the religion is very vast. It is not as narrow as matters in specific 'ibadah involving solat, fasting, du'a (recitations of prayer) and the likes of it. Nevertheless, as we keep ourselves occupied with the worldly affairs, let us not perform noble deeds in ways that contradict the principles of Islam.
For instance, the intention of collecting donation for the orphans is commendable. However, if the method includes organising the kind of concert that promotes negative elements to the youth then it is no longer considered as commendable. This is because the end does not justify the means.
That is why I objected the ceremony of meditation and salutations performed to the National Monument. That ceremony cannot be performed by a Muslim who holds fast to the aqidah (faith) of genuine tauhid (Islamic monotheistic belief).
His intention was probably good that was to commemorate our national heroes but that was not the right way to do it. That ceremony contained a clear element of idolatry. It contradicted the principles of Islamic belief that is uncontaminated from elements of syirk (joining others in worship with Allah).
How else can we regard a ceremony that involves meditation, offering salute and presenting garlands to a statute if not similar to idolatry? Is this kind of ceremony not performed by idol worshippers?
If the person performing the ceremony stated that he did not have any conviction or intention that the monument could give any benefit or harm but rather, it was only an empty ceremony then it means that he had performed a worthless and stupid task. At the same time, it is still regarded as haram by syara' (Islamic law) since it resembles the religious ceremony of idol worshippers.
If that person thought that the ceremony could bring forth peace and tranquility to the country or bliss to the soul of those heroes then that conviction and deed carries a clear element of syirk.
Have we forgotten about the criticism Prophet Ibrahim peace be upon him gave to his people? Allah says (translated as): "We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him. Behold! He said to his father and his people, 'What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?' They said, 'We found our fathers worshipping them.' He said, 'Indeed ye have been in manifest error — ye and your fathers'." (surah al-Anbiya: 51-54)
Fatwa was issued at state and national level to rule this deed as haram. Unfortunately, it has been officially resurrected and the Muslim community just keeps mum about it.
Do not let them to think that this action is acceptable in embracing the religion just because they see it is being done at higher level. Tomorrow they will probably give their salute or present a garland or fruits to any statue or monument or mound that they regard as holy.
Do not anyone who bears religious title try to justify that action. It is hoped that those flatterers or 'remunerated advisors' will not cause a downfall. Minda Mufti
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