reading time ~8 mins
Deen is based on revelation not opinion
Islam is based on rules defined through revelation in the Quran and Sunnah. The shariah is not based on human logic, opinion, whims or desires
In fact, it is forbidden to declare things halal or haram based on our own opinions. Allah says in the Quran
Do not falsely declare with your tongues, “This is lawful, and that is unlawful,” ˹only˺ fabricating lies against Allah. Indeed, those who fabricate lies against Allah will never succeed
Quran 16:116
When Allah and the Prophet ﷺ decide a matter, we hear and we obey, there is no individual opinion on the matter anymore
It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any other choice in that matter. Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone ˹far˺ astray.
Quran 33:36
‘Abd Khayr reported: Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “If the religion were based upon one’s opinion, one might expect the bottom of the leather sock to be wiped instead of the top. I have seen the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, wiping over the upper part of his leather socks.”
Abi Dawud 162 Abi Dawud 162 abuaminaelias Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
A believer never prioritizes human intellect, emotions, or personal logic over divine revelation and established texts
The companion Sahl bin Hunaif رضي الله عنه said, ‘O people! Blame your personal opinions in your religion.’
Bukhari 7308
The believers hear and obey
The Messenger ˹firmly˺ believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They ˹all˺ believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. ˹They proclaim,˺ “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. ˹We seek˺ Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You ˹alone˺ is the final return.”
Quran 2:285
Moderation in good deeds
We are encouraged to do good deeds in moderation and not be overzealous
Narrated `Aisha رضي الله عنها; Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.“
Bukhari 6464
Narrated ‘Aisha رضي الله عنها; Once the Prophet (ﷺ) came while a woman was sitting with me. He said, “Who is she?” I replied, “She is so and so,” and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly, “Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity (without being overtaxed) as Allah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (act of Worship) in the sight of Allah is that which is done regularly.“
Bukhari 43
A’isha رضي الله عنها, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ), reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to say: Observe moderation (in doing deeds), and if you fail to observe it perfectly, try to do as much as you can do (to live up to this ideal of moderation) and be happy for none would be able to get into Paradise because of his deeds alone. They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah’s Messenger, not even you? Thereupon he said: Not even I, but that Allah wraps me in His Mercy, and bear this in mind that the deed loved most by Allah is one which is done constantly even though it is small.
Muslim 2818a
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As رضي الله عنه: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “O `Abdullah! Have I not been formed that you fast all the day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them (the fast) at other times; stand up for the prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you.“
Bukhari 5199
Overzealousness can lead to burn out and eventually abandoning the good deed
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As رضي الله عنه : Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, “O `Abdullah! Do not be like so and so who used to pray at night and then stopped the night prayer.“
Bukhari 1152
Spending on Family is charity
Abu Mas’ud reported رضي الله عنه : The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If a Muslim spends on his family seeking reward from Allah, it is charity for him.”
Bukhari 5351 Bukhari 5351 Muslim 1002 abuaminaelias Muslim 1002a
Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Of the dinar you spend as a contribution in Allah’s path, or to set free a slave, or as a sadaqa given to a needy, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spent on your family.
Muslim 995
Salman ibn ‘Amir رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Charity given to the poor has one reward, and charity given to family has two rewards: one for charity and one for upholding family ties.”
Tirmidhi 658 Tirmidhi 658 abuaminaelias Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
Charity begins with those under your responsibility
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported I asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), What kind of sadaqah is most excellent? He replied What a man with little property can afford to give; and begin with those for whom you are responsible.
Abi Dawud 1677 Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
Starting with oneself, then one’s family, then one’s relatives, when spending
Jabir رضي الله عنه reported: A person from the Banu ‘Udhra set a slave free after his death. This news reached the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Upon this he said: Have you any property besides it? He said: No. Upon this he said: Who would buy (this slave) from me? Nulaim b. Abdullah bought it for eight hundred dirhams and (this amount was) brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who returned it to him (the owner), and then said: Start with your own self and spend it on yourself, and if anything is left, it should be spent on your family, and if anything is left (after meeting the needs of the family) it should be spent on relatives, and if anything is left from the family, it should be spent like this, like this. And he was saying: In front of you, on your right and on your left.
Muslim 997a
Financial Independence is encouraged – Giving hand is better than one who takes
Narrated Hakim bin Hizam رضي الله عنه: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.“
Bukhari 1427
Importance of Inheritance: Better to leave family wealthy than begging
Sa’d رضي الله عنه reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, visited me while I was ill in Mecca. I said, “I have some wealth. May I donate all of it?” The Prophet said, “No.” I said, “Half of it?” The Prophet said, “No.” I said, “A third of it?” The Prophet said, “Yes a third, but this is still too much. That you leave your inheritors wealthy is better than leaving them dependent, begging for what people have. Whatever you spend on them is charity for you, even the morsel you feed to your wife.”
Bukhari 2742
Covering basic needs of family for a year
Narrated `Umar رضي الله عنه: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to sell the dates of the garden of Bani An-Nadir and store for his family so much food as would cover their needs for a whole year.
Bukhari 5357
Fear of leaving helpless children is legitimate
Let the guardians be as concerned ˹for the orphans˺ as they would if they were to ˹die and˺ leave ˹their own˺ helpless children behind. So let them be mindful of Allah and speak equitably.
Quran 4:9
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