FIQH

THIS IS AN ANSWER TO SOMEONE WHO WROTE AN ARTICLE SAYING THAT FIQH ISN'T IMPORTANT, ALL WE NEED TO DO IS GO IN JIHAD.

Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran “It is not for the Mu’mineen to proceed in jihad all together. Why does a small group from every large party not proceed to attain a deep understanding of Deen so that they may warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware?”  Surah Taubah verse 122

 

From the verse quoted above, it is clearly understood, beyond the need for explanation, that it is ALLAH’S COMMAND that because of the immense importance of the attainment of FIQH, which is the word used in this verse, and is most correctly translated as a deep understanding of Deen, the believers should divide themselves into two groups. Not all should go for jihad, rather a group should also free themselves from any other occupation and involvement, and devote themselves fully to fiqh. In fact, in the aayah, this is the group which is depicted as a fort, a safe haven, a place of return for those going out in Jihad. 

 

This then, is the desire and command of Allah, so clearly and unambiguously stated in His Final Word to mankind. Yet, it seems that there are some individuals who hold a view which is contrary to this desire. As unfortunate as it appears to be, the sad reality is this that differences and deviations have escalated to such a blasphemous height, that people have even started to differ with Allah Ta’ala himself. May He save us.

 

The objection and attack that has been made on fiqh is in reality, an objection against Deen e Islam itself, and has stemmed either from gross ignorance and misunderstanding, or from the sinister intention of sowing dissension amongst the innocent and naïve masses of this ummah.

 

The issues mentioned, which the brother passes off as merely being “petty things” and “superficial” are in reality, some of the most salient features of Islam, without which, it would be incomplete. They are the beautiful habits, practices and commands of none other than the leader of both worlds, our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa salam).

 

The miswak, has been emphasized upon so much that Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa salam) himself has said that if it wasn’t that the ummah would be put to difficulty, he would have made miswak compulsory with every wudhu.

As far as the beard and trousers below ankles are concerned, severe and dire warnings of punishment have been sounded to those who don’t adhere to these two commands.

So how can these essentials be labeled in such a derogatory and demeaning manner?

From the brother’s remark “In case you can’t tell I’m being extremely sarcastic,” there is quite a clear indication that mockery is being made of the issues mentioned.

To mock at any aspect of Deen is considered kufr and throws a person out from the folds of Islam. Thus, the brother is advised, that if he wants to save himself from destruction in both the worlds, he should make sincere taubah and renew his Imaan.

 

It seems that the term “fiqh” itself has not been understood. As already mentioned above, it is a deep understanding of Deen. In fact, it can be said that Fiqh is synonymous with Islam, because it is fiqh that tells a Muslim how to live every second of his life in compliance with Divine commandments, and that’s exactly what Islam is. From this it is clear that even Jihad falls under the purview of fiqh. The brother has portrayed this very fiqh to be meaningless, and his flimsy contradictory statement “I’m not saying that fiqh isn’t important” does little to dismiss this portrayal. Thus his claim that “we must leave fiqh aside, and concentrate on jihad” is rendered meaningless and self contradictory.

 

Finally, from the brother’s statement that “the best excuse Muslims seem to use is Islam” clearly points towards this fact that this jihad that he talks about is something completely different from Islam. Such a jihad then, is not a jihad. Only that jihad is acceptable in Allah’s court which to make His word high – to preserve and spread Islam. We have already mentioned that practical Islam is synonymous to fiqh.

 

May Allah guide us all to the straight path, Ameen.