The prescription of Nabi (Sallalaahou Alaihi Wasallam)

A medical prescription has the desired effect when the dosage and the frequency are observed. If one consumed a medicine more or less than the prescribed dose, or without observing certain conditions, then not only will it not have the desired effect, but in some cases it may even proof to be harmful. This is what happens with regards to practising the Deen too. There is a method to fulfill every Ibaadah. An Ibaadah may contain great merits and virtues, but if it is performed incorrectly, without observing its principles, then instead of rewards, sins will be accrued. For example, Salah is an Ibaadah full of merits and virtues. But one is not allowed to perform it at the time of sunrise or sunset. A person commits a sin if he performs Salah at this time. Once, someone performed Salah at sunrise. Hazrat Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) prevented him. The person asked, "O Ali! Do you think that Allah will punish me because I am performing Salah?" Hazrat Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied: "No, He will not punish you because of performing Salah but He will punish you because you went against the Sunnah of His Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam)."

This shows that practicing Deen is like a medical prescription which should be observed. It is wrong not to observe it. The wrong is either in decreasing or increasing something in Deen. If we decrease something, it is called تفريط (Tafreet) and if we increase something, it is called افراط (Ifraat). Both are not right. By following the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallalaahou Alaihi Wasallam), the Deen will be balanced. _We lose the benefits and the rewards of an Ibaadah when we perform it without observing the Mubaarak Sunnah of Nabi (Sallalaahou Alaihi Wasallam). It is very essential and important to follow the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam). If a person performed  Qailullah (the afternoon nap) with the intention of establishing the Sunnah, then it is more rewarding than performing Tahajjud without adopting the Sunnah method. This happens when Qailullah is performed with the intention of establishing the Sunnah. One will accrue benefits and at the same time, gets the rest one needs. This is opposed to not attaining reward and facing difficulties to wake up in the middle of the night to perform Tahajjud when not done according to the Sunnah. It is a great sacrifice to wake up for Tahajud but despite that, it is inferior to that nap which was done with the intention of following the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallalaahu Alaihi Wasallam). The difference between the two practices is in following the Sunnah. A practice becomes appreciable and meritorious when it is practiced according to the Sunnah, even if it seems to be a simple practice and vice versa. That is a practice which seems great and in which there are difficulties, will not be appreciable if it was not practiced according to the Sunnah.

Enthusiasm and ardent desire are not sufficient to practice the Deen properly. One also needs to know the injunctions of each action which have been precisely defined by the noble Fuqaha (jurists). Otherwise, fanaticism and enthusiasm will deflect and mislead a person while the person is under the impression that he is on the right track. That is why, he may practice things which are not Ibaadah while considering them as Ibaadah. This is known as Bid'ah. And sometimes he is so blinded by his enthusiasm and fanaticism that he uses haraam means to establish a practice of Deen.

These are the same factors that drive people to perform Nawaafil Salaah (eg. Salat-ut-Tasbeeh, Salaat-ul- Awwaabeen etc.) with jamaat, while this practice is actually categorised as strictly undesirable by the Fuqaha. It is true that these Salaah contain great virtues and merits, just like how Salah with jamaat (congregation) also has its own merits. But it is also true that jamaat does not apply to all Salaah like in Salaat-ul-Awwaabeen and Salaat-ut-Tasbeeh. It is not the Sunnah Tareeqah (way) to perform these Salah with jamaat. That is why the Fuqaha classified this practice as Makruh Tahreemi (strictly undesirable).

The public may commit similar mistakes; firstly, because they are blinded by their whims and secondly, due to ignorance  that prevents them from assessing the harmful consequences of their actions. Their eyes are focused only on the so-called current and temporary benefits. Despite this, the Fuqaha remain on their guard due to the vision and the clairvoyance that they have acquired from the Nur (light) and the deep knowledge of the Shariah. This enables them to take into consideration the harmful consequences that a practice may lead to in the future if it is not prevented. Unfortunately, those who do not understand this find it surprising that a practice, which is considered so effective and appreciable by the public, is categorised as strictly undesirable. It is quite normal and understandable if the public cannot comprehend this fact. What is blameworthy and detestable is when they do not willingly want to submit to the verdicts of the Fuqaha and they openly declare that they understand the Deen better than the Fuqaha.

[English version of “Prescription de Nabi ‎(Sallalaahou Alaihi Wasallam)‎” - Al Jamiat Vol.8 No.4]