Islamic Rules in Simple Words and Important Things You Should Understand
Welcome to the first article of "Daily Islamic Rules"! In this article, I will explain some basic principles of Islamic rules that every Muslim, including you, should understand.
Islam is a religion that teaches a life filled with wisdom through rules that are easy to understand and apply. For some people, religious rules may seem burdensome or confusing. However, if these rules are understood in simpler terms, they actually provide a guide for life that brings peace and happiness.
In Islam, every aspect of our life is regulated so that we can live well, not only in this world but also in the hereafter. These rules cover all areas of life, from ways of worship, interacting with others, to maintaining cleanliness and health. All of these guidelines are designed to bring us closer to Allah and create harmony among people.
It is important to understand that the rules in Islam are not burdens but are instead easy-to-understand guidelines when viewed from the right perspective. Islam teaches us to do good, take care of ourselves and our families, and consider the rights of others. By doing so, we can live our daily lives with gratitude and mutual respect.
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So, let us learn Islamic rules in a simple way so that we can more easily apply them in our lives.
The Meaning of Islamic Rules
A synonym for "Islamic Rules" is "Islamic Laws" or "Sharia Laws." In Arabic, the phrase "Islamic Rules" is translated as: الأَحْكَامُ الشَّرْعِيَّةُ or الأَحْكَامُ الإِسْلَامِيَّةُ.
In simple terms, the meaning of Islamic rules or الأَحْكَامُ الشَّرْعِيَّةُ is as follows:
خِطَابُ اللهِ تَعَالَى الْمُتَعَلَّقُ بِأَفْعِالِ الْمُكَلَّفِيْنَ اقْتِضَاءً أَوْ تَخْيِيْراً أَوْ وَضْعاً
The words of Allah Taala regarding actions obligated on people, whether as demands, choices, or decrees.[1]
Islamic rules are a guide for Muslims that come from the Quran[2] and Hadith[3]. Each rule established in Islam is not only to maintain our relationship with Allah but also to create a harmonious and just society. These rules cover a broad range of aspects, from ways of worship, cleanliness, to interacting with others. All these regulations are intended to make it easier for Muslims to live daily life according to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger.
What Are the Rules in Islam?
There are many rules in Islam. In daily life, Islamic rules do not only pertain to ritual worship such as salah, fasting, or zakat. Islam also regulates social and moral aspects, such as how we interact with family, friends, and society. For instance, in interacting with others, Islam teaches us to always speak kindly and avoid harsh words. This is illustrated in the following hadith:
مَنْ كَانَ يُؤمِنُ بِاللهِ وَاْليَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْراً أَو لِيَصْمُتْ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤمِنُ بِاللهِ وَاْليَومِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ يُؤْذِ جَارَهُ، ومَنْ كَانَ يُؤمِنُ بِاللهِ واليَومِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.[4]
In other words, Islam emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s speech to avoid hurting others' feelings. These rules also include the obligation to maintain personal and environmental cleanliness and to respect the rights of others. All of this is part of worship accepted by Allah, as every good deed will be rewarded.
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Additionally, Islamic rules provide guidance on our relationship with Allah. One of these is the obligation to perform salah (prayer) five times a day. Salah is the pillar of the religion and is our way to communicate directly with Allah. In the Quran, Allah says:
فَاِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلٰوةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللّٰهَ قِيَامًا وَّقُعُوْدًا وَّعَلٰى جُنُوْبِكُمْ ۚ فَاِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُمْ فَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ ۚ اِنَّ الصَّلٰوةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ كِتٰبًا مَّوْقُوْتًا
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.[5]
The obligation to perform salah reminds us to draw closer to Allah every day and to be grateful for His blessings. Besides salah, fasting during the month of Ramadan is also an essential rule in Islam that teaches us patience and strengthens our piety toward Allah.
In economic matters, Islam also establishes clear rules. One of these is the obligation to pay zakat. Zakat is a duty for every capable Muslim to set aside a portion of their wealth and give it to those in need. This aims to purify one’s wealth and bring them closer to Allah, while also helping those who are less fortunate. We can find the explanation that zakat is one of the rules of Islam in the following Quranic verse and hadith:
وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَ وَارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرّٰكِعِيْنَ
And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].[6]
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ : شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُوْلُ اللهِ , وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ , وَإِيْتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ , وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ , وَحِجِّ الْبَيْتِ لِمَنْ اِسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيْلًا
Islam is built on five foundations: testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing prayers, paying Zakat, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and visiting the Baitullah (Hajj) for those who are able to travel there.[7]
In addition to zakat, there are also rules regarding the permissibility (halal) of food, ensuring that Muslims consume only what is allowed by Allah. Allah says:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُلُوْا مِنْ طَيِّبٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنٰكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِلّٰهِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ اِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُوْنَ
O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.[8]
Islamic rules are not limited to major obligations but also encompass aspects of daily life. For example, in personal cleanliness, Islam highly emphasizes the importance of wudu (ablution) before prayer. Wudu is a way to purify ourselves from minor impurities so we can stand before Allah with a clean heart and body. In fact, bodily and clothing cleanliness is part of faith. I will explain more about these aspects in the following articles, Insha Allah.
Why Are Islamic Rules Important?
Islamic rules are essential because they provide comprehensive guidance, regulating all aspects of a Muslim's life. Islam is not only about ritual worship, such as salah, fasting, or zakat, but also about how to interact with others, protect the environment, and navigate daily life. These rules are derived from Allah's revelations delivered through the Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah. They are guidelines directing Muslims to live rightly, justly, and balanced. Following these rules preserves harmony within oneself, one’s family, society, and even the nation. By adhering to these rules, we strive to attain happiness in this world and the hereafter, while also drawing closer to Allah. For example, in the Quran, Allah says:
يُّصْلِحْ لَكُمْ اَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوْبَكُمْۗ وَمَنْ يُّطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَهٗ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيْمًا
He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.[9]
If we understand the Quranic verse above, we can conclude that the rules of Islam have a noble purpose: to guide humanity towards true happiness. Additionally, these rules protect the rights of individuals and society and provide solutions to social issues.
Every rule in Islam contains wisdom and great benefits.
Islamic rules also provide a balance between rights and obligations, both towards Allah and fellow humans. In this regard, Islamic law teaches justice, not only in matters of worship but also in social, political, economic, and family life. For example, Islam emphasizes the importance of being just in treating others. Allah says:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْاِحْسَانِ وَاِيْتَاۤئِ ذِى الْقُرْبٰى وَيَنْهٰى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاۤءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُوْنَ
Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.[10]
The Quranic verse above explains that Islam regulates all aspects of life to create peace and shared prosperity. By adhering to Islamic rules, we are protected from harm and sin. These rules serve as a safeguard for Muslims to protect themselves from actions that could harm both themselves and others.
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These are some of the reasons why the rules of Islam are so important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Islamic rules:
Overall, What Are Islamic Rules?
Islamic rules are a complete and perfect guide for the life of Muslims.
What Are the Sources of Islamic Rules?
The sources of Islamic rules consist of two main ones: the Quran as Allah’s revelation and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, which includes his hadiths as a guide for the life of Muslims.
Who Is Required to Follow Islamic Rules?
Every Muslim who claims faith in Allah and His Messenger is required to follow Islamic rules. This includes all Muslims, both men and women, of all ages, backgrounds, and social statuses, in their personal, social, and spiritual lives. Specifically, those who are obliged to follow these rules are adult Muslims (baligh) who do not have valid Sharia reasons to be exempt.
What Are the Benefits of Following Islamic Rules?
Following Islamic rules brings inner peace, life balance, and harmonious relationships with others. In addition to gaining Allah's pleasure and rewards, following Islamic rules helps us avoid wrongful deeds and creates peace in society.
What Are the Consequences of Not Following Islamic Rules?
Not following Islamic rules can lead to inner restlessness, social conflict, and sins that impact the afterlife. Violating these rules also has the potential to damage one’s relationship with Allah and create instability within society.
Footnotes
[1] https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%8A
[2] The Quran is the miraculous word revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel): الْقُرْآنُ هُوَ اللَّفْظُ الْمُعْجِزُ الْمُنَزَّلُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِوَاسِطَةِ جِبْرِيْلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ.
[3] Hadith refers to everything attributed to the Prophet Muhammad,such as his sayings,actions,or approvals: الْحَدِيْثُ هُوَ كُلُّ مَا أُضِيْفَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ وَفِعْلٍ وَتَقْرِيْرٍ.
[4] Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Heart-Softening Narrations (Kitab ar-Riqaq), Chapter on Guarding the Tongue (Bab Hifdh al-Lisan), Number 6475.
[5] An-Nisa (4): 103.
[6] Al-Baqarah (2): 43.
[7] Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Faith (Kitab al-Iman), Number 8.
[8] Al-Baqarah [2]: 172.
[9] Al-Ahzab (33): 71.
[10] An-Nahl (16): 90.
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