Three Pre-Requisites for our
Islamic Duties
Just as there are three levels of obligations
to God, there are three pre-requisites to fulfilling these obligations. A pre-requisite is not an obligation in
itself, but it is something in the absence of which an obligation is impossible
to fulfill, thereby making it an indirect obligation. This is easily understood by drawing an
analogy to the prayer. Since ablution (wudu)
is essential for prayer, it is an indirect obligation in Islam, but only so
because prayer is the real obligation, without which there would be no need for
the ablution per say.
The First Pre-Requisite – Jihad
In order to fulfill our obligations to God, it is essential to strive in
His cause (which is the literal meaning of Jihad). This is the
starting point and also the culminating point.
Nothing can be accomplished without making sincere and concerted
effort. Likewise, Muslims are supposed to
strive in the light of their faith. The
clashes that take place as a result of this striving (which might be of
multiple natures such as personal and internal, psychological, ideological or
even physical) are called “Jihad”. Let
us discuss the term Jihad with reference to its three basic and fundamental
demands.
No comments:
Post a Comment