The goal of a human being is to live a life in which every action is according to the wishes of the Creator. In essence it is to achieve the status of being a perfect human being – the vicegerent of Allah on earth. A human being does not attain contentment until he/she has endeavoured to seek and remain on this course of action.
INTRODUCTION TO FIQH INCLUDING LAWS OF ISLAM (DIVINE LAWS)
LAWS OF ISLAM
- The laws of Islam are derived from the Qur’an and the teachings of the Ma’sumeen by Mujtahideen, who are experts in jurisprudence.
- Those who have not studied these rulings will follow a mujtahid. And this act of following is known as Taqleed.
- The concept is known as Ijtihad and its basis is found in the Qur’an where Allah says “…ask the people of remembrance if you do not know” 21:7
- This is the natural way of things, to seek knowledge from those who have it.
CURRENT MARAJE’
There are approximately 60 current maraje. Some of them are….
- Ayatullah Sayyed Ali Al Sistani
- Ayatullah Bashir Hussain Najafi
- Ayatullah Ali Hosseini Khamenei
- Ayatullah Hussein Vahid Khorasani
- Ayatullah Musa Shubairi Zanjani
- Ayatullah Lutfullah Safi Golpaygani
- Ayatullah Yusuf Sanei
- Ayatullah Sayyed Sadiq Rouhani
The 10 branches of religion are:
Sawm
“O you who believe! Sawm (Fasting) has been ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you so that you may be God concious.” (Qur’an 2:183)
Hajj
….and Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House is incumbent upon all human beings who are able to undertake it for the sake of Allah.”
(Qur’an 3:97)
Khums
“And know that whatever you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah and for His Prophet and (the Prophet’s) near relations, and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer….” (Qur’an 8:41)
Jihad
Jihad is often translated as ‘holy war’. However, it is much more than that. Jihad literally means to ‘work hard’ or ‘to strive’ for something.
Amr Bil Ma’ruf
“And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong, and these it is that shall be successful” (Qur’an 3:104)
Tawalla
“Say: I do not ask of you any reward but love for my near relatives…” (Qur’an 42: 23)
Tabarra
“O you who believe! Do not take My enemy and your enemy as friends…” (Qur’an 60:1)