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THE U S OOL (PRINCIPLES) OF DEEN

The entire structure of the Deen of Islaam , i.e. of Imaan , is based on THREE fundamental principles which are known as Usool-e-Deen . These three Usool are:

1. TAUHEED : (The doctrine of Allah's Unity)

2. RISAALAT : (The doctrine of believing in a Nabi )

3. AAKHIRAH : (The doctrine of the Hereafter)

These principles will be discussed in detail in the ensuing pages.

The Deen having three Usool should not be construed to mean that belief in only those three doctrines makes one a Muslim. These three principles are common to the deen brought by all the Ambiya (alayhis salaam) from Aadam (AS) to Muhammad (SAW). The Shari'ah of each Nabi and Rasool was based on these three Usool .

THE POSITION OF ‘ AML (PRACTICE) IN ISLAM

‘ Aml or practice broadly speaking signifies the external dimension of Imaan or Islaam . It refers to practice– to righteous deeds and abstention from prohibitions. It covers the physical acts of the body regarding virtue and vice.

‘ Aml is of the greatest importance for the cultivation, nourishment and development of Imaan . In the absence of ‘ Aml , Imaan remains stunted, withered and shorn of vitality and spiritual effulgence and glitter ( Noor ). For the progress of Imaan , the existence of ‘ Aml is imperative. The role of ‘ Aml is to develop Imaan into perfection.

While ‘ Aml is vital for the development and perfection of Imaan it is not a fundamental constituent in the nature of Imaan or Tasdeeq . ‘ Aml is not an integral part of Imaan . ‘ Aml is, therefore, not conditional for the validity of Imaan although it is conditional for its development and perfection. This should not be understood to mean that the non-acceptance of ‘ Aml does not negate Imaan . Rejection of ‘ Aml will destroy Imaan whereas non-execution of ‘ Aml will weaken Imaan , not negate Imaan , e.g. rejection of Salaat will negate Imaan . However, if Salaat is accepted as Rasoolullah 's (SAW) teaching, but is not practically executed, Imaan will be intact, albeit deplorably weak.

Since ‘ Aml is not a fundamental constituent part of Imaan , a person will remain a Muslim or a Mu'min even if he does not execute the practical side of Islaam as long as he subscribes to the Tasdeeq of the Shari'ah . Such Tasdeeq or Imaan as stated earlier exists with the concise assertion, viz. the Kalimah .

HUKM (EFFECT) OF IMAAN

The effect ( hukm ) of Imaan without ‘ Aml is delayed or postponed Najaat , i.e. the denial of immediate entry into Jannat . Immediate entry into Jahannum becomes incumbent. * It is entirely a different matter if Allah decides to forgive any non-practising Muslims and grant them immediate Najaat . That is His Prerogative, Mercy and Generosity and is not within the scope of the Shar'i Hukm of Imaan bilaa ‘Aml ( Imaan without practise).

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