To have a coherent purpose in carrying out any task is the main pillar for
all endeavors. Islam stipulates that the main condition for every deed (to be
acknowledged) is for a person to have an upright intention and this is after
ensuring that his akidah (creed) is safe and sound. The Propet s.a.w said, “The
reward of deeds depends upon the intentions” (Reported by al-Bukhari and
Muslim)
Therefore, the same deed is judged differently based on the person’s
intention. Someone who falls from a high building because he accidentally slips
does not have the same position alongside Allah with someone who falls from a
high building because he wants to kill himself. Although those who look at their
dead bodies will think that they may have died for the same reason but in the
eyes of Allah, there is a difference between the two.
The one who accidentally slips is forgiven by Allah
and probably receives rewards from Allah if his intention of being on top of the
building is noble whereas the one who kills himself commits a major sin in the
eyes of Allah. However, an honest intention is not enough if the means used to
achieve it is wrong.
If the person who accidentally slips has deliberately chosen a deadly method
to do his work whereas it can be avoided, then his death is regarded as throwing
himself into harm and this is forbidden by Allah. Islam does not acknowledge the
Robin Hood method that steals from others with the intention to donate to
others. In issues concerning politics, economy, specific ibadah (act of worship)
and others, the Islamic principle is the same that is the end does not justify
the means.
Thus, in Islam, after it is required to have a correct intention, for a deed
to be regarded as pious or deserving rewards in Islam is for its means to be
correct that is conforming to the guidance from Allah and al-Sunnah. In matters
of specific ibadah such as salat, fasting, hajj and the likes of it, the second
condition after a good intention is that the deed must be deemed acceptable
based on what had been demonstrated by Allah’s Messenger s.a.w.
One who has a good intention but performs a salaat that had never taught by
Allah’s Messenger s.a.w is regarded as wrong and contradicts the sunnah. For
instance, if someone fabricates a new salaat linking it to a certain event or
giving it a specific name such as ‘salaat of reduction in fuel price’ then it is
considered wrong albeit the intention is good.
Because of that, it is not surprising to see the ulama vehemently voicing
their objections against the newly fabricated acts of worship that are not found
stated in any sahih hadith. For instance, the outstanding scholar of Mazhab
al-Syafi’I, al-Imam al-Nawawi (deceased in 676H) was being very stern in
objecting the Salaat Raghaib that is the salaat specifically performed on the
first Friday night in the month of Rejab.
We can see this from his writing when he expounded a hadith from the Prophet
s.a.w reported by al-Imam Muslim. From Abi Hurairah r.a, the Prophet s.a.w said,
“Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and
do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you
is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday).”
(Reported by Muslim)
Al-Imam al-Nawawi said, “In this hadith, there is a clear prohibition against
singling out Friday night to perform a salaat that is not performed in the other
nights and to observe fasting during the day as stated. It is a unanimous
consensus among the ulama to judge it as makruh (disliked, detested). The ulama
use this hadith to provide a contention for attesting the fault of salaat bid’ah
called salaat al-Raghaib. May Allah destroy the fabricator and creator of this
salaat. This is because it is a wicked bid’ah from the type of bid’ah that is
deviant and ignorant. In it is a clear wickedness. Verily, a group of ulama have
produced valuable writings that are abundant in condemning and asserting the
deviancy of those performing that saalat as well as the fabricator. The ulama
have stated the reasoning for the badness and the wickedness and the deviancy of
its fabricator.” (Al-Nawawi, Syarh Sahih Muslim, 3/211. Beirut: Dar al-Khair).
Similarly, another scholar of Mazhab al-Syafi’I named al-Imam al-Sayuti
(deceased in 910H) also said, “You should know that, may Allah bless you, verily
the act of glorifying that day and its night (the day and night of the first
Friday in Rejab) is a newly fabricated deed in Islam which emerged after four
hundred years. There is a hadith judged as fabricated by the consensus of ulama
that narrates the benefits of observing fasting during the day and performing
salaat during the night. They call it salaat Raghaib.” He then said, “Know that
verily this fabricated salaat contradicts the Islamic way in many forms..”
(Al-Sayuti, Al-Amr bi al-Ittiba’ wa al-Nahy ‘an al-Ibtida’ pg. 52. Beirut: Dar
al-Fikr ).
We can see that these ulama were being very stern and the words they used
were even more burning and harsh in objecting the specific ibadah not originated
from the Prophet s.a.w. They all had the same intention that was to preserve the
genuineness of this religion of revelation to inhibit meddling by humankind.
Allah says (translated as): “What! Have they partners (in godhead), who have
established for them some religion without the permission of Allah?” (Surah
al-Syura: verse 21)
The Prophet s.a.w said, “He who innovates things in our affairs for which
there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.”
(Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
I am so fascinated by the dialogue that occurred between al-Imam Malik and a
person who aspired to perform a deed that he deemed are more commendable than
the deed of the Prophet s.a.w. A man approached al-Imam Malik and said, “O Abu
‘Abd Allah (appellation of al-Imam Malik), which place shall I start my ihram
from?” He answered, “From Zu Hulaifah, the same place that Allah’s Messenger
s.a.w started his ihram from.”
That man then said, “I would like to start my ihram from the Prophet’s
Mosque.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Do not do that.” That man said, “I would like
to start my ihram from the Prophet’s grave.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Do not do
that. I am afraid that fitna (the corruption of religion) will befall you.”
The man asked, “What is the fitna? It is just a distance I am planning to
add.” Al-Imam Malik answered, “Is there a bigger fitna than your perception of
thinking that you have put forward one good thing in an area where Allah’s
Messenger s.a.w had cut down? Verily, I have heard the saying of Allah
(translated as): “Then let those beware who withstand the Messenger’s order,
lest some trial befall them, or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.” (Surah
al-Nur: verse 63)” (Al-Syatibi, Al-I’tisam, pg. 102 Beirut: Dar al-Kitab
al-‘Arabi)
Although the man wanted to start his ihram from a venerable place that was
the Prophet’s mosque (s.a.w) or his grave but al-Imam Malik bin Anas objected to
it because it was an ibadah never performed by the Prophet s.a.w. He stated that
it was fitna because it seemed like the man deemed himself as having the chance
to perform a better ibadah than the Prophet s.a.w.
It is clear that a good intention is not enough if the corresponding action
is not based on the right guidance. In matters of muamalah or life’s routine,
the scope provided by the religion is very vast. It is not as narrow as matters
in specific ibadah involving salaat, fasting, dua (recitations of prayer) and
the likes of it. Nevertheless, as we keep ourselves occupied with the worldly
affairs, let us not perform noble deeds in ways that contradict the principles
of Islam.
For instance, the intention of collecting donation for the orphans is
commendable. However, if the method includes organizing the kind of concert that
promotes negative elements to the youth then it is no longer considered as
commendable. This is because the end does not justify the means.
That is why I objected the ceremony of meditation and salutations performed
to the National Monument. That ceremony cannot be performed by a Muslim who
holds fast to the akidah of genuine tauhid (belief). His intention was probably
good that was to commemorate our national heroes but that was not the right way
to do it. That ceremony contained a clear element of idolatry. It contradicted
the principles of Islamic belief that is uncontaminated from elements of shirk
(joining others in worship with Allah).
How else can we regard a ceremony that involves meditation, offering salute
and presenting garlands to a statute if not similar to idolatry? Is this kind of
ceremony not performed by idol worshippers? If the person performing the
ceremony stated that he did not have any conviction or intention that the
monument could give any benefit or harm but rather, it was only an empty
ceremony then it means that he had performed a worthless and stupid task. At the
same time, it is still regarded as haram by syarak since it resembles the
religious ceremony of idol worshippers.
If that person thought that the ceremony could bring forth peace and
tranquility to the country or bliss to the soul of those heroes then that
conviction and deed carries a clear element of shirk. Have we forgotten about
the criticism Prophet Ibrahim a.s gave to his people? Allah says (translated
as): “We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were
We acquainted with him. Behold! He said to his father and his people, “What are
these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?” They said, “We found
our fathers worshipping them.” He said, “Indeed ye have been in manifest error -
ye and your fathers.”” (Surah al-Anbiya: verse 51-54)
Fatwa was issued at state and national level to rule this deed as haram.
Unfortunately, it has been officially resurrected and the Muslim community just
keeps mum about it. I am taking the risk to remind all of the Muslims of this
matter specifically the new generation whose akidah is starting to slacken.
Do not let them to think that this action is acceptable in embracing the
religion just because they see it is being done at higher level. Tomorrow they
will probably give their salute or present a garland or fruits to any statue or
monument or mound that they regard as holy. Do not anyone who bears religious
title try to justify that action. It is hoped that those flatterers or
‘remunerated advisors’ will not cause a downfall.
Have we forgotten about the name of the idols revered by the people of
Prophet Nuh a.s. Allah says (translated as): “And They have said (to each
other), ‘Abandon not your gods: abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa’, neither Yaguth
nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr’ They have already misled many; and grant Thou no increase
to the wrong- doers but in straying (from their mark).” (Surah Nuh: verse
23-24)
In a hadith reported by al-Bukhari, Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that the name Wadd,
Suwaa, Yaghuth, Ya’uuq and Nasr formerly belonged to some pious men of the
people of Noah, and when they died Satan inspired their people to prepare and
place idols at the places where they used to sit, and to call those idols by
their names. The people did so, but the idols were not worshipped till those
people (who initiated them) had died and the origin of the idols had become
obscure, whereupon people began worshipping them. (Reported by al-Bukhari)
That is how some matters that start with a good intention can lead to a
wicked outcome because there is no analysis done to foresee the outcome of a
specific action. Politicians are fond of things that produce instantaneous
result for their political gains. Sometimes they even do not have the time to
look up the sky and think about the long term effect of their actions.
The Prophet s.a.w gave us this reminder, “He who called (people) to
righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those
who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he
who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin,
like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any
respect.” (Reported by Muslim)
The execution of a good intention must be done in a righteous manner. This is
applicable to the various political issues arising these days. The enthusiasm to
change the political landscape must be realized with a good intention and using
a virtuous method. Many claim that they have good intentions but we do not know
what lies deep in their hearts. We can only see their actions.
Sometimes actions translate the intention buried deep within. Just like the
concert in which there was an incident of dropping the pants. Its objective was
allegedly noble but we know for sure that the method used was evil and thus, it
is valued with a bad evaluation. Again, we are not followers of Robin Hood who
legalize all actions that clearly contradict ethical codes only because of
slogans or alleged righteous intention.
