3C-the 5 categories of action

• The five categories


  • Fard (compulsory)
  • Mustahab (neither encouraged nor discouraged, recommended but not essential)
  • Halal (blessed, allowed)
  • Makruh (disliked, offensive)
  • Haram (forbidden)
• The five categories


  Derived from scholarly interpretation of the sources of shari'a and a guide for Muslims to lead their lives based on the revealed knowledge of God in the Qur'an and the examples of Muhammad
• The five categories


  • Provide a guidance for Muslims to follow the 'straight path' and a framework to base their lives around when faced with moral dilemmas and choices
• Examples of the five categories

  • Daily salah prayer, said 5 times a day, is fard (compulsory)
  • Eating meat slaughtered under the name of God is halal (blessed, allowed)
  • Eating pork is considered haram (forbidden)
  • Drinking alcohol is considered haram (forbidden)
• Muslims put a great deal of importance on these categories in their daily lives
• Much time and effort are spent looking at the ingredients of foods for example
• A Muslim might not take a job if the environment was considered disapproved or even haram, such as it involved selling alcohol
• Circumstances can change categories

  Because they are based on principles such as doing what is best to avoid harm and promote health
• A Muslim might be allowed to use alcohol in a medicine, even though it is normally considered forbidden
• The categories are derived in shari'a and often were decided in detail through the consensus of scholars (ijma)
• Views on following the five categories

  • Some Muslims believe it is important to follow this and this gives guidance based on the true sources of Islam, interpreted by people who know best
  • Others make their own interpretations preferring to rely on their own conscience and what they feel is best for them given their situation
• Various schools of shari'a grew up over the years meaning there is no single interpretation of the five categories
• There are also differences according to sect, between sunni and shi'a scholars who may interpret things with their own emphasis
• "An action is only as good, bad, sacred, or profane as the intention which engenders it and the attitude which underpins it" - Turner