Essentials In Islam

There are elements that are absolutely essential for life to continue unhindered. Disruption or absence
of these elements may give rise to harm and makes things difficult, causing damage to life. The scholars
have classified these essentials or necessities in to five basic element as mentioned below:

1. Faith/Religion (Deen)
2. Life (Nafs)
3. Intellect (Aql)
4. Wealth (Maal)
5. Offspring/Lineage (Nasl)

As mentioned in the Ibn Ashur Treatise on Maqasid Al-Shariah, “Al-Ghazali in his book al-Mustasfa, Ibn
al-Hajib, al-Qarafi, and al-Shatibi described the daruri category as consisting of the preservation and
safeguarding (hifz) of religion (din), life (nufus), intellect (uqul), property (amwal), and lineage (ansab).”
(Ibn Ashur-118)

Allah SWT, mentions of these Dharuriyat in Suran Al An’am as, “Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord
has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good
treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not
approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which
Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use
reason. And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches
maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that
within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant
of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.” (6:151,152)

Even looking at them logically, one can arrive to the conclusion that these five necessities are not
exclusive to the religion of Islam but apply universally. No society or community can survive if they lack
any of these essentials. Hence, protecting them is necessary, and removing any harm from them in order
for the community to flourish is vital for human welfare.

The below Hadith also points to the importance to these essentials:

“It was narrated that Sa'eed bin Zaid said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever is killed
protecting his wealth, he is a martyr. Whoever is killed protecting his family, he is a martyr. Whoever is
killed protecting his religion, he is a martyr. Whoever is killed protecting himself, he is a martyr.'" (Sunan
an-Nasai 4095 Book 37, Hadith 130)

1. Faith/Religion

Among the essential and ultimate benefits that Allah SWT bestowed upon mankind is the religion. This is
why He created humans, and sent prophets to guide them. Protection of religion is also the most
important necessity because it is the base for everything else. As Allah SWT says in Surah Dhariyat:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56)
And in Surah An-Nahl: “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah
and avoid Taghut."And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon
whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of
the deniers.” (16:36)

Hence, Allah SWT instructed through his books and messengers for the protection of His religion, and
avoid actions that harm the religion, like, worshipping false gods, shirk, and committing major sins.

Protection of the religion is achieved through spreading the word of Allah SWT, enforcing and abiding by
His laws and guidance, strive in the way of Allah, promoting the good, and forbidding the evil.

As Allah SWT mentioned in Surah Ali’ Imran: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for
mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the
Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of
them are defiantly disobedient.” (3:110)

And in Surah Al Baqarah: “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed.
Allah does not like transgressors.” (2:190)

In Sunan Ibn Majah, “It was narrated that Safwan bin ‘Assil said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) sent us
in a military detachment and said: ‘Go in the Name of Allah, and in the cause of Allah. Fight those who
disbelieve in Allah. Do not mutilate, do not be treacherous, do not steal from the spoils of war, and do
not kill children.’” (Vol 4, Book 24, Hadith 2857)

2. Life

All life is created by Allah (SWT) and He has ordained us to respect the sanctity of life and protect it. In
this regard he has forbidden the killing of others, and the taking of one’s own life.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah An Nisa: “But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell,
wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has
prepared for him a great punishment.” (4:93)

And the Hadith in Sunan an Nasai: “It was narrated from Abu Musa that: The Prophet [SAW] said: "If two
Muslims confront each other with swords, and one kills the other, they will both be in Hell." It was said:
"O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what about the one who is killed?" He said:
"He wanted to kill his companion." (Book 37, Hadith 153)

Protection of life is elevated to a level where Allah (SWT) has provided flexibility in transgressing some
of his laws in order to preserve it.

As mentioned in Surah Al Baqarah: “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of
swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity],
neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and
Merciful.” (2:173)

However, he has permitted the taking of life in certain instances as in the form of punishment for those
who transgress the boundaries of Allah’s (SWT) law.
For example, in case of legal retribution Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al Baqarah: “O you who have
believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for
the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there
should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your
Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.” (2:178)

We can understand by the following Hadith how important it is to protect life.

“Narrated `Abdullah: The Prophet (SAW) said, "The first cases to be decided among the people (on the
Day of Resurrection) will be those of blood-shed." (Sahih Al Bukhari, Book 87, Hadith 4)

3. The Intellect (Aql)

The intellect is a huge blessing from Allah (SWT). It helps us make the distinction between right and
wrong, makes us think logically and make beneficial choices that improves quality of life and protects us
from harm. It is what has elevated humans over other creations of Allah (SWT), He has called on the
humans to think and ponder in many places in the Quran, for example, in Surah Baqarah, Allah (SWT)
mentions, “He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been
given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.” (2:269)

It is also for this reason that Allah (SWT) has forbidden elements that hinder, or cause harm to the
intellect. As He mentions in Surah Maaidah, “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling,
[sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work
of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” (5:90)

As explained more in the following hadith:

“Ibn 'Umar reported that Umar delivered a sermon on the pulpit of Allah's Messenger (SAW) and he
praised Allah and lauded Him and then said: Now coming to the point. Behold I when the command
pertaining to the prohibition of wine was revealed, it was prepared from five things: from wheat, barley,
date, grape, honey; and wine is that which clouds the intellect;…….” (Sahih Muslim, Book 56, Hadith 36)

4. Lineage

Protecting and preserving the lineage for the propagation of human race and the religion of Islam is
stressed in the religion and clear through several rulings, for example, in Surah An Nur, Allah (SWT) says,
“And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If
they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and
Knowing.” (24:32)

This does not mean that humans should marry only for the sake recreation and having children. It is
important to protect the family unit so evils like fornication, and adultery does not destroy the
community. Marriage helps lower the gaze and protect the privates. It is also an important step to taking
responsibility of another and educating the children to develop them in to good believers to spread the
word of Allah (SWT)
To protect the sanctity of lineage Allah (SWT) has ruled to stay away from acts that can harm it as He
mentions in Surah Al Israa, “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an
immorality and is evil as a way.” (17:32)

Further evidenced in the Hadith in Muslim, “Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge
in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person's lineage, and wailing over the dead."” (Book 18, Hadith
68)

5. Wealth

Wealth is an important part of the worldly life. Without wealth, an individual cannot support himself
and his family. Wealth can help an individual and also allow him to spend his wealth in the way of Allah
(SWT) to spread His religion and assist Muslims.

In Jami at Tirmidhi, it is mentioned, “Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: that the Prophet ( SAW) said:
"Whoever is killed over his wealth, then he is martyr."” ( Book 16, Hadith 35)

Also, in Surah Al Hadid, “Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made
you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.”(57:7)

Good wealth allows for a good life and benefits for the community in general. But not for those who
hoard their wealth in greed, it is but a trial from Allah (SWT) which is why He had ordered to purify it
through Sadqa, and Zakat, and spend for the benefit and propagation of the religion of Allah (SWT).

To protect the wealth the Quran warns about usury, deception, and misappropriation of wealth.

As mentioned on Surah Al Baqarah, “Allah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allah
does not like every sinning disbeliever.” (2:276)

And in Surah At Tawbah, “O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour
the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and
silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment.” (9:36)

May Allah (SWT) protect and guide us in relation to our necessities.

Works Cited:

Ibn ‘Ashur, Muhammad Al-Tahir. 2006. Treatise on Maqasid al-Shari’ah. London. Internation Institute of
Islamic Thought.

www.Quran.com (For Ayah Translations. Sahih International Translation)

www.sunnah.com (Hadith Translations)