Post by Islamic Revival on Sept 30, 2005 4:45:04 GMT -5
"Let there arise from amongst you a group calling to the Goodness (al-Khayr) and enjoining what is good (al-Ma?ruf) and forbidding what is evil (al-Munkar); and those are the ones who will attain success" [3: 104].
It is a known fact among the Usuli scholars and the fuqaha that an order does not necessarily carry an obligation but it merely carries a request, i.e. to perform an action. In order for this request to qualify as an obligation, it would require a divine indication (Qareena), otherwise it would remain a mere request.
This is because the Arabic language by its nature is a language of commands and requests i.e. do or do not do. There are many Shariah texts that have come in the imperative form either unequivocally, authentically or metaphorically.
For example: Allah (swt) says: "And when you are clear of the sacred precincts and of the pilgrim, do hunt." [ 5:2] Allah (SWT) says: "Do Eat and drink" [ 2:187] And, Allah (SWT) says: "And once the prayer has been performed, do disperse." [62:10]
Most verses in the Quran like these come in the imperative form. In addition to this, the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said: "We have been ordered to perfect our wudu." [Abu Dawoud]
All these and many other divine texts contain a request to perform certain actions, but hunting is not obligatory simply because the request comes in the imperative form. Furthermore, 'eating', 'drinking' or 'dispersing' are not obligatory. Moreover 'perfecting the wulu' is not obligatory, despite the fact that the phrases of "My Lord has ordered me" and "We have been ordered" are clearly stated. These will remain as requests until divine indications raise the level of the request to recommended or obligatory. If the indication from the text is indecisive, then the request to do would be indecisive and the action will be recommended, e.g. Tasbeeh after each prayer.
When the indication from the text is decisive, the request to do will be decisive and the action will be obligatory, e.g. fasting in the month of Ramadhan. If there is no divine indication (Qareena) to do then the request will be permissible as in the case when Allah (swt) says, "do hunt".
However, the Ayah [3:104] states an obligation upon Muslims (wherever they are) of forming group(s) or movement(s) whenever it is Islamically required in order to fulfil a collective duty and it also describes the qualities of these group(s) and their function.
Let us reflect upon Allah (swt) saying: "Let there rise from among you group(s)..." [3:104] the verse carries an order from Allah (swt). How do we know whether this order is an obligation?
The term 'wal-takun' means 'And let there arise'. In fact the first letter in this word "wa" signifies a command.In this particular instance the 'wa' is a conjunction (also Qareena) because it connects this particular verse with the previous verse, which says: "O' believers..... And do hold fast altogether by the rope of Allah and do not be divided...." [3:103]
The letter 'wa' gives the proceeding order the same hukm (rule), value or weight as that which preceded it(ayah 3:103).And since the verse addressing groups follows the verse(ayah 3:104) commanding us to be unified, it indicates that to raise a group from the Ummah is obligatory because the call for unity is obligatory.
