Most Muslims are born to two Muslim parents,
essentially becoming Muslims by name, without there being any actual faith on
their part. Then, when they reach puberty, from them are those that are blessed
with actual faith, performing their obligations. Likewise, from them are those
who perform these acts out of ingrained habit, and just to go along with his
relatives, the people of the land in which he lives, etc.
For
example, he gives Zakah simply because it is a habitual tradition that the
ruler collects tax, and not because he realizes either the generality or
specifics of the obligation to pay it. So, in his eyes, there is no difference
between the innovated tax and the legislated Zakah. Such is the case with the inhabitant
of Makkah who goes out to ‘Arafat every year simply because this is the way it
is done, without realizing the generality or specifics of this being an act of
worship of Allah.
So,
the acts of worship performed by such people is invalid, without a
doubt. In fact, the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as the consensus of
the Ummah, are clear in the ruling that these actions do not fulfill the
obligation placed upon their doer…
So,
the Islam of most people is by name, only. Rather, it (faith) only enters into
their hearts during the course of the matter (i.e., later in their lives), if
it enters at all. So, were this intention not to be obligatory upon them, they
would not at all attempt to have it, and their hearts would be empty of it, and
they would essentially be hypocrites, carrying out their actions out of habit
and imitation, as is the case with many people.
['Majmu'
al-Fatawa'; 26/32]
No comments:
Post a Comment