Our Ummah's Need for "Fiqh of Primary Issues": Even Among the Religious | Part 2

Today, the mistake in determining primary issues is not only observed among ordinary Muslims or those who have gone astray. Even our religious people make the same mistakes due to the lack of correct jurisprudential criteria and knowledge.

Undoubtedly, knowledge is the factor that distinguishes the good from the bad, just as it distinguishes the good from the bad. In the eyes of the Sharia, the criterion that determines the value of any action is knowledge.

During our observations, we see many people who are deprived of the light of knowledge and correct jurisprudence. In this way, they erase the boundaries and boundaries between actions, and as a result, they become indistinguishable from each other. Or they come up with rulings that contradict the instructions of the Sharia, paving the way for extremism. In this way, religion is lost among the ignorant and the careless.

That is why we see them (despite their sincerity) neglecting the better deeds and engaging in the less virtuous deeds. A deed may be of great virtue at one time and of no virtue at another. But these people, due to their ignorance, cannot distinguish between these two situations.

I have seen people with beautiful personalities who finance the construction of a mosque in a country full of mosques. They allocate millions of dollars for this work. But if you suggest that the same amount of money or part of it be spent on spreading Islam, fighting atheism, or other works required by Sharia, you will not get the same result from them. You will not even get an answer from them on this matter. Because they believe in building walls, not in building personalities.

During the Hajj season, I see many wealthy Muslims who are eager to perform Hajj every year. Many also perform Umrah. Due to their generosity, they do not spare money in this regard. In fact, both their Hajj and Umrah are not obligatory, but voluntary. But if you suggest that these same people direct their annual expenses to Palestine, Bangladesh, and other countries to fight against the oppressors, or to open a center for da'wah, or to buy some equipment for specialists, or to publish useful religious books, they turn a blind eye.

However, Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran that fighting against oppression is better than performing Hajj: “Are you making the giving of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and strive in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. Those who believe and emigrate and strive with their wealth and their lives in the way of Allah are the highest in rank in the sight of Allah. Those are the successful. Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, and His approval, and Gardens of Bliss .” (Surah At-Tawbah, verses 19-21)

Moreover, the Hajj and Umrah that these people perform are optional, voluntary acts. However, opposing religion and hindering the work of its internal and external supporters is the duty of our century and our obligation today.

If a Muslim has the right understanding and true faith and knows the jurisprudence of primary matters, then he will feel a greater sense of happiness and his spirit will be stronger. For every expense he could have spent on secondary matters, he will support some Islamic initiative, either by sponsoring orphans, feeding the hungry, building houses for the homeless, or treating the sick. Or, if not, he will educate the ignorant and provide employment for the unemployed.

Sheikh Yusuf Qarzawi, “Fiqh of Primary Issues”   about "book