- Ahkam: It is a set of rules and guidelines that a Muslim must act within. Like the branches of religion (prayer, fasting, zakat, khums, hajj, jihad, enjoining the good, forbidding the evil, Tawalli, Tabarri).
The Importance of learning the Islamic Ahkam (Rules )
Definition of Ahkam (Islamic Rules):
“Ahkam” is an Arabic word, the plural form of “Hukm” and it is used in the meaning of command, order and Rules. In Islamic jurisprudence, Ahakam is all the practical orders and branches of Islam in all its dimensions and includes all religious, political, economic, family and judicial orders.
One of the most important obligations of the religion of Islam, which is of particular importance, is learning the rules of the religion. which the correct understanding of its issues and acting according to it guarantee human happiness. A person who chooses Islam as his religion must fully accept its plans in all areas of his life. S/he must regulate his/her behavior and performance in accordance with the rules of the religion. It needs to be recognized in order to be able to apply it in his/her life. Learning the rulings according to the Qur'an, Sunnah, and reason has a special necessity and importance, which we will briefly state:
1- Learning Ahkam in the Qur'an:
“And it does not beseem the believers that they should go forth all together; why should not then a company from every party from among them go forth that they may apply themselves to obtain understanding in religion, and that they may warn their people when they come back to them that they may be cautious?”[1]
2- Learning Ahkam in the Sunnah:
Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
A person who performs his duties without awareness is like a person who goes astray and the faster he goes, the farther he gets from his destination.[2]
Messenger of Allah (PBUH):
Shame on every Muslim who does not set aside one day a week to understand his/her religion and ask about his/her religion.[3]
[1] Quran [9–122] وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنْفِرُوا كَافَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِنْ كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ
[2] Bihar, V.1, P. 206/ Al-Kafi, V. 1, P. 43 : اَلْعَامِلُ عَلَى غَيْرِ بَصِيرَةٍ كَالسَّائِرِ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلطَّرِيقِ لاَ يَزِيدُهُ سُرْعَةُ اَلسَّيْرِ إِلاَّ بُعْداً
[3] Bihar, V. 1, P. 176 : أُفٍّ لِکُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ لایَجْعَلُ فِی کُلِ جُمْعَةٍ یَوْماً یَتَفَقَّهُ فِیهِ أَمْرَ دِینِهِ وَیَسْأَلُ عَنْ دِینِهِ