ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Guiding the Youth of the New Generation Two Types of Responsibilities In the speech that I had given in this same venue under the topic of “Amr bil Ma ʿ ruf wa Nahi ʿ Anil Munkar” (commanding to that which is right and forbidding from that which is evil), I alluded to a point which I will repeat here and that is: our religious responsibilities are of two types - some responsibilities are related to our performance of a task which takes shape in one particular form and shape.

All of the particular aspects of the specified task and its individual facets have been explained by the religion of Islam and we have been told that we must perform a particular act in its specified form adhering to the specific conditions. Of course, that particular action has been ordered to be performed (by Allah (s.w.t.)) and there is a reason for it, however we are not responsible for the outcome or the result of the action.

These sorts of actions are referred to as Ta ʿ abudiyat (issues that have been legislated which we must follow as acts of worship). It is these sorts of actions which we can also refer to as those which are the “ Responsibility of the Form and Shape of the Actions” .

For example, the Salat is an act which has a specified introductory act related to it (Wudhu, Tayammum, Ghusl) and conditions (relating to it); it has certain particular provisions and parts to it; there are also specified things which must not be performed and certain things which invalidate the prayers. We have been commanded to perform the Salat regardless of the circumstances, and in its particular shape and form it is the purest form of obeying the orders of Allah (s.w.t.).

If we perform the act in the correct and complete way as it has been shown to us and how we have been ordered to perform it, then naturally the outcome (distancing ourselves from evil and wickedness) will follow.