the laws concerned with the actions of man and regulating...

the laws concerned with the actions of man and regulating them directly are divided into the following five categories: Obligatory ( al-Wujub ): This refers to those laws of the Shari’ah which direct towards the things with which they are connected to the degree of necessity, e.g. the obligation of prayer and the obligation on the leader of supporting the needy.

Recommendatory ( al-Istihbab ): This refers to those laws of the Shari’ah that direct towards the things with which they are connected to a degree below that of necessity. Thus these are always accompanied by the permission of the Almighty Law-giver to act contrary to it, e.g. the recommendation of Salatul-Layl, (midnight prayers). Prohibitory ( al-Hurmah ): This refers to those laws of the Shari’ah that prevent the things with which they are connected to the degree of necessity e.g.

the prohibition of giving and taking interest ( Riba ), the prohibition of adultery and fornication and the prohibition of selling arms to the enemies of Islam etc. Abominable ( al-Karahah ): This refers to those laws of the Shari’ah that prevent the things with which they are connected to a degree less than that of necessity.

Hence abomination in the field of prevention is like recommendation in the field of direction, just as prohibition in the field of prevention is like obligation in the field of inducement. for example, breaking a promise is an abominable act. Permissible ( al-lbahah ): This refers to the Law- giver's leaving the field open for the Mukallafin (the legally responsible persons) to do or not to do a permissible act.

Accordingly the Mukallaf enjoys freedom in permissible actions; if he wishes he can do it and if he wishes he can refrain from doing it.…