ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islam Branches of Religion Now allow me to give here a short list of some of the `Branches of Religion.' These are called `ibadaat or `Worship of God.' According to Islam even alms-giving is an act of worship. However, the most important branches of religion are ten in number: First of them is ` salat, ' that is, the prayers five times a day and special prayer on Fridays and `id (Islamic festivals) days and some other occasions.

Second is ` sawm ,' that is, fasting during Ramadan. Thirdis ` hajj ,' that is a special pilgrimage to Mecca once in life-time. Fourth is ' zakat,' that is giving for the pleasure of Allah a portion of gold, silver, cattle and farm produce. Fifth is ` khums, ' that is giving 20% of the net income of the year after deducting the lawful expenses of the year. Sixth is jihad ,' that is the holy war. This topic requires some explanation.

Islam does not like to exterminate wrong-doers, it wants to remove the wrong. Evil deeds are like disease. They need treatment and every doctor wants to cure the ailments with medicines as far as possible. But sometimes the ailment reaches a stage where no medicine can do any good; he feels that surgical operation is necessary if the life of the patient is to be saved. Then he decides, not happily but reluctantly, to amputate one or more limbs of the patient.

It may cause hardest pain for the time being; but it is not torture, it is mercy. Likewise, suppose that this humanity is a compact body, some of its parts become infected with spiritual disease and every medicine of sympathetic persuasion and rational pleading has failed.

And there is a danger that their infection is causing and inflicting hardships upon other parts, and the spiritual doctor, I mean the Prophet or Imam who is guided by Allah, is confident that now the surgical operation is essential to save other parts of mankind from trouble. Then, and only then, he will order a Holy-War; and then also it will be limited to that part which is most necessary to remove.

But even if you feel that there is necessity of a surgical operation you will never entrust this most dangerous task to an unauthorized person. It will be a very foolish and irresponsible action. You can never be satisfied that the operation is essential unless a qualified doctor tells you so.