Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) says that if a person visualizes...

Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) says that if a person visualizes about the Greatness of Allah during his Salat, he will remain in prostration the rest of his life. The Second Ray of Light: Differences In Jurisprudence And Censure Of Hypocricy The superior Prophets (as) were all endowed with their own Shariah (Jurisprudence) that was relevant to their times. The Prophet of Islam (S) too brought with him the perfect Shariah .

If there was juridical change with each Prophet (S), it doesn’t mean that the earlier laws were defective in any manner. Since the followers of Prophet Musa (as) were very mischievous, stringent punishments were prescribed to reform them. It was the rule, for example, that if someone got some urine splashed on his body, the skin of that part was peeled off. For murder, there was no other punishment than death. The people of Prophet ‘Isa (as) were mild natured. They were not required to do Jehad.

Capital punishment was not practiced. Celibacy and living like hermits was in vogue. The people of our Prophet (S) were moderates. The Shariah, therefore, is middle of the road. For the crime of murder, Qasas (life-for-life) and Deet (payment of blood money) are both permitted. In cases of bodily harm, the right to pardon has been given to the sufferer or his successors in the event of his death.

Innovation Explained Interpreting or changing the Shariah using ones inept and unbefitting intellect is apostasy and heresy. Getting misled by Satan and praying with ones own intuition and considering this as nearness to Allah is gross ignorance ( Jehalat). Our intellects are a combination of good, bad and indifferent. The Prophets (as), on the other hand, have been endowed with superior intellects and the laws enunciated by them have Allah’s seal of approval.

Any deviation from them is hypocrisy and heresy. For example: a pious Christian celibate thinks that if he died inflicting hardship on himself in seclusion, he would earn nearness to God! This is sheer misguided ignorance. Bidaa (innovation) means declaring things taboo that are termed good by Allah and declaring things good that are taboo according to the dictates of the Almighty. For example, Allah has allowed ( Mustaheb) offering of prayers (optional) without restriction of timing.

But if someone thinks that he should offer prayer exactly at the time of sunset thinking that Allah has strictly prescribed that timing is sheer innovation and is haram.