The Rulings of Sacred Law (Ḥanafī)
People who are morally responsible (mukallif) take one of the following rulings in the Ḥanafī maddhab:
1. The Obligatory (farḍ) is a firm command established by a decisively established text (dalīl qad'i) whose meaning is decisive and not open to the possibility of interpretation. An example of this type would be the five daily prayers.
One is bound to believe in and act on the obligatory. The one who denies the binding nature of an obligatory act becomes an unbeliever if it is established through a clear and definitive text (dalīl qati'), and the one who leaves it is sinful.
If an obligatory element of an action is omitted, that action remains unfulfilled. Thus, if one omits an obligatory act of the prayer (such as a condition or integral), the prayer is invalid and unperformed.
2. The Necessary (wājib) is a firm command supported by a text that allows for the possibility of interpretation (dalīl dhanni). An example of this type would be the Witr prayer. Denying something necessary is corruption (fisq), not disbelief. Leaving it is sinful.
If an obligatory element of an action is omitted, that action remains unfulfilled. Thus, if one omits an obligatory act of the prayer (such as a condition or integral), the prayer is invalid and unperformed.
If omitted absentmindedly, forgetfulness prostrations are necessary (wājib) at the end of the prayer. If these too were left out, then it is necessary (wājib) upon one to repeat one’s prayer.
3. The Emphasized Sunnah (sunnah mu’akkada) is that which the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions did most of the time and was not of worldly habits. An example of this type would be the congregational prayer.
Leaving an emphasized sunnah is blameworthy but not sinful. Habitually leaving such a sunnah, however, is sinful, because it entails “turning away” from the guidance of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, whom we have been commanded to follow.
4. The Recommended (mustaḥabb) is that which the Prophet ﷺ did sometimes, or was of his worldly habits. An example of this type would be donating charity to the poor. Performing the recommended is rewarded, but leaving it is not sinful or blameworthy.
5. The Permissible (mubāh) in itself is neither rewarded nor punished. Such acts are rewarded, however, if accompanied by a good intention.
6. The Somewhat Disliked (makrūh tanzīhan) is that which we have been commanded to leave, even though it is not sinful. The one who leaves it is rewarded, and the one who does it acted suboptimally, though not deserving of punishment.
7. The Prohibitively Disliked (makrūh taḥrīman) is that which we have been firmly commanded to leave through a text open to the possibility of interpretation. Denying such a command is misguidance but not disbelief. Performing such an action is sinful.
8. The Forbidden (ḥarām) is that which we have been firmly commanded to leave, through a decisively established text. Someone who commits an forbidden act is deserving of punishment, while one who refrains from it out of obedience to Allah is rewarded.
Summary
- The obligatory and necessary must be performed.
- The prohibitively disliked and forbidden must be left.
- It is strongly encouraged to perform the emphasized sunnas, and blameworthy to leave them without excuse.
- The recommended should be performed, and the somewhat disliked should be left.
- The permitted should be conjoined with good intentions, to be worthy of reward, and wastefulness should be avoided.
The way of love and slavehood entails doing everything one’s Lord has commanded, whether He commanded it firmly or lightly, and avoiding everything one’s Lord interdicted, whether firmly or lightly. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, however, that the best way is to operationalize this in a gradual and steady manner. This gradual manner means that one takes on supererogatory actions in a manner that is sustainable and that does not overwhelm him.
Source: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Absolute Essentials of Islam - Faith, Prayer, & the Path of Salvation According to the Ḥanafī School
