Islamic Legal Classifications (Ahkam al-Khamsa)

Islamic jurisprudence classifies human actions into five main categories, known as Ahkam al-Khamsa (The Five Rulings). This flowchart helps understand these classifications and their implications.

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Is the action Commanded by Allah?

→ Yes

Is it absolutely required?

→ Yes

Fard / Wajib (فرض / واجب) - Obligatory / Compulsory

  • Meaning: An action that is absolutely required and commanded by Allah.
  • Consequence of Doing: Rewarded.
  • Consequence of Omitting: Punishable (sinful).
  • Examples: The five daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, paying Zakat (charity), performing Hajj (pilgrimage) if able.

→ No

Mustahabb / Mandub / Sunnah (مستحب / مندوب / سنة) - Recommended / Desirable

  • Meaning: An action that is highly encouraged and rewarded if done, but there is no sin if it's omitted. It brings you closer to Allah.
  • Consequence of Doing: Rewarded.
  • Consequence of Omitting: No sin, but a missed opportunity for reward.
  • Examples: Praying Sunnah prayers (voluntary prayers), giving Sadaqa (voluntary charity), visiting the sick, greeting others with Salam.

→ No

Is the action Forbidden by Allah?

→ Yes

Haram (حرام) - Forbidden / Unlawful

  • Meaning: An action that is strictly prohibited by Allah.
  • Consequence of Doing: Punishable (sinful).
  • Consequence of Omitting: Rewarded (for abstaining out of obedience).
  • Examples: Drinking alcohol, consuming pork, committing adultery, stealing, lying (about religious matters), backbiting, murder.

→ No

Is the action Disliked / Disapproved?

→ Yes

Makruh (مكروه) - Disliked / Disapproved

  • Meaning: An action that is disliked or disapproved of. It's better to avoid it, but it is not strictly forbidden.
  • Consequence of Doing: Not sinful, but blameworthy; disliked by Allah.
  • Consequence of Omitting: Rewarded (for abstaining out of obedience).
  • Types:
    • Makruh Tahrimi (مكروه تحریمی): Closer to Haram, strongly disliked, sometimes based on speculative evidence of prohibition. Committing it is more blameworthy. (Primarily a Hanafi school classification)
    • Makruh Tanzihi (مكروه تنزیهی): Closer to Mubah, mildly disliked, avoiding it is better but no real blame for doing it. (Common across all schools)
  • Examples: Wasting water during ablution, talking unnecessarily during Adhan, sleeping on one's stomach (often cited as Makruh Tanzihi), men wearing silk or gold (Makruh Tahrimi in Hanafi, Haram in other schools).

→ No

Mubah (مباح) - Permissible / Neutral

  • Meaning: An action that is neither commanded nor forbidden. There is no reward for doing it, nor punishment for omitting it. It's simply allowed.
  • Consequence of Doing: No reward.
  • Consequence of Omitting: No sin.
  • Examples: Eating, drinking, sleeping, walking (general everyday activities that have no specific religious command or prohibition attached).

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