Makruh & other classifications: what's the point?

[Abdul-Hadi]

I decided to make a separate thread going on the last post in the "earrings for men" topic, because this is something I don't understand.

I'm not trying to be offensive, but I don't see the logic in having five different classifications for an act, particularly Mustahabb, Mubah, & Makruh (recommended, neutral, detestable,). Why not just say that these acts are either required, forbidden, or allowed?

Can someone point me in the direction of an explanation for this or better yet, explain it to me themselves?

Edited June 8, 2020 by Abdul-Hadi
wrong ordering

[Zaydism]

@Mahdavist I am sure our brother will provide a satisfying answer to your great question

[Hameedeh]

1 hour ago, Abdul-Hadi said:

Can someone point me in the direction of an explanation for this or better yet, explain it to me themselves?

See here:

Quote

The practical laws of Islam that are related to the actions that one must perform and those that must be avoided, and are the responsibility of everyone to learn, are called the Ahkam (rules).

Every action that a person performs has a specific ruling in Islam. The various actions that we perform, which are related to our responsibility (to Allah) are divided into five categories: Wajib, Haram, Mustahab, Makruh, and Mubah.

Wajib: Those actions that must be performed, and turning away from them, incur Allah’s punishment - for example Salat, and Sawm.

Haram: Those actions which must be avoided, and performing them incur punishment from Allah, like lying and oppression.

Mustahab: These are actions which are recommended to be performed and earn the person a reward, but not performing such actions do not incur punishment from Allah - for example saying Salam and giving Sadaqa.

Makruh: Those actions which are better if not performed, and if avoided, earn a reward, but if performed, do not accompany a punishment - for example, sleeping in a Masjid, and the praising of goods that a person sells (otherwise known as advertising).

Mubah: Those actions whose performance or turning away from are equal; meaning one neither gets a reward, nor punishment - for example walking or sitting.

https://www.al-islam.org/simplified-islamic-laws-young-adults-lutfullah-safi-golpaygani/introduction

[Abdul-Hadi]

Thank you Sister Hameedeh. That clarifies it pretty well and now I understand.

[layman]

2 hours ago, Abdul-Hadi said:

I decided to make a separate thread going on the last post in the "earrings for men" topic, because this is something I don't understand.

I'm not trying to be offensive, but I don't see the logic in having five different classifications for an act, particularly Mustahabb, Mubah, & Makruh (recommended, neutral, detestable,). Why not just say that these acts are either required, forbidden, or allowed?

Can someone point me in the direction of an explanation for this or better yet, explain it to me themselves?

Salam,

We live in scenario based world where we need to assess our actions prior to performing it.

Islam teaches muslims to be moderate and the intention of any action is for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) alone.  We hope we are guided.

In reality, the life consist of people with different background and interests.  Islam as a religion of peace (approved by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)) teaches us to take precautions and therefore we have classifications of actions.  All these actions are with hope that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) accept our actions and continue to guide us.

[The Green Knight]

Brother its simple. There are levels of faith. The people at higher levels avoid makruh in the same way haraam is avoided and they resort to choose mustahab in the same way we choose halaal. They do it all out of their love or devotion.

[PureExistence1]

As salaamun aleikum brother,

Just to add to the great points the others made, i want to mention that we are constantly in a state of moulding our souls. Each and every action we take either moulds it in a positive manner, such as wajib and mustahab do, or it has a negative effect on it, such as makruh or haram do..mubah not making a difference or having an effect.

We can not "see" the soul to see what condition we have moulded it into, but sometimes the effects of our actions on our souls become apparent the manner a person lives and conducts their life in.

Comitting wajib and mustahab acts leads a person to perform more of these good types of actions as the soul is being moulded positively and in sha Allah benefitting them on their spiritual path. The same can be said for the effects of the makruh and haram acts, but that these acts lead a person away from the straight path.

Each and every act falls into one of the 5 different classifications and has a different effect on the soul, and if we understand this level of the akham, it can really help us to go further on our paths than just seeing them as rules to follow. Of course, "rules to follow" is part of the scaffolding of how to live our lives as muslims, but there IS this deeper understanding that we can use to help us move forward, when we realize our actions have an immediate effect on our souls. Nothing goes unaccounted for.

Hope this has helped as an addition to the others points,

W/s