How can something be permissible but not prescribed?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : I heard on some tapes that you say, meaning, that something may be permissible but not prescribed.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : This matter has been difficult for me, because the permissibility of a permissible thing usually derives from the Lawgiver, whether by explicit text, derivation, or otherwise. I have found this matter difficult due to my limited knowledge, so I ask for clarification. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes, this becomes clear, may Allah bless you, in the example that something may be permissible, meaning it is allowed for a person to do it, but it is not prescribed for the community. An example of that is: the man whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent on a military expedition, who used to recite for his companions in their prayer and conclude with "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" (Say: He is Allah, the One). This reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and he did not rebuke him for it. But is this prescribed for us, so that whenever we conclude our recitation in prayer, we conclude with "Qul huwa Allahu ahad"? Yes? It is not prescribed. That is why the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do it, nor did he guide the community to it. Similarly: the Messenger allowed Sa'd ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) to give in charity to his mother his date palm grove, meaning the orchard that bears fruit, when he sought his permission to do so. But he did not say to the community, "Do this."
The questioner : If he did it, would it be considered an innovation if he persisted in it?
The Shaykh : No, no, it would not be an innovation. If, for example, a person recited "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" every time, as long as he continued, it would not be an innovation, because the Messenger allowed it, but it is not part of the Sunnah. We say that not doing it is better. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : This matter has been difficult for me, because the permissibility of a permissible thing usually derives from the Lawgiver, whether by explicit text, derivation, or otherwise. I have found this matter difficult due to my limited knowledge, so I ask for clarification. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes, this becomes clear, may Allah bless you, in the example that something may be permissible, meaning it is allowed for a person to do it, but it is not prescribed for the community. An example of that is: the man whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent on a military expedition, who used to recite for his companions in their prayer and conclude with "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" (Say: He is Allah, the One). This reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and he did not rebuke him for it. But is this prescribed for us, so that whenever we conclude our recitation in prayer, we conclude with "Qul huwa Allahu ahad"? Yes? It is not prescribed. That is why the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do it, nor did he guide the community to it. Similarly: the Messenger allowed Sa'd ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) to give in charity to his mother his date palm grove, meaning the orchard that bears fruit, when he sought his permission to do so. But he did not say to the community, "Do this."
The questioner : If he did it, would it be considered an innovation if he persisted in it?
The Shaykh : No, no, it would not be an innovation. If, for example, a person recited "Qul huwa Allahu ahad" every time, as long as he continued, it would not be an innovation, because the Messenger allowed it, but it is not part of the Sunnah. We say that not doing it is better. Yes.