From: Ilm al-Hal: An Essential Hanafi Fiqh Handbook
© Faraz Rabbani, 2002.
It is upon every morally responsible person to keep the following obligations in mind at all times, day and night:
1 - The knowledge of Allah and attesting to His Oneness.
2 - Clothing oneself with the lawful (halal).[1]
3 - Ablution (wud?’). (F: By performing it properly, and striving to be in a state of ritual purity at all times.
4 - Performing the five obligatory prayers, and for men to be diligent in doing so in congregation this is either a confirmed sunna or necessary. (F:It is best and most rewarding for women to do so at home.)
5 - Believing that Allah (Most High) will provide for one and putting one’s heart at rest concerning this.
6 - Eating and drinking from a lawful means.
7 - Being content with what Allah grants of lawful means of livelihood.
8 - Trusting in one’s Lord (Exalted is He)[2]
9 - Being content with what one’s Lord destines.[3]
10 - Thanking Allah for His blessings.
11 - Being patient in trials and tribulations.
12 - Repenting from all sins.[4]
13 - Being sincere in one’s worship, by leaving pride (riya’) and ostentation (`ujb).[5]
14 - Taking Satan as one’s enemy.
15 - Making the Qur’?n one’s proof, and acting upon its teachings.
16 - Being prepared for death.
17 - Commanding the good and forbidding the evil.[6]
18 - Leaving backbiting, which is to mention someone with that which they dislike, even if it is true (F: for if it is untrue, it is slander, which is greater in sin).[7]
19 - Being good to one’s parents.[8]
20 - Being good to one’s relatives to the extent possible, even if only by a visit.[9]
21 - Keeping one’s promises.
22 - Leaving any jest, especially mocking others, that contravenes the Sacred Law.[10]
23 - Always obeying Allah (Most High) and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace).
24 - Being far from sin, and busy with acts of obedience.
25 - Fearing Allah (Exalted is He) and never feeling safe from Allah’s devising.
26 - Reflecting upon the creation of the Unique Creator to deduce from it His Oneness and Power.[11]
27 - Guarding one’s tongue from detestable speech.
28 - Not looking at women (F: who are not from one’s immediate family, or for a woman to look at men with desire).
29 - Giving full due (in one’s financial dealings with others).
30 - Giving to the needy, (especially) those who are without food.
31 - Not despairing of the mercy of Allah (Most High).
32 - Not following one’s caprice.
33 - Thanking Allah (Exalted is He) for all that happens, and considering it all a blessing.
34 - Paying zakat.
35 - Cleansing one’s heart from all sin. (Thus, one leaves the sin, seeks forgiveness for all one has done, and resolves never to return to it.)
36 - Never even coming near fornication (zina) or homosexual acts.
37 - Not wrongfully consuming another’s wealth.
38 - Never associating partners with Allah, (whether explicitly or implicitly, which is by showing off)
39 - Never pronouncing a false oath.
40 - Never to give charity and then make hurtful reminders by talking about it.
Causes of a Good Ending
(The causes of a good ending to one’s life are many, the greatest of which is to persist in carrying out what Allah has commanded and leaving what He has forbidden. Others include:
Being upright, constant in the remembrance of Allah, persisting in praying at night, and sending blessings upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). And all praise to Allah for enabling us to finish this work and upon His Prophet the best of blessings and peace.