Waislamu wengi huwa na haraka sana kuhitimisha kwamba jambo fulani ni Haramu (limekatazwa) au Faradhi (la lazima) baada ya kusoma kwa haraka Aya au Hadithi. Si kila amri iliyo katika vyanzo vya sheria ni Faradhi au Haramu. Kanuni zinazotumika kutofautisha aina za Hukmu Shar'i zinahusiana tena na Usulu al-Fiqh.

Many Muslims are too quick to conclude that something is either Haram (prohibited) or Fard (compulsory) after a quick reading of an Ayah or a Hadith. Not all commands in the legislative sources are Fard or Haram. The rules, which are used to differentiate the types of Hukm Shar‟i, are again related to Usul al-Fiqh.

Kwa kweli, Hukm Shar‟i linaweza kueleweka kwa njia tano za jumla.

In reality, the Hukm Shar‟i can be understood in five general ways.

Ikiwa ombi la kutenda kitendo ni la lazima na thabiti (Talab Jazim), basi hilo ni Fardhi au Wajibu; zote mbili zina maana moja. Mtu anayetii Fardhi atapewa thawabu, na anayeasi ataadhibiwa.

If the request to do an action is decisive (Talab Jazim) then it is a Fard or Wajib; both have the same meaning. A person who complies with a Fard will be rewarded, while one who disobeys will be punished.

Mfano: Kutekeleza na kusimamisha Swala, kutoa Zakat, kushiriki katika Jihadi, kutawaliwa na Uislamu, wanawake Waislamu kuvaa Hijabu n.k.

Example: Performing and establishing Salah, paying Zakah, participating in the Jihad, being ruled by Islam, Muslim women wearing Hijab etc.

Ikiwa amri inahusiana na katazo lenye msisitizo la kujiepusha na kitendo fulani, basi kitendo hicho ni Haram au Mahdhur. Ikiwa Haram itafanywa, mtu atapata adhabu, lakini ikiwa kitendo cha Haram kitaepukwa, mtu atapata thawabu.

If the instruction is connected with a decisive command of refraining from an action then it is Haram or Mahdhur. If the Haram is committed, then the person will be punished, but if the Haram action is avoided, the person will be rewarded.

Mfano: kushughulika na Riba, kamari, kukuza uzalendo au demokrasia, n.k.

Example: dealing with Riba, gambling, promoting nationalism or democracy, etc.

Ikiwa agizo la kutekeleza kitendo fulani si la kulazimisha, basi hilo huchukuliwa kuwa Mandub. Anayelitekeleza husifiwa na kupewa thawabu; lakini asiyelitekeleza halaumiwi wala kuadhibiwa.

If the instruction to do an action is not firm, then it is considered Mandub. The one who performs it is praised and rewarded; however, the one who did not perform it is neither blamed nor punished.

Mfano: Kuwatembelea wagonjwa, kutoa sadaka kwa maskini, kufunga Jumatatu na Alhamisi.

Example: Attending to the sick, giving alms to the poor, fasting Mondays and Thursdays.

Ikiwa agizo la kujiepusha na kitendo fulani si la lazima kwa uthabiti, basi kitendo hicho huhesabiwa kuwa Makruh. Anayejiepusha nacho husifiwa na kulipwa thawabu, huku anayekitenda haadhibiwi wala kulaumiwa.

If the instruction of refraining from an action is not firm, then it is considered Makruh. The one who abstains is praised and rewarded while the one who does it is neither punished nor blamed.

Mfano: kuswali Sala kati ya Sala ya Alfajiri na kuchomoza kwa jua, kula kitunguu saumu kabla ya kwenda msikitini kwa ajili ya Sala, kutupa takataka barabarani n.k.

Example: performing Salah between Fajr Salah and sunrise, eating galic before going to the masjid for Salah, dropping litter on the road etc.

Ikiwa uchaguzi wa kufanya au kutofanya kitendo umeachwa kwa mtu mwenyewe, basi kitendo hicho huitwa Mubah. Mtu hatapata thawabu wala adhabu kwa kitendo kinachoangukia katika kundi hili.

If the choice to do or not to do an action is left up to the person, then the action is called Mubah. One will neither be rewarded nor punished for an action falling under this category.

Mfano: Kula nyama ya kondoo au kuku, kuoa wake hadi wanne, kuendesha gari n.k.

Example: Eating lamb or chicken, marrying up to four wives, driving a car etc.

Baadhi ya Hukm Shar‟i, kama Fard, hugawanywa katika makundi madogo. Kwa mfano, Fard hugawanywa katika Fard al Ayn na Fard al Kifaya. Fard al Ayn ni wajibu kwa kila Muslim, kama vile kuswali Sala tano kwa siku; kufunga Ramadhani; na kutekeleza wajibu kwa mume/mke. Fard al Kifaya ni wajibu kwa Ummah mzima hadi sehemu ya Ummah itakapotekeleza Fard hiyo, kama vile kuzika maiti ya Muslim. Iwapo sehemu ya Ummah itatekeleza jukumu hilo, basi wajibu huo huondolewa kwa Waislamu wengine. Baadhi ya aina nyingine za Hukm Shar‟i pia hugawanywa zaidi.

Some of the Hukm Shar‟i such as Fard are divided into sub-categories. For example, Fard is divided into Fard al Ayn and Fard al Kifaya. Fard al Ayn is obligatory on every Muslim, such as praying five times a day; fasting Ramadhan, fulfilling duties to husband/wife whereas, Fard al Kifaya is obligatory on the whole Ummah until part of the Ummah fulfils the Fard, such as the burial of a deceased Muslim. If a portion of the Ummah fulfilled this task, then this relieves the duty from the rest of the Muslims. Some of the other types of Hukm Shar‟i are also further sub-divided.