THE POSITION OF ‘ AML (PRACTICE) IN ISLAM

‘ Aml or practice broadly speaking signifies the external dimension of Imaan or Islaam . It refers to practice– to righteous deeds and abstention from prohibitions. It covers the physical acts of the body regarding virtue and vice.

‘ Aml is of the greatest importance for the cultivation, nourishment and development of Imaan . In the absence of ‘ Aml , Imaan remains stunted, withered and shorn of vitality and spiritual effulgence and glitter ( Noor ). For the progress of Imaan , the existence of ‘ Aml is imperative. The role of ‘ Aml is to develop Imaan into perfection.

While ‘ Aml is vital for the development and perfection of Imaan it is not a fundamental constituent in the nature of Imaan or Tasdeeq . ‘ Aml is not an integral part of Imaan . ‘ Aml is, therefore, not conditional for the validity of Imaan although it is conditional for its development and perfection. This should not be understood to mean that the non-acceptance of ‘ Aml does not negate Imaan . Rejection of ‘ Aml will destroy Imaan whereas non-execution of ‘ Aml will weaken Imaan , not negate Imaan , e.g. rejection of Salaat will negate Imaan . However, if Salaat is accepted as Rasoolullah 's (SAW) teaching, but is not practically executed, Imaan will be intact, albeit deplorably weak.

Since ‘ Aml is not a fundamental constituent part of Imaan , a person will remain a Muslim or a Mu'min even if he does not execute the practical side of Islaam as long as he subscribes to the Tasdeeq of the Shari'ah . Such Tasdeeq or Imaan as stated earlier exists with the concise assertion, viz. the Kalimah .