Action Before Action

Action Before Action P reparedness for any important course of action is universally desirable. It is a basic requirement to lead the Islamic life. The first principle of Islam is imaan (faith), but before imaan there is a preparatory step—marefat, or realization. Narrating the story of a group of believers, the Quran says: When they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears, because of the Truth they recognize. They say, ‘Our Lord, we believe, so count us among those who bear witness.’ (5:83) This verse refers to a very important principle of Islam, that is, before belief (imaan), realization (marefat) is required. When an individual accepts Islam, he recites the kalimah of Islam but, before doing so, he must discover or realize the truth. It is discovery or realization that makes the recitation of the kalimah meaningful. Without realization, the mere recitation of the kalimah has no value. This principle applies to every tenet of Islam—the nafil (supererogatory) prayer before the farz (obligatory) prayer, some days of fasting in the month of Shahban before fasting in the month of Ramadan, infaq (voluntary charity and spending for the poor and needy) before the obligatory zakat, umrah (minor pilgrimage) before Hajj, and so on. This preparatory principle is important in all Islamic practices. It is like having a starter before taking a meal. It is this preliminary course that gives life to all Islamic practices. This activates one’s consciousness before entering into any