ISLAMIC PRINCIPLE OF AFFORDABILITY

under normal circumstances, to perform ablution and pray, a person who is sick or in a place without water should perform tayammum (dry ablution) and pray. Collective matters differ fundamentally. These pertain to social affairs that involve many individuals. In the context of society, consensus on an approach is essential to avoid conflict. Imposing an external approach on society is bound to foster disagreement, leading to discord, increased animosity, and ultimately, violence. The desired outcome may remain elusive, resulting in turmoil instead. The solution lies in distinguishing between individual quality and collective feasibility. This can be succinctly encapsulated as “Idealism at the individual level, pragmatism at the social level.” Today, this principle of affordability aligns with result-oriented action, emphasizing practicality in contemporary discourse. o Thinking of death makes us realistic. When people forget about death, they forget how to live. Islamic scholars unanimously concur that the fundamental condition for fulfilling a religious duty is one’s ability; hence, it is impermissible to impose an obligation upon someone who lacks the means to fulfill it.