When Allaah gives His worshipping servant any directive, it is obligatory for the servant to fulfil seven levels towards it: first, acquiring knowledge about it; second, having love for it; third, resolving to comply with it; fourth, following through in complying with it; fifth, complying with it in the prescribed manner: both sincerely and correctly; sixth, being wary of doing anything that would nullify his compliance; and seventh, remaining steadfast in his compliance.
[1. The first level is acquiring knowledge about the directive]. Allaah commanded us with tawheed (sincerely devoting all worship to Him alone), and prohibited us from shirk (directing any form of worship to other than Him). Allaah permitted us to engage in trade, but forbade us from usury. Allaah also prohibited misappropriating the wealth of orphans, but permitted the orphans’ guardians to use some of the orphans’ wealth within acceptable limits if the guardians are needy.
When a person comes to know of directives like these, it is obligatory for him to know about details regarding what he has been commanded with and what he has been prohibited from, and he must inquire about those until he attains the knowledge about them that is necessary for him to have.
Consider this idea in the context of the first example: that of tawheed and shirk. Most people are aware that tawheed is correct and that shirk is incorrect, yet they remain negligent about those without inquiring about details that are necessary for them to know. Similarly, they are aware that Allaah has forbidden usury, yet they buy and sell without inquiring about details that are necessary for them to know; and they are aware that it is prohibited to misappropriate the wealth of orphans and that it is permissible to use some of it within acceptable limits if needed, yet they manage the property of orphans without inquiring about details that are necessary for them to know.
[2.] The second level is having love for the directive that Allaah sent down. If someone detests any directive that Allaah sent down, that person has committed kufr (rejected the truth from Allaah), and this is based on the statement of Allaah, ((That is because they detested what Allaah sent down, so He rendered their deeds void)) [47:9]. For this reason, it can be understood that most people do not genuinely love Allaah’s Messenger [(may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), since genuine love requires acceptance and obedience]; in reality, they detest the Messenger as well as the directives he brought, even though they may be aware that the directives were sent down by Allaah.
[3.] The third level is resolving to comply with the directive. There are many people who may have knowledge about a directive and have love for it, yet they do not resolve to comply with the directive because they fear that particular circumstances of theirs in this world would be adversely affected if they complied.
[4.] The fourth level is following through in complying with the directive. There are many people who may have the resolve to comply with a directive and may even follow through in complying; but if anyone senior to them or revered by them finds out about that [and disapproves of it], they desist from acting in compliance.
[5.] The fifth level [is complying with the directive both sincerely and correctly]. There are many who may act in compliance with a directive of Allaah, but without sincerely devoting their deeds to Him alone. Furthermore, even when they do act in compliance while maintaining sincere devotion to Allaah alone, their act is not performed in the correct manner (i.e. according the Sunnah).
[6.] The sixth level [is being wary of doing anything that nullifies one’s compliance]. Righteous individuals remain wary and fearful of their actions being rendered void as mentioned the statement of Allaah, the Most Exalted, ((Lest your deeds be rendered void without you realizing it)) [49:2]. This wariness is among the rarest of things in our time.
[7.] The seventh level is remaining steadfast in adhering to the truth, while fearing an unfavourable ending. The Prophet (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) remarked that there are those among you who may perform the deeds of the people of Jannah, yet their lives would conclude while they perform deeds of the people of the hellfire, [as mentioned in an authentic hadeeth (al-Bukhaaree, no. 3208; Muslim, no. 2643)]. This is also one of the things about which righteous individuals feel the greatest of fear, and it is something rare in our time.
Thus, contemplating the condition of people whom you know about – with respect to the preceding and other matters as well – will draw your attention to many things regarding which you lack knowledge, and Allaah knows best.