It is upon every responsible Muslim to keep the following obligations in mind at all times, day and night:

1. The knowledge of Allahand attesting to His Oneness.

2. Clothing oneself with the lawful (halal).

3. Ablution (wudu). ( By performing it properly, and striving to be in a state of ritual purity at all times.

4. Performing the five obligatory prayers, and for men to be diligent in doing so in congregation this is either a confirmed sunna or necessary. (F:It is best and most rewarding for women to do so at home.)

5. Believing that Allah (Most High) will provide for one and putting one's heart at rest concerning this.

6. Eating and drinking from a lawful means.

7. Being content with what Allah grants of lawful means of livelihood.

8. Trusting in one's Lord (Exalted is He)

9. Being content with what one's Lord destines.

10. Thanking Allah for His blessings.

11. Being patient in trials and tribulations.

12. Repenting from all sins.

13. Being sincere in one's worship, by leaving pride (riyaa) and ostentation (`ujb).

14. Taking Satan as one's enemy.

15. Making the Quran one's proof, and acting upon its teachings.

16. Being prepared for death.

17. Commanding the good and forbidding the evil.

18. Leaving backbiting, which is to mention someone with that which they dislike, even if it is true (F: for if it is untrue, it is slander, which is greater in sin).

19. Being good to one's parents.

20. Being good to one's relatives to the extent possible, even if only by a visit.

21. Keeping one's promises.

22. Leaving any jest, especially mocking others, that contravenes the Sacred Law.

23. Always obeying Allah (Most High) and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace).

24. Being far from sin, and busy with acts of obedience.

25. Fearing Allah (Exalted is He) and never feeling safe from Allah's devising.

26. Reflecting upon the creation of the Unique Creator to deduce from it His Oneness and Power.

27. Guarding one's tongue from detestable speech.

28. Not looking at women (F: who are not from one's immediate family, or for a woman to look at men with desire).

29. Giving full due (in one's financial dealings with others).

30. Giving to the needy, (especially) those who are without food.

31. Not despairing of the mercy of Allah (Most High).

32. Not following one's caprice.

33. Thanking Allah (Exalted is He) for all that happens, and considering it all a blessing.

34. Paying zakat.

35. Cleansing one's heart from all sin. (Thus, one leaves the sin, seeks forgiveness for all one has done, and resolves never to return to it.)

36. Never even coming near fornication (zina) or homosexual acts.

37. Not wrongfully consuming another's wealth.

38. Never associating partners with Allah, (whether explicitly or implicitly, which is by showing off)

39. Never pronouncing a false oath.

40. Never to give charity and then make hurtful reminders by talking about it.

[1] Note that silk is permitted for women, not men. Men cannot adorn themselves with gold or silver, except for a silver ring and sword adornment, if the intention is not adornment. Both men and women cannot use gold and silver utensils.

[2] Trusting in one's Lord means that one does not hope except from Him, and fears none but Him. Trust is one of the five things through which the Path of the Sufis is sought, as mentioned by Ibn `Arabi. These five things are: trust in Allah, certainty, patience, determination, and being true. So it is upon the intelligent to consign all their affairs to Allah, and not to rely on others, for Allah Most High has said, 'And whosoever puts their trust in Allah, He will suffice him.' (Qurân, 65:3)

[3] For only that which He has determined and destined happens. In the Forty Hadiths of Nawawi, it is reported on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, “I was behind the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) one day when he said to me, “O youth, I shall teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will be mindful of you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah. If you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Community were to gather to benefit you with anything, they would only benefit you with something Allah had written for you, and if they gather to harm you, they would only harm you with something Allah had already written for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried. (Related by Tirmidhi, who said it is a good and rigorously authentic narration)

[4] The conditions for a valid repentance are four: acknowledging one's sin, being remorseful about it, (F: leaving it immediately and) being determined not to return to it, and to mend any grievances .

[5] And whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work, and make none sharer of the worship due unto his Lord. (Qurân, 19: 111)

[6] The good is that which corresponds to the Sacred Law, and the bad is that which contravenes it.

It is only necessary to command good and forbid evil if one believes that the person will listen. If one thinks that the person will not listen, it is not necessary; however, it is better to advise that person, even if it entails harm to one. (F: However, if this will mean that the person becomes worse or more entrenched in their wrongdoing, then it is better to remain silent.)

Know, too, that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil needs to be done in a gentle and mild way. It is best to do so by relating the matter back to the Lawgiver.

[7] Backbiting can be explicit with the tongue, or by actions such as mimicking.

It is best to seek that persons forgiveness, though it is enough to feel remorse and seek Allah's forgiveness for having talked about him behind his back.

[8] Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. (Qurân, <ST1>18: 23</ST1>)

[9] Regarding being good to one's relatives, we should remember that the point is not to be good to them only if they are good to you, but rather to be good to them even if they are bad to you.

[10] F: This includes trying to make others laugh through lying.

[11] For in each atom of these created things is sufficient proof that Allah Most High is its Creator, without partners or aides.

From the book 'Ilm al-Hal