An-Nu'man b. Bashir reported God's Messenger as saying, “What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not recognize. He who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and his honour blameless, but he who falls into doubtful things falls into what is unlawful, just as a shepherd who pastures his animals round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Every king has a preserve, and God’s preserve is the things He has declared unlawful. In the body there is a piece of flesh, and the whole body is sound if it is sound, but the whole body is corrupt if it is corrupt. It is the heart.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Clear Boundaries of Lawful and Unlawful
The Prophet (peace be upon him) establishes that the matters of halal (lawful) and haram (unlawful) are distinctly defined in Islamic law, leaving no ambiguity for the sincere seeker of truth.
This clarity serves as divine mercy, allowing believers to navigate life's transactions with confidence in what pleases Allah.
The Zone of Doubtful Matters
Between the clearly lawful and unlawful exists a gray area - matters whose ruling is not immediately apparent to most people.
The scholar's wisdom teaches that the cautious believer should avoid these doubtful matters entirely, for this protection safeguards both one's religion and worldly honor.
The Shepherd Analogy
The Prophet's analogy of the shepherd grazing near a protected sanctuary illustrates how gradually approaching boundaries leads to transgression.
Just as a king protects his domain, Allah has established sacred boundaries through His prohibitions. The righteous maintain safe distance from these boundaries.
The Heart's Central Role
The hadith culminates by identifying the heart as the central organ determining spiritual health.
When the heart is sound through proper belief and intention, all actions become sound. When corrupted by doubt or evil intention, the entire spiritual condition deteriorates.
Practical Application in Business
In business transactions, this teaching requires Muslims to avoid ambiguous contracts, questionable partnerships, and dealings with uncertain permissibility.
The pious merchant prioritizes clarity in all transactions, ensuring both parties understand the terms and that the exchange complies with Islamic commercial principles.