Fard al-Kifayah
Definition
Fard al-Kifayah (Arabic: فرض الكفاية, Turkish: Vakif Farz) defines a communal obligation in Muslim legal doctrine. In juxtaposition to Fard al-Ayn, Fard al-Kifayah is a legal obligation that must be discharged by the Muslim community as a whole, such as military struggle; if enough members in the Muslim community discharge the obligation, the remaining Muslims are freed from the responsibility before God. However, if a communal obligation is not sufficiently discharged, then every individual Muslim must act to address the deficiency.
Etymology
The term “Fard al-Kifayah” comes from Arabic:
- Fard (فرض): This stems from the root fa-ra-ḍa, meaning “to allocate” or “to prescribe.”
- Kifayah (الكفاية): This relates to “sufficiency” derived from the root ka-fa-ya, meaning “to be sufficient” or “to satisfy.”
Key Concepts
- Communal Responsibility: It highlights the significance of shared responsibility within the Muslim community. While individual actions are crucial, collective efforts align with broader societal duties.
- Legal Distinction: It is important to distinguish it from Fard al-Ayn (individual obligation) where each Muslim is individually responsible regardless of the community’s action.
- Examples of Fard al-Kifayah: This includes activities such as:
- Conduct of jihad (military struggle)
- Leading prayers in a mosque
- Funeral rites (Salat al-Janazah)
- Social services like education, healthcare, and feeding the hungry
Contemporary Applications
In recent Islamic literature, Fard al-Kifayah is increasingly discussed in the context of social responsibility, such as:
- Feeding the Hungry: Ensuring food security within the community.
- Commanding Good, Forbidding Evil: Encouraging moral behavior and addressing social evils.
- Disaster Relief: Mobilizing community resources to aid in times of crisis.
Further Studies and Suggested Books
- “Islamic Jurisprudence” by Wael B. Hallaq
- “An Introduction to Islamic Law” by Joseph Schacht
- “AL-GHAZALI’s Book of the Iḥyā’: The Revival of Religion’s Sciences” translated by Denys Johnson-Davies
- “The Spirit of Islamic Law” by Bernard G. Weiss
Takeaways and Conclusion
Understanding Fard al-Kifayah deepens the appreciation of the Muslim community’s interconnected social obligations. It exemplifies Islam’s balance between individual and communal duties, ensuring both personal growth and societal welfare. Effective fulfillment of Fard al-Kifayah promotes a cohesive community where collective responsibility enhances societal harmony and overall moral conduct.
Building a just and equitable society requires fulfilling shared responsibilities, highlighting the importance of cohesive communal actions inherent in the concept of Fard al-Kifayah.
