In our ongoing study of Usul al-Fiqh, we have been learning how the ulama derive rulings from the nusus (texts) of the Qur’an and the Sunnah — the process of istinbaṭ (extraction of rulings) and istidlal (deriving evidence). In the previous lesson, we studied al-Mutlaq wal-Muqayyad — the absolute and the restricted — understanding how a text may introduce a limitation to what was otherwise unrestricted.
Now, we move to another fundamental topic in the study of rulings: al-Amr (الأمر) — The Command, its counterpart: An-Nahi (النهي) — The Prohibition.
Definition of Al-Amr (الأمر)
Linguistically:
The word Amr (أمر) means “command,” “instruction,” or “order.” It denotes the act of directing someone to perform an action.
Technically (in Usul al-Fiqh):
In usuli terminology, Amr refers to a verbal instruction or order issued by a person in a position of authority or power, directed at someone in a subordinate or inferior position, requiring them to perform a certain action.
It therefore presumes two relational conditions:
- The command comes from one with power or authority.
- It is directed toward someone under that authority.
Example:
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُون
Obey Allah and the Messenger, so you may be shown mercy. (Quran 3:132)
When one of equal rank requests or appeals, it is iltimaas, and when one of lower rank (inferior) pleads (to a superior), it is dua — a supplication. And when the command to do descends from Allah, it becomes Amr.
Different Usages of Amr in Nusus
1. Ijab (Obligation)
It refers to a command or directive that immediately establishes a sense of compulsion or obligation in the mind of the recipient.
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ – Establish salah. (Qur’an 24:56)
Here, Amr clearly signifies obligation, for Salah is among the pillars of Islam. The compulsory nature of the Salaah is recognized by the recipient.
2. Istihbab (Recommendation)
It refers to something which is recommended.
فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا
And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness (Quran 24:33)
Here, the command is recommendation. It is mandub/mustahab (recommended).
3. Ibahah (Permission)
A command or directive that grants permission or consent for something after the removal of an 'obstruction' or hindrance.
وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوا
But when you come out of iḥrām, then [you may] hunt.(Quran 5:2)
The verse merely permits hunting after Ihrām — not mandates it. The command is for permissibility. This naturally does not mean that every person who comes out of their state of Ihraam must go and hunt.
4. Tahdeedd
Amr may also appear in a form of censure or threat. This refers to a command or directive that serves to censure or warn someone, typically by demonstrating anger or conveying a threat. For example, the statement "Do as you please!" followed by an implicit warning of consequences, would be an instance of Tahdeed.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَآ ۗ أَفَمَن يُلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلنَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّن يَأْتِىٓ ءَامِنًۭا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
Indeed, those who abuse Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is better: the one who will be cast into the Fire or the one who will be secure on Judgment Day? Do whatever you want. He is certainly All-Seeing of what you do. (Quran 41:40)
5. Tadeeb
It refers to a command or directive that aims to teach someone proper etiquette and manners, with the intent of instilling good character and behavior.
When the Prophet ﷺ saw a young boy eating:
A meal was brought to Allah's Messenger ﷺ while step-son of Wahb bin Kaisan, Umar bin Abi Salama was with him. Allah's Messenger said to him,
"Mention the Name of Allah and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” Sahih al-Bukhari 5378
6. Irshaad
A command or directive that aims to provide better understanding and perception of worldly matters. For example, when Allah advises regarding monetary dealings.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ
O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. (Quran 2:282)
7. Imtinaan
A command or directive that serves to demonstrate a favor or bestow a benefaction.
Here, Allah commands something to remind His servants of His generosity.
وَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا
Eat of the good, lawful things provided to you by Allah. (Quran 5:88)
It is an instance of Itnaan, where the command acknowledges and highlights the favor and provision granted by Allah.
8. Taskhir
A command or directive that demonstrates something being under Allah's complete control and authority. It signifies that when Allah intends for something to come into existence or be effected, it occurs instantaneously, without any delay, as His power and ability are not within the control of man.
For example, when Allah says about Jews:
كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ
Be apes, despised. (Qur’an 2:65)
9. Takween
A command or directive that brings something into existence.
For example, when Allah says
إِذَا قَضَى أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
When He decrees a matter, He only says to it “Be!” and it is. (Qur’an 2:117)
10. Taswiyah (Equating Two States)
A command or directive that equates or treats two things as the same.
For example, when Allah says
ٱصْلَوْهَا فَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ أَوْ لَا تَصْبِرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا
[Enter to] burn therein; then be patient or impatient - it is all the same for you. (Quran 52:16)
In this instance, the command serves to equate the two options, demonstrating that they are ultimately equivalent in their ineffectiveness.
11. Ikram (Honour and Esteem)
A command or directive that bestows respect and honor.
ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ آمِنِينَ
It will be said to them,˺ “Enter in peace and security.” (Quran 15:46)
The use of the term "Enter" grants the recipient (the believers) a sense of honor and esteem.
12. Ihaanah (Disgrace and Humiliation)
A command or directive that serves to disgrace or humiliate.
ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْكَرِيمُ
Taste! Indeed, you are the honored, the noble. (Qur’an 44:49)
The command "Taste (of the punishment)" is an act of Ihaanah, where the disbelievers are being disgraced and dishonored.
Scholarly Differences Regarding the Meaning of Amr
Scholars have differed on the interpretation of Amr:
- Some hold that Amr is a mushtarak (homonym) — a shared term that can mean wajib (obligation), mandub/mustahab (recommendation), or mubah (permission) depending on context.
- Others maintain that its default is wajib (obligation) or mustahab (recommended) unless evidence indicates otherwise.
- A third group argues that the primary meaning of Amr is permission to act (mubah).
Imam al-Shawkānī summarizes these discussions in Irshad al-Fuhool (p. 91),
"Scholars have differed in their interpretation of the meaning of a command (amr). Some have held the view that amr is a homonym (mushtarak), which can convey multiple meanings, such as obligation, recommendation, or permissibility. Others have argued that amr only implies obligation or recommendation, but not permissibility. There are also those who believe that the primary meaning of amr is permission to do something, and that this concept is common to all three of the aforementioned interpretations"
Definition of An-Nahi (النهي)
Linguistically:
Nahi (نهي) in Arabic means to forbid, to prevent, or to stop someone from doing something.
Technically (in Usul al-Fiqh):
In Usuli terminology, Nahi refers to a verbal directive issued by one in authority to someone subordinate, commanding them to abstain from a specific act.
Thus, while Amr implies “do,” Nahi implies “do not.”
The relationship of authority remains the same:
- A superior prohibits.
- The subordinate refrains.
Example:
وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا
And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our Ayaat. (Quran 6:150)
When one of equal rank requests or appeals, it is iltimaas, and when one of lower rank (inferior) pleads (to a superior), it is dua — a supplication. And when the command to refrain descends from Allah, it becomes Nahi.
Expressions of Nahi in the Quran
An-Nahi appears in the Qur’an through various forms of expression, such as:
- Direct Prohibition (لا تفعل)
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا
Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. (Qur’an 17:32)
The phrase “la taf‘al” (do not do) is the most direct form of Nahi.
- Negation of Halal
فَإِن طَلَّقَهَا فَلَا تَحِلُّ لَهُ مِن بَعْدُ حَتَّىٰ تَنكِحَ زَوْجًا غَيْرَهُ
So if a husband divorces his wife (three times), then it is not lawful for him to remarry her until after she has married another man and then is divorced. (Qur’an 2:230)
Here, Nahi is conveyed through the phrase “lā taḥillu lahū” — “not lawful for him,” expressing prohibition through negation.
- Declaration of Something as Haram
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَّهَاتُكُمْ وَبَنَاتُكُمْ
Prohibited to you (for marriage) are your mothers and your daughters. (Qur’an 4:23)
This form of Nahi declares certain acts inherently haram by Allah.
Different Usages of Nahi in Nusus
Although the primary meaning of Nahi is prohibition, it is used in different contexts in the Nusus, each carrying its own nuance.
1. Prohibition (Tahrim)
This is the primary usage of Nahi: a clear prohibition against a forbidden act.
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden (to be killed), except by legal right. (Qur’an 6:151)
Here, the Nahi denotes absolute prohibition (ḥarām).
2. Karahah (Dislike / Detestation)
Sometimes Nahi does not reach the level of prohibition, but it refers to something which is detested.
عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ نُهِينَا عَنِ اتِّبَاعِ الْجَنَائِزِ
Narrated Umm Aṭiyyah (رضي الله عنها):
“We were forbidden to accompany funeral processions” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1278)
At first glance, the wording indicates prohibition, but the continuation clarifies:
“…but it was not made obligatory upon us.”
3. Irshad (Guidance)
At times, Nahi is used as a form of gentle instruction or advice.
Mu'adh b. Jabal reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ caught his hand and said:
By Allah, I love you, Mu'adh. I give some instruction to you. Never leave to recite this supplication after every (prescribed) prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
"O Allah, help me in remembering You, in giving You thanks, and worshipping You well.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood 1522, authentic)
Here, “Never leave” (لاَ تَدَعَنَّ) is Nahi used for guidance.
4. To Denote Helplessness or Hopelessness
Sometimes Nahi is used not as a command but to express helplessness or futility.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The deniers will then be told, “O disbelievers! Make no excuses this Day! You are only rewarded for what you used to do. (Quran 66:7)
Here, Nahi conveys the sense that excuses will be of no avail.
5. Tahqeer (Belittlement)
Nahi can also be used to belittle or humble, not as legal prohibition, but as moral rebuke.
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًۭا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَبْقَىٰ
Never stretch your eyes towards the things We have given to some groups of them to enjoy, so that We put them to test thereby, it being merely glamour of the worldly life. And the bounty of your Lord is much better and more lasting. (Quran 20:131)
This Nahi discourages envy and worldly attachment.
6. Taswiyah (Equating Two States)
Tasweya refers to a Nahi that equates or treats two things as the same.
ٱصْلَوْهَا فَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ أَوْ لَا تَصْبِرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ
[Enter to] burn therein; then be patient or impatient - it is all the same for you. (Quran 52:16)
Here, the Nahi serves to equate the two options, demonstrating that they are ultimately equivalent in their ineffectiveness.
Conclusion
Having explored the definitions of Amr (command) and Nahi (prohibition), some important questions come to mind: What is the default implication of Amr? What does Nahi inherently convey? Do these terms indicate a binding command or prohibition, or are they simply forms of encouragement and discouragement?
InshaAllah, we will go deeper into these opinions in the next article.
