Abstract

This paper discusses the categories of action in the Islamic worldview: obligatory (fard), recommended (mandub), permissible (mubah), detested (makruh), and prohibited (haram). It will also refer to their subdivisions, where applicable, such as individual obligation (fard `ayn) and community obligations (fard kifayah) in which individuals can be exempted if the obligation is fulfilled by other members of the community.The notion of supererogation will be explained against this blueprint for action. The Islamic notion of ithar will be interpreted.