Discipline and Order and Some of Its Social Forms
Cleanliness:
Islam teaches its followers purity, cleanliness, and hygiene. That is why purity holds a special status in Islam. Nearly all acts of worship require cleanliness as a condition, and this itself reflects discipline and order.
Good Appearance:
We should improve not only our inner selves but also our outward appearance. As Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) narrates, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
Discipline in Acts of Worship
Islamic law has emphasized order and discipline in all acts of worship.
Prayer (Ṣalāh):
Just consider the fixed times of prayer. The system of congregational prayer also teaches discipline and unity five times a day. When Muslims gather in the mosque repeatedly throughout the day, it instills the awareness that all Muslims are united as one body, not separate individuals.
Such importance has been given to congregation that even during war, it was not abandoned.
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًۭا وَقُعُودًۭا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًۭا مَّوْقُوتًۭا ١٠٣
Once you have finished your Salāh, then, remember Allah while standing, sitting and reclining. As soon as you are secure, perform Salāh as due. Surely, Salāh is an obligation on the believers that is tied up with time. (4:103)
And when you stand for prayer, straightening your rows also teaches organization and discipline. It is narrated from Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ سَوُّوا صُفُوفَكُمْ فَإِنَّ تَسْوِيَةَ الصُّفُوفِ مِنْ إِقَامَةِ الصَّلاَةِ ”.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Straighten your rows as the straightening of rows is essential for a perfect and correct prayer. ” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا حُمَيْدٌ الطَّوِيلُ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَقَطَ عَنْ فَرَسِهِ، فَجُحِشَتْ سَاقُهُ أَوْ كَتِفُهُ، وَآلَى مِنْ نِسَائِهِ شَهْرًا، فَجَلَسَ فِي مَشْرُبَةٍ لَهُ، دَرَجَتُهَا مِنْ جُذُوعٍ، فَأَتَاهُ أَصْحَابُهُ يَعُودُونَهُ، فَصَلَّى بِهِمْ جَالِسًا، وَهُمْ قِيَامٌ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ قَالَ ” إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ الإِمَامُ لِيُؤْتَمَّ بِهِ، فَإِذَا كَبَّرَ فَكَبِّرُوا، وَإِذَا رَكَعَ فَارْكَعُوا، وَإِذَا سَجَدَ فَاسْجُدُوا، وَإِنْ صَلَّى قَائِمًا فَصَلُّوا قِيَامًا ”. وَنَزَلَ لِتِسْعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ آلَيْتَ شَهْرًا فَقَالَ ” إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ ”.
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Once Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) fell off a horse and his leg or shoulder got injured. He swore that he would not go to his wives for one month and he stayed in a Mashruba [??] (attic room) having stairs made of date palm trunks. So his companions came to visit him, and he led them in prayer sitting, whereas his companions were standing. When he finished the prayer, he said, “Imam is meant to be followed, so when he says ‘Allahu Akbar,’ say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and when he bows, bow and when he prostrates, prostrate and if he prays standing pray, standing. After the 29th day the Prophet (ﷺ) came down (from the attic room) and the people asked him, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! You swore that you will not go to your wives for one month.” He said, “The month is 29 days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Thus, while giving Zakāh, a Muslim is actually strengthening the bond of collective unity.
Hajj:
The system of Hajj—just as the five daily prayers remind Muslims of unity in congregation, and the gatherings of the two Eids reinforce this reminder—similarly, one wisdom behind making Hajj obligatory once in a lifetime for those who can afford it may be that Muslims from all over the world gather in one place, expressing their unity.
In the obligation of Hajj, there is also an emphasis on avoiding conflict and maintaining harmony within the collective body.
Jihād:
The system of Jihād is also an important foundation of the Islamic system. Its purpose is to maintain a balance of power among nations so that the strong do not devour the weak. Rather, every nation should preserve its strength for protection, defense, and safeguarding itself from unjust domination.
Islam provides detailed principles for organizing and managing this strength properly. The collective title for these principles is “Jihād.” It includes preparation, formation of ranks, determination, courage, steadfastness, and clear instructions not to harm the weak, the vulnerable, women, or religious individuals.
These detailed teachings reflect the discipline, organization, and comprehensive nature of the Islamic system of warfare.
Discipline in Promises and Agreements
Allah Almighty says:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْـُٔولًۭا ٣٤
Do not go near the property of an orphan, except in a manner that is good, until he comes to his maturity. And fulfill the covenant. Surely, the covenant shall be asked about (on the Day of Reckoning). (17:34)
It is a blessed Hadith:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ:” آيَةُ النِّفَاقِ ثَلَاثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ
It is narrated from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith: 5024]
وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ ٱلْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًۭا مَّحْسُورًا ٢٩
And do not keep your hand tied to your neck, nor extend it to the full extent, lest you should be sitting reproached, empty-handed. (17:29)
Social Discipline and Order
In an Islamic state, an individual is not given absolute freedom but rather responsible freedom. Lawlessness, violation of rules, moral anarchy, social disorder, obscenity, insecurity, and corruption are all punishable crimes in an Islamic system.
Allah Almighty says:
وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ ٧٧
And seek the (betterment of) the Ultimate Abode with what Allah has given to you, and do not neglect your share from this world, and do good as Allah did good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land. Surely, Allah does not like the mischief-makers.” (28:77)
Judicial and Legal Discipline
Order cannot be maintained without justice. That is why Allah Almighty has said:
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ ٩٠
Allah enjoins to do justice and to adopt good behavior and to give relatives (their due rights), and forbids shameful acts, evil deeds and oppressive attitude. He exhorts you, so that you may be mindful. (16:90)
In an Islamic state, all people are required to abide by the laws of the state—whether the matter appears highly important or holds little significance in our view. In every case, compliance with the law is obligatory for everyone.
War and Military Discipline
Discipline and order in warfare are the key to success. Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ صَفًّۭا كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَـٰنٌۭ مَّرْصُوصٌۭ ٤
Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in firm rows, as if they were solid edifice. (61:4)
The Battle of Uhud is an example of how even a slight violation of discipline and disorder became the cause of an apparent defeat.
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