To measure action, we must relate it to that which is permitted and that which is prohibited.

Many men move in life aimlessly. They do their actions without considering them in terms of a specific criterion. For this reason, they do evil actions which they think are fair, and avoid doing actions which they think are unfair. A Muslim woman who walks in the large streets of Beirut, Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, Istanbul, Tehran and others uncovers her legs and exhibits her charms believing that she is doing a good thing. In the same manner, the pious Muslim stays at the Masjid permanently and does not criticize the corrupt conduct of the rulers courageously, because he thinks that working in this case, falls into sin; she displays her defects and he does not look after Muslim’s affairs; they do so because they do not take a criterion for themselves by which they measure their actions. If they do so, they would not behave in a way which contradicts the principles which they openly declare they believe in. Therefore, the criterion is necessary for an individual so that he will know the quality of an action before doing it. Islam made a criterion by which every person can distinguish good from bad, this criterion is the Shari’a, law of Allah.

Therefore what the Shari’a considers good is good, and what it considers bad is bad. This criterion is permanent. So far does not become bad, and unfair does not become good. What the Shari’a says is fair remains fair, and what it says is bad remains bad. Thus man moves along the right path, since he knows the trait of an action (be it good or bad) through the criterion, the law of Allah. But if he leaves his decision to do or not to do an action to his reason alone, he shall move awkwardly, because an action becomes fair in one condition and unfair in another. So judgment of an action will be storm swept or simply unbalanced, and a good and bad become personal values rather than absolute truth. Hence, man will fall into the trouble of doing infamous deeds, thinking that they are good and avoids doing good deeds, for he thinks they are bad.

Man Possesses Numerous Incentives

The Da’ee should make spiritual forces the incentives of actions. Man possesses material forces represented by his body and the means which he uses to satisfy his desires. These are the least effective of forces. IN addition, he possesses spiritual forces represented by spiritual attributes which manifested in his perception of his relation to Allah. These forces are more effective than material forces.

To Islam, spiritual forces are the motivating forces of a Muslim. The latter is demanded to behave according to the imperatives and interdictions of Allah. Islam also demands a Muslim to be patient and steadfast in the face of hardships, misfortune, and distress, so he will look down upon any catastrophe if it is for Allah’s sake, and is never pleased by any grace if Allah has no ample share in it.