The Hadith “What I have forbidden for you…”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “What I have forbidden for you, avoid. What I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. For verily, it was only the excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed [the nations] who were before you.” [Narrated by Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Explanation
‘I have forbidden you…’: Meaning, if something is forbidden then, in origin, the thing that is forbidden is Haraam. Some say prohibitions that come from the texts means that if the Sunnah prohibits something then it is Makrooh and if the prohibition is from Allaah then it is Haraam, however this Hadeeth refutes this concept, as all Haraam and Halaal comes from the text, all of it is revelation whether it is Sunnah or Quraan.
This Hadeeth also is a proof to say that prohibitions are, in its origin, Haraam, however some of the Hanafees split prohibitions into three: something clearly made Haraam in the text, Makrooh Tahreemee is something that the text indicates as being Haraam and Makrooh Tanzeehee, something which is not a sin or prohibited but disliked.
‘I have ordered you’: Similar to prohibitions, if something is ordered or commanded then, in origin, it is an obligation.
Prohibition and commands that appear in the text are usually quite clear in what it is commanded or prohibiting us to do. However, there are other ways of know if something is prohibited or commanded, such as the punishment connected to it.
It is also important to note that all prohibitions and commands are based on the text and it is not based on personal opinion.
Obey Allah has much as you can: Meaning, if you are able to do an action, then one must do it.
Ahl as-Sunnah believe that having the ability to do a particular action is from the Hidayah or guidance from Allaah.
However, the Mu’tazilah says that ability is upon the individual and has nothing to do with Allaah, as the individual is responsible for his own actions and he controls his own actions.
The Ash’aairah say that ability for someone to do something is not real and only becomes real when one actually does the deed.
Asking too many questions: asking too many questions is not permissible, as Allaah, the Most High, says:
“O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur’an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you. Allah has forgiven that, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.” [Maa’idah 5:101]
This principle shows that the Shariah is based from the time of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], so asking too many questions was something prohibited at that time.
Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in discussing which is more important, doing the commands that Allaah has told us to do or staying away from the what Allaah has prohibited, said that the commands of Allaah are more important. So if one fulfils the commands of Allaah then this is sign that he has Islaam even if he has fallen into prohibitions. We learn this from the story of Aadam [Peace be Upon him], he was command and prohibited, but he fulfilled what was commanded on him and the prohibitions came after. Once he fell into the prohibitions he was forgiven.
Actions when one cant do it is of types: we are excused from doing acts of worships or parts of acts of worship we cannot physically do. So one may be excused from doing part of the worship such as a person having inability to stand during prayer, he is excused and may sit whilst praying.
It may also be that the person is not able to do the whole of act of worship, for example a person may be sick so he does not need to fast.
[Taken from Sharh Arba’een an-Nawawiyyah by Shaykh Sa’d ash-Shithree (May Allaah Preserve him)]