Title: Will a Muslim be Punished for Deviation from the Teachings of the Prophet (pbuh)? Question: The question I am about to pose seems extremely silly and unnecessary at first glance. But, please be sure, I ask it with all sincerity... According to Surah 2:62 and 5:69, the basic criteria for success in the Hereafter, in addition to avoiding the sins/crimes that warrant eternal damnation, include belief in God, in the Day of Judgment, and the performance of good deeds to win the pleasures of God. You have expounded upon what each of these criteria entails in terms of their intellectual and practical significance and have clarified that the referred qualifications relate to being a 'Muslim' in the literal sense (i.e. one who truly submits to God). Being a 'Muslim,' in the legal sense, is quite a different matter, for this involves adhering to the Shari`ah as defined by the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), an adherence which includes, but is not limited to, the positive qualifications listed in Surah 2:62 and 5:69. Perhaps I should pose the general question in my mind by offering an example. I know that to be considered a genuine Muslim in the legal sense, one of the religious duties I must fulfill is the establishment of 5 prayers a day. If I have understood and recognized Islam to be God's truth and have subsequently declared the Shahadah , it becomes binding upon me to take up this responsibility. Yet, this responsibility is not a specified requisite according to the basic criteria for success in the Hereafter as per 2:62 and 5:69. So what exactly does it mean to be a true Muslim? Would the establishment of Salah be considered a necessary extension of belief in God, which itself is a generic criterion, or might one dare to think that even if he/she prays 4 times a day, and not 5, he/she shall still qualify for selection into Paradise on the grounds that he/she nevertheless fulfilled the BASIC requirements for entry into God's Kingdom? I am not looking for an excuse to shirk the responsibilities and duties prescribed by the Shari'ah , by any means, but I am very unclear about how to square the legal connotation of the word Muslim with its literal connotation. Please offer some insight. Thank you. Omar Sarwar Singapore Answer: The two referred verses of the Qur'an, as you have rightly pointed out, has given the necessary positive requirements for success in the hereafter. There are a number of negative requirements, which a person must refrain from for his eternal success in the hereafter. These negative requirements include refraining from sin and disobedience of God. Not abiding by the teachings of the person whom one believes to be a true prophet of God can, under certain circumstances, amount to a sin and disobedience of God. A person guilty of sin shall, if he does not have an acceptable excuse for his deviation, have to face the consequences of his sin and disobedience. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad July 21, 2002