a fatwa contrary to the ruling of Allah and His Messenger is forbidden for a mufti, unless he errs while exercising independent scholarly judgment, in which case he bears no sin.
Disliked actions include idle fiddling, games that are not forbidden, and writing things that serve no useful purpose and bring no benefit in this world or the Hereafter.
Recommended actions include writing anything beneficial to religious life or conducive to a Muslim’s welfare, and doing good with one’s hands: helping a craftsman, doing work for someone who lacks the skill, pouring water from one’s bucket into the bucket of someone seeking water, loading someone’s mount for him, holding it steady while it is being loaded, or lending a hand with whatever he needs, and similar acts. This also includes touching the Corner with one’s hand during circumambulation. There are two opinions concerning kissing one’s hand afterward.
Permissible actions are those that entail neither harm nor reward.
Obligatory walking includes walking to Friday prayers and congregational prayers, according to the sounder of the two opinions, supported by twenty-odd proofs mentioned elsewhere. It also includes walking around the House for an obligatory circumambulation; going between al-Safā and al-Marwa, on foot or on one’s mount; going to submit to the judgment of Allah and His Messenger when summoned; going to maintain ties of kinship and show kindness to one’s parents; going to gatherings to acquire knowledge that one is obliged to seek and learn; and walking to Hajj when the distance is short and doing so causes no harm.
Forbidden walking is walking to disobey Allah; such a person belongs to Satan’s infantry. Allah Most High says:
“And rally against them your cavalry and infantry.” 17: 64
Muqātil «1» said: