Bismillah
As Salam alaikum
Astaghfirullah if I sounded as if I did not agree with Allah's Laws. That is not what I meant to say at all. Maybe a clearer way for me to state what I wanted to say will evolve here. There are different types of laws, right? Some are required which means that everyone MUST do it. There are others were some things are permissible. When something is permissible, I must think for myself if this allowed thing will draw me closer to Allah or farther from Him.
If my mother left a note on the kitchen counter that said, "Go outside." I am pretty sure that we all agree that we would then go outside (if we were obedient children as I am sure we all were [img]style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img] ). The message is clear. If my mother left a note that said, "You can go outside if you want," then I am required to do some logical thinking for myself. Just because my mother said that I could go outside does not mean that there are not stipulations to be understood. Like if I knew that if I went outside, I would join up with some bad kids and get in trouble, then I should not have went outside. If it becomes muddy and I ruin my shoes by going outside, then I should have had the sense to stay in. On the other hand, if I know that I will get restless inside and get into trouble inside, then I should go outside. Does this make sense?
I know for me that multiple wives are allowed for me. Yet when I think about it, I know that I will not be able to live up to the guidelines that Allah has set. I do not think that I would be able to be unbiased with my wives so FOR ME, I think it would be bad for me to have more than one wife. It would take me further from Allah rather than bring me closer. This is how I am understanding Intuition as well. She knows that it is permitted for her husband but she knows that she would not be able to be the best wife for her husband because of jealousy or whatnot. So I think for her it would be bad to be involved with a man with more than one wife because it would draw her away from Allah.
I judge my actions by whether or not they will draw me closer to Allah. Number one is to have my actions be in accordance with the sunnah of the Prophet. Out of those permissible actions, I must find which ones will draw me closer to Allah. Say it is difficult for me to fast. I fast when commanded but after that I do not fast extra because it makes me too weak to work and I get resentful and crabby with everyone, thus possibly nullifying my fast and earning sins. But it is easy for me to get up early and pray extra. By figuring out which of the PERMISSIBLE acts will draw me personally closer to Allah, I am becoming a sucessful muslim. Different companions were known for being pious in different ways. Some recited and memorized Qur'an. Some fasted alot. Some prayed all night. Just because one companion did not do something permissible did not mean that others who did were better. On the other hand, just because someone does something permissible does not mean that they are better than others who do not.
Allah, The All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving, has built a pasture for us to graze and become nourished by this deen. Some graze in the shade. Others like it out in the sun. Yet we are all grazing in the lawful good things Allah Gives us.
Insha'Allah, I have cleared myself before Allah. If I have offended any of my brothers or sisters, then please forgive me. Keep me in you all's prayers.
As Salam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu