Morality and Ethics inIslam
الأخلاق والآداب في الإسلام
[ English - إنجليزي ]
موقع دين الإسلام
2013 - 1434
Islam is a comprehensive way of life, and morality isone of the cornerstones Islam. Morality is one of the fundamental sourcesof a nation’s strength, just as immorality is one of the main causes of anation’s decline. Islam has established some universal fundamental rightsfor humanity as a whole, which are to be observed in all circumstances. To uphold these rights, Islam has provided not only legal safeguards, but alsoa very effective moral system. Thus, whatever leads to the welfare of theindividual or the society and does not oppose any maxims of the religion ismorally good in Islam, and whatever is harmful is morally bad.
Given its importance in a healthy society, Islamsupports morality and matters that lead to it, and stands in the way ofcorruption and matters that lead to it. The guiding principle for thebehavior of a Muslim is “Virtuous Deeds”. This term covers all deeds, notonly acts of worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is God Himself.
The most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim arepiety and humility. A Muslim must be humble with God and with otherpeople:
“And turn not your face away from people (with pride), nor walk ininsolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogantboaster. And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, andlower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice(braying) of the ass.” (Quran 31:18-19)
Muslims must be in controls of their passions anddesires.
A Muslim should not be vain or attached to theephemeral pleasures of this world. While most people allow the material worldto fill their hearts, Muslims should keep God in their hearts and the materialworld in their hand. Instead of being attached to the car and the job andthe diploma and the bank account, all these things become tools to make us betterpeople.
“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (willprosper) that brings to God a sound heart.” (Quran: 26:88-89)
Principles of Morality in Islam
God sums up righteousnessin verse 177 of Surat Al Baqarah:
“It is not righteousness thatyou turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness (the qualityof ) the one who believes in God and the Last Day and the Angels, and the Book,and the Messengers; who spends of his wealth, in spite of love for it, to thekinsfolk, to the orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarer, to those who ask andfor the freeing of slaves; and who is steadfast in prayers, and gives Zakah(Alms); and those who fulfill their covenants which they made; and who arepatient and perseverant in poverty and ailment and throughout all periods offighting. Such are the people of truth, the pious.”
This verse teaches usthat righteousness and piety is based before all else on a true and sincerefaith. The key to virtue and good conduct is a strong relation with God,who sees all, at all times and everywhere. He knows the secrets of thehearts and the intentions behind all actions. Therefore, a Muslim must bemoral in all circumstances; God is aware of each one when no one else is. If we deceive everyone, we cannot deceive Him. We can flee from anyone,but not from Him. The love and continuous awareness of God and the Day ofJudgment enables man to be moral in conduct and sincere in intentions, withdevotion and dedication:
“Indeed, the mosthonorable among you in the sight of God is the most pious.” (Quran 49:13)
Then come deeds ofcharity to others, especially giving things we love. This, like acts ofworship, prayers and Zakah (mandatory alms), is an integral part ofworship. A righteous person must be reliable and trustworthy.
Finally, their faith mustbe firm and should not wane when faced with adversity. Morality must bestrong to vanquish corruption:
“And God loves those who arefirm and steadfast.”
Patience is often hardestand most beautiful when it’s against one’s own desires or anger:
“And march forth towardforgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and theearth, prepared for the pious. Those who spend (in the way of God) inprosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon people; verily,God loves the doers of the good deeds.” (Quran 3:133)
These three acts areamong the hardest things for most people, but they are also the key toforgiveness and to paradise. Are they not the best, those who are able toexercise charity when they are in need themselves, control when they are angryand forgiveness when they are wronged?
This is the standard bywhich actions are judged as good or bad. By making pleasing God theobjective of every Muslim, Islam has set the highest possible standard ofmorality.
Morality in Islamaddresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to internationalrelations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability. Morality reigns in selfish desires, vanity and bad habits. Muslims mustnot only be virtuous, but they must also enjoin virtue. They must notonly refrain from evil and vice, but they must also forbid them. In otherwords, they must not only be morally healthy, but they must also contribute tothe moral health of society as a whole.
“You are the best of thenations raised up for (the benefit of) men; you enjoin what is right and forbidthe wrong and believe in God; and if the followers of the Book had believed itwould have been better for them; of them (some) are believers and most of themare transgressors.” (Quran: 3:110)
The Prophet, may themercy and blessings of God be upon him, summarized the conduct of a Muslim whenhe said:
“My Sustainer hasgiven me nine commands: to remain conscious of God, whether in private or inpublic; to speak justly, whether angry or pleased; to show moderation both whenpoor and when rich, to reunite friendship with those who have broken off withme; to give to him who refuses me; that my silence should be occupiedwith thought; that my looking should be an admonition; and that I shouldcommand what is right.”
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