Morality generally refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society holds as authoritative, in distinguishing right from wrong. Islam as a complete way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-view. We live in an era where good and evil are often looked at as related concepts. Islam, however, defines a universal standard by which actions may be suspect moral or immoral. Allah says:
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَكْرُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
“Whoever [is] desires the honour, then for Allah (is) the Honor all. To Him ascends the words well, and the deed righteous raises it. But those who plot the evil, for them (is) a punishment severe, and (the) plotting (of) those – it (will) perish.” (Surah Fatir 35:10)
Morality generally refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society holds as authoritative, in distinguishing right from wrong. Such an ideal code of conduct is often espoused in preference to other alternatives. Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-view. Allah says:
إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ وَيَأْتِ بِآخَرِينَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ قَدِيرًا
“If He wills He can take you away O people, and bring others. And Allah is over that All-Powerful.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:133)
“Ethics” is the character and nature of the community, people or system. If we look into the technical meaning of “Ethics” then it means “Science of Morals” or if we want to simplify it we can say that Ethics is a certain set of rules which are being provided by a society or a religion. But we have to talk about Islamic Ethics which we can describe as “Islamic Ethics is a set of rules which are guiding a Muslim so that he/she can live good and ideal life while being civilized.”
Basic Principles in Islamic Morality:
- Truthfulness: “O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful people.” (9:119)
- Sincerity: “Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (39:2)
- Unselfishness: “Do no favour seeking gain.” (74:6)
- Humility: “Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows best who is righteous.” (53:32)
- Patience: “Allah loves those who are patient.” (3:145)
- Forgiveness: “Whenever they (true believers) are angry they forgive.” (42:37)
- Purity and cleanliness: “Purify your garments and shun uncleanness.” (74:4-5)
- Honesty: “Do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, nor offer it as a bribe to the officials so that you may swallow up other people’s property unlawfully while you know.” (2:188)
- Goodness and kindness to others: “Allah commands you to uphold justice and to do good to others and to give to the relatives.” (16:90)
- Consideration and respect for others: “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it (in the same terms at least).” (4:86)
فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
“But chose him, his Lord, and made him of the righteous.” ( Surah Al-Qalam 68:50)
Islam is a complete code of life that describes each and everything we required to live an ideal life according to the teachings of the Quran. Islam properly describes Moral Values and Ethics because Muslims should live their life according to these values which are prescribed by Almighty Allah. Allah says:
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا آخَرِينَ
“And how many We (have) shattered of a town (that) was unjust, and We produced after them, other people.” ( Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:11)
As we know the existence of man is a creation of All-Wise and The Most Merciful Creator. After the creation of man, Almighty Allah gave him the authority to live his life according to his own choice whether it’s a good or bad choice. Allah says:
وَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِنَا إِنَّهُم مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
“And We admitted them in Our Mercy. Indeed, they (were) of the righteous.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:86)
Islam has set some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be noticed and respected under all situations. To achieve these rights Islam provides not only legal safeguards but also a very effective moral system. Allah with His great wisdom could have made such a system that teaches humans how to deal with every aspect of their lives. Allah made a complete and integrated system. Allah says:
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَالِحِينَ
“And We bestowed on him Ishaq and Yaqub (in) addition, and all We made righteously.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:72)
So whatever point to the interest of the individual or the society is morally good in Islam and whatever is injurious is morally bad. We have to implement these Moral values and Ethics in our life. May Allah give us the strength to live our lives according to the teachings of Almighty Allah!
Islam allows a person to truly experience God’s love:
- Islam remains away from gambling and intoxicants
- Islam Emphasises Both Evidence and Faith
- Islam teaches that God is the Most Justice
- Islam gives a person a clear perspective
- Islam treats all people in a fair manner
- Islam provides equal opportunity
- Islam is the future of the world
- Islam make our life better
- Islam the true way of life
- Islam bend to mutual caring
- Islam has a message to all people
- Islam considers to rights of others
- Islam is to develop a peaceful society
- Islam does not allow kill anyone unjustly
- Islam teaches the care of orphans and the poor
- Islam guides dealing with parents in the best manner
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is a great example for all humankind if anyone wants to know about the Ethics and Morality of the religion Islam. When Prophet (SAW) started preaching Islam He (SAW) was more focused on disciplining Muslims to have the best manners and personal characteristics.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “O you who believe! keep your duty to Allah and speak straight true words.” (Quran 33:70)
- “For they have been guided (in this life) to the purest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthy of (all) Praise.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 24)
- “He indeed is successful who purifies himself (in mind and body), and remembers the name of his Lord, then prays.” ( Quran 87:14-15)
- “Give good news to the patient, who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: We are Allah’s and to Him do we return.” ( Quran 2:155-156)
- “No reproof be against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.” ( Quran 12:92)
- “(The dutiful are) . . . those who restrain their anger and pardon people. Allah loves those who do good to others.” ( Quran 3:134)
- “Do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exultingly.” ( Quran 31:18)
- “Pardon (people) and overlook (their faults). Don’t you love that Allah should forgive you.” ( Quran 24:22)
- “Woe to those who pray but are unmindful of their prayers, who do good to be seen.” ( Quran 107:4-6)
- “The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility.” ( Quran 25:63)
From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship Almighty Allah, by leading this worldly life inconsistency with the Divine Will and thereby achieve peace in this world and success in the life of the hereafter that will not be going to an end forever. Muslims look to the Noble Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet (SAW) as their moral guides. Allah says:
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
“And that [we] among us (are) the righteous and among us (are) other than that. We (are on) ways different.” (Surah Al-Jinn 72:11)
Allah has given this freedom to man because it is his test of how he will live his life that is according to the way that Allah described or the other that is evil. If you want a successful and happy life, then simply apply Islam to it, and you will have wonderful results. On the basic moral characteristics, Islam builds a higher system of morality. Islam generates kindness, generosity, mercy, sympathy, peace, and truthfulness towards all creation in all situations.
