Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its worldview. We live in an age where good and evil are often looked at as relative concepts. Islam however, holds that moral positions are not relative, and instead, defines a universal standard by which actions may be deemed moral or immoral. People of today think of Quran as only a Book that contains guidelines that are pertinent to performing religious rituals only and there is nothing else in it. Allah says:
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Thus, We have ordained a law (shari’a) upon you in the matter, so follow it and do not follow the whims of those who know not.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:18)
Islamic moral values bestow freedom from worldly values and all forms of dependence felt toward other people. A believer with such moral values seeks the approval of Allah, not that of other people. He fears Allah alone and knows that all things are under His control. Fear leads him to scrupulously adhere to the bounds set by Allah and silences all excuses proffered by worldly desires. Allah says:
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
“Then called him the Angels when he (was) standing – praying in the prayer chamber. “Indeed, Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya, confirming [of] a Word from Allah and a noble and chaste and a Prophet among the righteous.” (Surah Al-Al-Imran 3:39)
The fact of the matter is that in Quran Allah Almighty has given complete guidelines and told humanity about whatever they want to know about this universe in general and the way of living life in particular. Islam puts great emphasis on the height of characters and for this purpose, it encourages the followers to adopt good moral qualities in their lives.
Here are some sources of good morals and values in Islam:
- Islam promotes being kind and good toward all
- Islam insists Muslims be in control of desires
- Islam deals with parents in the best manner
- Islam covers his life at home and in society
- Islam helps the oppressed and concerned
- Islam provides an effective moral system
- Islam set life which is free from all evil
- Islam forbid to attack other religions
- Islam has love and fear of Allah
- Islam becomes the real motives
- Islam ensures that the affairs of life
- Islam treats all people in a fair manner
- Islam teaches that ultimately be judged
- Islamic culture is how we should behave
- Islam takes care of orphans and the poor
- Islam has feared Allah and spoke the truth
- Islam does not base our knowledge on evil
- Islam also furnishes good and evil conduct
- Islam gives equal treatment to other religions
- Islam respects the rights of those who are absent
Islam’s moral system is striking in that it not only defines morality but also guides the human race in how to achieve it, at both an individual as well as a collective level. Morality or the propagation of moral values is a major aspect of Islam. People of today think of Quran as only a Book that contains guidelines that are pertinent to performing religious rituals only and there is nothing else in it. Share such incidents from your life experiences to acquaint your child with those morals. Allah says:
وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ
“And not it is granted except (to) those who (are) patient and not it is granted except (to the) owner (of) fortune great.” (Surah Fussilat 41:35)
Islam puts great emphasis on the height of characters and for this purpose, it encourages the followers to adopt good moral qualities in their lives. Muslims look to the Glorious Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet as their moral guides. Put the Moral values into practical ways to be humble by talking politely to others, helping someone needy, avoiding bragging about their good deeds, etc. Allah says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“And He (is) the One Who (has) made you successors (of) the earth and raised some of you above others (in) ranks, so that He may test you in what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord (is) swift (in) the punishment, and indeed, He (is) [certainly], Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Al-Anam 6:165)
Since Islam is a complete lifestyle, it provides a comprehensive set of ethics for its believers. Allah’s Prophet’s personality was an embodiment of perfect moral values and is an example for all Muslims in all the times to come. Human beings are blessed with wisdom and free will and are given a status above that of all other living beings. On the basis of these blessings, humans are expected to live a life conforming to moral and ethical values. If everyone follows morality in its best form, the world will become a much better place to live.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “Allah knows what your hearts contain.” (Quran, 3:119)
- “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Quran, 68:4)
- “Those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Only in the remembrance of Allah can the heart find peace.” (Quran, 13:28)
- “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart.” (Quran: 26:88-89)
- “Say: Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for God, the Lord of the worlds.” (Quran 6:162)
- “You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend (in charity) out of those things which you love.” (Quran 3:91)
- “And (Allah gave to the Soul) its enlightenment as to its wrong and it’s right…” (Quran, 91:8)
- “And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” (Al-`Ankabut 26:45)
A believer is to have the quality of patients in his character because it is the quality that comes in handy in almost every aspect of life. When one is patient, only then does he endure the hardships of life without losing faith, it is with patience that he develops good relations with others and it is with patience that he bears the ease and comfort of others before himself. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ فِي الصَّالِحِينَ
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds We will surely admit them among the righteous.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:9)
The moral value of sincere and obedient worship of Allah. Being a Muslim a person ought to worship Allah Almighty and the five times a day prayers are an obligation as well, however, people consider prayers or any form of worship as a duty and perform it mechanically. Moral bedtime stories on topics such as honesty, justice, being helpful, etc., are good, but sharing positive real-life experiences is even better. Allah says:
أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَن لَّن يُخْرِجَ اللَّهُ أَضْغَانَهُمْ
“Or do think those who in their hearts (is) a disease that never will Allah bring forth their hatred?” (Surah Muhammad 47:29)
A Muslim is expected to not only be virtuous but to also enjoin virtue. Muslims must have upright and strong moral and ethical values because Islam is not only about worshipping Allah but also about treating His creations well and living exemplary life in this world. Set a good example, such as honesty, humility, responsibility, and compassion. Allah says:
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Say, “Indeed, my prayer, and my rites of sacrifice, and my living, and my dying (are) for Allah, Lord (of) the worlds.” (Surah Al-An`am 6:162)
People with sound hearts, according to the Quran, have faith in Allah, observe the limits and prohibitions that He has established, and submit to Him fully. In the Islamic sense, there is no other form of a sound heart, for the Qur’an defines a person with a sound heart as someone who constantly brings Allah to mind and feels at peace with His remembrance. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ فِي الصَّالِحِينَ
“And those who believe and do righteous deeds We will surely admit them among the righteous.” (Surah Al-`Ankabut 29:9)
Works as a moral compass that helps them stay off the negative influence of peers, social media, or society in general, as they grow into teens or adults. In short, a Muslim has to work upon his moral character. The better values a Muslim incorporates in his character, the better and practising Muslim he becomes and it is on the basis of this moralist practice of Islam that he will be among the blessed ones, both in this world and in the world Hereafter.
