Morality in Islam encompasses the concept of righteousness, good character, and the body of moral qualities and virtues prescribed in Islamic religious texts. The moral values mentioned in the Quran are pertaining to almost all aspects of life, ranging from modesty in walking to honesty in business, from being kind & dutiful to parents to taking care of animals and plants, and from being good to neighbours to treating wives well. Allah says:

إِنَّ مِنْ أَكْمَلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا وَأَلْطَفُهُمْ بِأَهْلِهِ

“Verily, the believers with the most complete faith are those with the most excellent character and who are most kind to their families.” (Al-Tirmidhī 2612)

Morality and moral values are phenomena that are universally applicable to all humans. The principle and fundamental purpose of Islamic morality is love: love for God and love for God’s creatures. Righteousness is the most appreciated aspect of a believer. The religious conception is that mankind will behave morally and treat each other in the best possible manner to please God. Allah says:

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِي إِذَا دَعَانِ

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me…” (Surah Baqarah 2:186)

Morality guarantees harmony in society and the absence of morality brings society to the verge of chaos and disharmony. Teachings on morality and moral conduct constitute a major part of Islamic literature. The aim of morality is to achieve the spiritual perfections and the highest position of human perfection that is determined for him at the beginning of creation. The Quran and the Hadith the central religious texts of Islam serve as the primary source for these teachings.

Here are some moral and ethical values in Islam:

1. Morality boosts the direction of wisdom, justice and chastity
2. Morality enables us to understand good deeds easily
3. Morality in Islam is based on the axis of self-analysis
4. Morality judges whether the actions are good or bad
5. Morality purifies humans from any weakness
6. Morality is concerned with righteous beliefs
7. Morality teaches control of their desires 
8. Morality is the modifier of human desire
9. Morality is a key to entering Paradise
10. Morality ensures the affairs of life
11. Morality set life which is free from all evil
12. Morality teaches control of their passions
13. Morality provides an effective moral system
14. Morality shows the true character of a Muslim
15. Moral values are the essence of worship itself
16. Morality leads to the highest level of moral traits
17. Moral values in Islam are to build a good character 
18. Morality is the booster of a human’s spiritual dimension
19. Morality ensures the enforcement of laws and regulations
20. Moral values lie within many of the basic principles of Islam

The morality of individuals is highly demanded by the parents, society and the nation as a whole. 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 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)

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. Both the Quran and the hadith often instruct Muslims to adopt a morally upright character. Showing kindness to people and charity to the poor and the helpless are the most emphasized moral virtues in the Quran. Morality deals with the human’s optional behaviour and moods and it has a specific attraction for him and the human has looked at it respectfully. Allah says:

الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا

“The wealth and children (are) adornment (of) the life (of) the world. But the enduring good deeds (are) better near your Lord (for) reward and better (for) hope.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46 )

The human’s bliss in both worlds depends on his perfections. “To achieve the goal” and “redemption from dependencies” that was stated in Quran show the aim of morality. In particular, helping people in their time of need, forgiving others’ offences, respecting parents and elders, fulfilling promises, being kind to people and to animals, being patient in adversity, maintaining justice, being honest, and controlling one’s anger appears as major virtues in the Islamic concept of morality.

Quran has considered morality from the personal, civil and political perspectives:

• Quran has explained the moral issues in all dimensions of human life
• Quran has the theoretical, and practical training and builds a system
• Quran has a high place of morality in the aims of religion
• Quran organize all human life behaviour in this world
• Quran, morality, bliss, moral teachings, purification
• Quran is a big moral book for all the humanity
• Quran has shown the way to achieve this goal
• Quran improves human’s moral issues practically 
• Quranic moral teaching is the most significant parts
• Quran look at the moral teachings from all perspective
• Quran teach self-purification and human high values indicate
• Quran expanded invitations and focuses on the moral construction

Morality is so respectful that those who lack this specification have a respectful look at those who own the morality specification. Morality is the human leader that adorns him with good traits and moral virtues. In fact, morality defines human behaviour and thought. In other words, morality is aimed at developing the self. A brave and generous human has a much greater spirit than a coward, arrogant one. Allah says:

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ

“It is He Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth to exalt it over every other deen, even though the associates detest it.” (Surah At-Tawba, 9;33)

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. 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. The moral establishment of human life has a conceptual basis; the formation of society and the advent of human civilizations.

The Quranic moral values put great emphasis on the height of the characters:

• “Allah knows what your hearts contain.” (Quran, 3:119)
• “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Quran, 68:4)
• “And God loves those who are firm and steadfast.” (Quran 3:146)
• “And verily, you O Mohammad are on an exalted character.” (Quran 68:4)
• “And on God should you rely on and trust if you are believers.” (Quran 5:23)
• “O you who believe! Repent towards God sincere repentance.” (Quran 66:8)
• “O You who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and be with the truthful.” (Quran 9:119)
• “O you who believe! fear the wrath of God, and say only that which is true.” (Quran 33:70)

Quran has considered morality from the personal, civil and political perspectives and has explained the moral issues in all dimensions of human life. 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 an exemplary life in this world, Allah says:

وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ

“Your God is one God. There is no God but Him, the Gracious, the Merciful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:163)

The moral system of Islam facilitates individuals to distinguish between right and wrong, good or bad and helps them live their lives accordingly. The character building of individuals lays the foundation of the character of the society and nation. One cannot expect to be a productive and valuable member of society without good moral character. Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْفِرْدَوْسِ نُزُلًا

“Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be Gardens (of) the Paradise (as) a lodging,” (Ṣurah Al-Kahf 18:107 )

Therefore, morality is the essence of all-natural and acquisitive values and the essence of prophets’ divine teachings. Despite the dignity that knowledge has in this field, it is only a tool, a necessity, an insight, a faith, a passage, morality, practice and the final destination. May Allah give us the strength to live our lives according to the teachings of Almighty Allah.