Morality and Ethics in Islam
Social Order in Islam
Islam is a comprehensive way of life and morality is one of the
cornerstones Islam. Morality is one of the fundamental sources of a
nation's strength, just as immorality is one of the main causes of a
nation's decline. Islam has established some universal fundamental
rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed in all
circumstances. To uphold these rights, Islam has provided not only legal
safeguards, but also a very effective moral system. Thus, whatever leads
to the welfare of the individual or the society is morally good in
Islam, and whatever is harmful is morally bad.
Given its importance in a healthy society, Islam supports morality and
matters that lead to it, and stands in the way of corruption and matters
that lead to it. The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim is
"Al `Amal Assalih" or Virtuous Deeds. This term covers all deeds, not
only acts of worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is Allah (SWT)
Himself.
The most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim are piety and humility.
A Muslim must be humble with Allah and with other people: "And turn not
your face away from people (with pride), nor walk in insolence through
the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster. And be
moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice.
Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass."
Muslims must be in controls of their passions and desires.
A Muslim should not be vain or attached to the ephemeral pleasures of
this world. While most people allow the material world to fill their
hearts, Muslims should keep Allah (SWT) in their hearts and the material
world in their hand. Instead of being attached to the car and the job
and the diploma and the bank account, all these things become tools to
make us better people.
"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]
Principles of Morality in Islam
Allah (SWT) sums up righteousness in verse 177 of Surat Al Baqarah:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West;
but it is righteousness (the quality of ) the one who believes in Allah
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 the kinsfolk, to the
orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarer, to those who ask and for 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
are patient and perseverant in poverty and ailment and throughout all
periods of fighting. Such are the people of truth, the pious."
This verse teaches us that righteousness and piety is based before all
else on a true and sincere faith. The key to virtue and good conduct is
a strong relation with Allah, who sees all, at all times and everywhere.
He knows the secrets of the hearts and the intentions behind all
actions. Therefore, a Muslim must be moral in all circumstances; Allah
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 Allah and the Day of Judgment enables man to
be moral in conduct and sincere in intentions, with devotion and
dedication: "Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah
is the most pious."
Then come deeds of charity to others, especially giving things we love
mention the Hadith of lan tanaalu-lbirra hatta…. Acts of worship,
prayers and Zakah (mandatory alms), are an integral part of worship. A
righteous person must be reliable and trustworthy.
Finally, their faith must be firm and should not wane when faced with
adversity. Morality must be strong to vanquish corruption: "And Allah
loves those who are firm and steadfast." Patience is often hardest and
most beautiful when it's against one's own desires or anger: "And march
forth toward forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise as wide as are
the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious. Those who spend (in
the way of Allah) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and
who pardon people; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinûn (the doers of the
best deeds). “These three acts are among the hardest things for most
people, but they are also the key to forgiveness and to paradise. Are
they not the best, those who are able to exercise charity when they are
in need themselves, control when they are angry and forgiveness when
they are wronged?
This is the standard by which actions are judged as good or bad. By
making pleasing Allah the objective of every Muslim, Islam has set the
highest possible standard of morality.
Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim's life, from
greetings to international relations. It is universal in its scope and
in its applicability. Morality reigns in selfish desires, vanity and bad
habits. Muslims must not only be virtuous, but they must also enjoin
virtue. They must not only refrain from evil and vice, but they must
also forbid them. In other words, they must not only be morally healthy,
but they must also contribute to the moral health of society as a whole.
"You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men; you
enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah; and if
the followers of the Book had believed it would have been better for
them; of them (some) are believers and most of them are transgressors."
[Quran: 3:110]
The Prophet (PBUH) summarized the conduct of a Muslim when he said:
"My Sustainer has given me nine commands: to remain conscious of God,
whether in private or in public; to speak justly, whether angry or
pleased; to show moderation both when poor and when rich, to reunite
friendship with those who have broken off with me; to give to him who
refuses me; that my silence should be occupied with thought; that my
looking should be an admonition; and that I should command what is
right."
Source: www.whyislam.org