Morality and Ethics 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 most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim are piety and
humility. A Muslim must be humble with Allah and with other people.
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 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 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 and woman to be moral in
conduct and sincere in intentions, with devotion and dedication.
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.
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.
Quote from: bamalli on January 22, 2008, 11:41:41 AM
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.
True, true, true. Sadly though........not everyone is complete in all aspects of Islamic morality. Our moral culpability has been submerged with the infidelity of morality itself. Toh, dai, may Allah increase our deen/iman.