Islam as a comprehensive way of life encompasses a complete moral system that is an important aspect of its world-view. 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.
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.
The Islamic moral system stems from its primary creed of belief in One God as the
![]() |
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Hadith)
|
From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship Allah, by leading this worldly life in harmony with the Divine Will, and thereby achieve peace in this world, and everlasting success in the life of the hereafter. Muslims look to the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet as their moral guides.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. (Al-Baqarah 2:177)
This verse underscores the Islamic belief that righteousness and piety are 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, Islam
enjoins moral behavior in all circumstances; Allah is aware of each one
when no one else is. It may be possible to deceive the world, but it’s
not possible to deceive the Creator.
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.
The Glorious Qur’an also says:
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.” (Al-A`araf 7:33)
It is interesting that the Glorious Qur’an refers to “sins and trespasses against truth or reason”. It is an indication of Allah’s blessing to every human being, of an innate moral sense. Such a moral sense, when not corrupted by family or society, is what leads people to commendable acts of virtue. Islam aims to enhance and amplify the moral sense in every human being and adorn the individual’s character with the noblest of virtues.
The Islamic moral principles therefore, appeal naturally to the human intellect, while
![]() |
The nations are not but by their ethics. If their ethics are gone they are gone.
|
Post a Comment
Click to see the code!
To insert emoticon you must added at least one space before the code.