Islam attaches so much importance to one s love of God and love of fellow human
beings that it discourages excessive formalism. We read in the Qur'an:
This is the standard by which a particular mode of conduct can be classified as
either good or bad. It also provides the nucleus around which an individual's as
well as a societies moral code should revolve. Before laying down any moral
injunctions, Islam seeks to implant firmly in man's heart the conviction that his
dealings are with God, who sees him at all times and in all places. While he may
hide himself from others or deceive them, he cannot do so with God. Islam teaches
that the objective of one's life is to live a life that is pleasing to God. To
make such a goal possible,
Islam has provided mankind with the highest possible standard of morality This
moral code, which is both straightforward and practical, provides the individual
with innumerable ways to embark upon and then continue the path of moral
evolution. By making divine revelation the primary source of knowledge, moral
standards are made permanent and stable. This does not make them inflexible,
however, for there is room for reasonable adjustment and adaptation when needed.
The danger of moral relativism, now so widespread in many societies, is thereby
avoided. Another benefit is the gradual internalization of these moral standards,
for one seeks to obey them voluntarily to please God, not because some government
or people tell him to do so. An individual's belief in God, when added to his
belief in the Day of Judgment, is a powerful motivating factor for one to live a
highly moral life.
Islam does not provide any novel moral virtues, nor does it seek to minimize the
importance of traditional and commonly accepted moral norms or give exaggerated
importance to some and neglect others. The Islamic moral code incorporates all of
the commonly accepted moral virtues and then endows them with a sense of balance
and proportion by assigning each one a suitable place and function in the total
scheme of life. It widens the scope of man's individual and collective life by
dealing with his domestic associations, his civic conduct, and his activities in
the political, economic, legal, educational, and social realms. It covers his
life from the home to the society, from the dining table to the battlefield and
peace conferences-in short, from the cradle to the grave-for no sphere of life is
exempt from the universal and comprehensive application of the moral principles
of Islam. It makes morality reign supreme and ensures that the affairs of life
are regulated by moral norms and not dominated by selfish desires and petty
interests.
A major goal of Islam is to provide mankind with a practical and realistic system
of life based on good by which he can conduct his life. It calls upon mankind not
only to practice virtue but to establish it and to eradicate all that is harmful.
It seeks the supremacy of one's conscience in all matters, so that what is
harmful cannot gain the upper hand in either an individual's or a society's life.
Those who respond to this call are known as Muslims, which literally means those
who have submitted to God. The sole object of the resulting community of Muslims
(the ummah ) is the undertaking of an organized effort to establish what is good
and to fight and eradicate what is evil and harmful.
Several of Islam's basic moral teachings are given below. They cover the broad
spectrum of a Muslim's personal moral conduct as well as his social
responsibilities.
The Qur'an mentions God-consciousness as the highest quality of a Muslim: The
most honorable among you in the sight of God is the one who is most
God-conscious. (49:13) Humility modesty control of passions and desires,
truthfulness, integrity, patience, steadfastness, and fulfilling one's
promises-all of these are moral values that are mentioned manyh times in the
Qur'an: And God loves those who are firm and steadfast (3:14Q. The Qur'an also
tells Muslims:
Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear
patiently whatever may befall you;for this is true constancy And do not swell
your (cheek with puce) at men, nor walk in insolence on the earth, for God does
not love any man proud and boastful. And be moderate in your pace and lower your
voice;for the harshest of sounds, indeed, is the braying of the ass. (31:18-19)
The teachings of Islam concerning social responsibilities are based on kindness
and consideration for others. So that these broad injections will not be ignored
in specific situations, Islam stresses specific acts of kindness and defines the
responsibilities and rights that belong to various relationships. Our first
obligation is to our immediate family-parents, spouse, and children, then to
other relatives, neighbors, friends and acquaintances, orphans and widows, the
needy of the community, our fellow Muslims, our fellow human beings and animals.
Parents
Respect and care for parents is a very important part of a Muslims expression of
faith.
Thus, on the basic moral plane, Islam provides mankind with a higher system of
morality that can be used by an individual to realize his greatest potential.
Islam purifies the soul of self-seeking egotism, tyranny, wantonness, and lack of
discipline. It creates God-fearing men who are devoted to their ideals, motivated
by piety, abstinence, and discipline, and unable to make any compromise with
falsehood. It induces feelings of moral responsibility and fosters the capacity
for self-control. Islam generates kindness, generosity, mercy, sympathy, peace,
disinterested goodwill, scrupulous fairness, and truthfulness towards all
creation in all situations. It nourishes noble qualities from which only good may
be expected.
God-Consciousness
And vie with one another to attain your Sustainer's forgiveness and a Paradise as
vast as the heavens and the earth, which awaits the God conscious, who spend for
charity in time of plenty and in time of hardship, and restrain their anger and
pardon their fellow men, for God loves those who do good. (3:133134)
The moral behavior of a committed Muslim can be summarized by the following
statement of the Prophet:
My Sustainer has given me nine commands: to remain c conscious of God in private
and in public; to speak justly whether angry or pleased; to show moderation when
poor or rich; to re kindle friendship with those who have broken it 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.
Social Responsibilities
Your Sustainer has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to
parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life-time, do not say
to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor
and, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: My Sustainer!
Bestow on them Your mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood. (17:23-24)
Other Relatives
And render to the relatives their due rights, as (also) to those in need, and to
the traveler; and do not squander your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift.
(7:26)
Neighbors
The Prophet said: "He is not a believer who eats his fill when his neighbor
beside him is hungry" and "He does not believe whose neighbors are not safe from
his injurious conduct."
Actually, according to the Qur'an and example of the Prophet, a Muslim has to
discharge his moral responsibility not only to his parents, relatives, and
neighbors but to all mankind, animals, and useful trees and plants. For example,
the hunting of birds and animals for sport is not permitted. Similarly, cutting
trees and plants that yield fruit is forbidden unless there is a very pressing
need for one to do so.