Morality fundamental source in Islam
Atif Noor Khan
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.” |
