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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 and does not oppose any maxims of the religion 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 “Virtuous Deeds”. This term covers all deeds, not only acts of
worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is God Himself.
The most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim are
piety and humility. A Muslim must be humble with God and with other people:
“And turn not your face away from people (with pride), nor
walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God 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.” (Quran 31:18-19)
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 God 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 God a sound heart.” (Quran: 26:88-89)
Principles of Morality in Islam
God 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 God
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 God, 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; God 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
God 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
God is the most pious.” (Quran 49:13)
Then come deeds of charity to others, especially giving
things we love. This, like acts of worship, prayers and Zakah (mandatory alms),
is 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 God 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 God) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who
pardon people; verily, God loves the doers of the good deeds.” (Quran 3:133)
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 God 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 God; 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, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon
him, 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.”
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