God, 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 Noble Qur'an and the Traditions
of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as their moral guides. Muslims believe
that true happiness occurs when you are God-conscious and submissive
to God's will. Freedom is freedom from human desires and man-made
ideals. Through prayer and fasting, self-discipline and self-control
become a focus of many Muslims. This also is a foundation for human
dignity.
Almighty Allah (SWT) sums up righteousness in verse 177 of Surat Al
Baqarah as follows:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and
the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah
and the last day and the angels and the Book and the prophets, and
give away wealth out of love for Him to the near of kin and the
orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the
emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay the
poor-rate; and the performers of their promise when they make a
promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of
conflicts - these are they who are true (to themselves) and these are
they who guard (against evil)." (Noble Qur'an, 2:177)
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, Islam enjoins moral behavior in all
circumstances; God 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 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." (Noble Qur'an, 49:13)
The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim is what Noble
Qur'an refers to as virtuous deeds. This term covers all deeds, not
just the outward acts of worship.
Some of the most primary character traits expected of a Muslim are
piety, humility and a profound sense of accountability to God. A
Muslim is expected to be humble before God and with other people.
Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control of their
passions and desires. Gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity,
and the courage to uphold the truth, even when inconvenient to
oneself, are just some of the qualities that every Muslim is
encouraged to cultivate.
Islam warns against vanity and excessive attachment to the ephemeral
pleasures of this world. While it is easy to allow the material world
to fill our hearts, Islam calls upon human beings to keep God in their
hearts and to use the material world in moderation and in accordance
with God's guidance. The Glorious Qur'an says:
"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will
prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart." ( Noble Qur'an:
26:88-89)
Charityis one of the most commendable acts in Islam. In fact, Zakah,
the annual charity that is obligatory on every Muslim who has accrued
wealth above a certain level.
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