Morality and Ethics in Islam: Islamic Culture in Muslim Society(Moral Stories)

The word "morality" comes from the Latin word moralitas meaning
"manner, noble character and proper behavior". Morality generally
refers to a code of conduct, that an individual, group or society hold
as authoritative, in distinguishing right from wrong. Immorality is
the active opposition to morality, while amorality is not admitting of
moral distinctions or judgments; neither moral nor immoral or lacking
moral sensibility; not caring about right and wrong.
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that
addresses questions about morality that is, concepts such as good and
evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice, etc. Ethics in Islam
or True Islamic code of ethics provides basic concepts which gives
humanity a strong platform on which they can lay their lives according
to the teaching of Noble Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah.
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.
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 or a society. Those
who respond to this call are known as Muslims, which literally means
those who have submitted to God (Allah). The sole object of the
resulting community of Muslims ( Muslim Ummah) is the undertaking of
an organized effort to establish what is good and to fight and
eradicate what is evil and harmful.
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.
Hence, Morality is one of the cornerstones of Islam. Morality in Islam
has established some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a
whole, which are to be observed in all circumstances. 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. Thus, everything that leads to the welfare
of the individual and 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 Islamic moral principles therefore,
appeal naturally to the human intellect, while elevating the pursuit
of morality to the level of worship. This is because Islam holds every
action that is done with the goal of attaining of God's pleasure to be
worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is God Himself.
The concept of morality in Islam centers around certain basic beliefs
and principles. Among these are the following: (1) God is the Creator
and Sustainer of the Universe and Source of all goodness, truth and
beauty. (2) Man is a responsible, dignified and honorable agent of his
Creator. (3) God has put everything in the heavens and the earth in
the service of mankind. (4) By His Mercy and Wisdom, God does not
expect the impossible from man or hold him accountable for anything
beyond his power. Nor does God forbid man to enjoy the good things of
life. (5) Moderation, practicality and balance are the guarantees of
high integrity and sound morality. (6) All things are permissible in
principle except what is singled out as obligatory, which must be
observed, and what is singled out as forbidden, which must be avoided.
(7) Man's ultimate responsibility is to God and his highest goal is
the pleasure of his Creator.
From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship
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.
Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim's life, starting
with as simple as a smile that counts as charity all the way up to
defending the oppressed, from simple greetings to international
relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
Backbitingis a terrible vice in Noble Qur'an. Killing innocent is
strictly prohibited in Noble Qur'an. Women are equal to men in
humanity but they have different responsibilities.
A Muslim is expected to not only be virtuous, but to also enjoin
virtue. He/She must not only refrain from evil and vice, but must also
actively engage in asking people to eschew them. In other words, they
must not only be morally healthy, but must also contribute to the
moral health of society as a whole.
Some people who say they are acting in the name of religion may
misunderstand their religion or practice it wrongly. For this reason,
it is a mistake to form any idea of that religion from the activities
of these people. The best way to understand Islam is through its
authentic source.
The authentic source of Islam is Noble Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah;
and the model of morality in Noble Qur'an is completely different from
the image of it formed in the minds of some westerners. Noble Qur'an
is based on the concepts of morality, love, compassion, mercy,
modesty, self-sacrifice, tolerance and peace and a Muslim who truly
lives according to these moral precepts is highly refined, thoughtful,
tolerant, trustworthy and accommodating. To those around him he gives
love, respect, peace of mind and a sense of the joy of life.
All this shows that the moral teaching offered to humanity by Islam is
one that will bring peace, prosperity, happiness and justice to the
world. The barbarism that is happening in the world today under the
name of "Islamic Terrorism" is completely removed from the moral
teachings of Noble Qur'an; it is the work of ignorant, criminals who
have nothing to do with religion.
On this Moral Stories website, we have listed a large collection of
moral stories covering different aspects of Morality and Ethics in
Islam or Islamic Morals and Practices. These moral stories cover the
broad spectrum of a Muslim's personal moral conduct as well as their
social responsibilities.