"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.
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