Welcome to Islam, - The Concept of Morals in Islam

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:-> Morals in Islam are the set of principles and guidelines that govern human conduct according to the divine revelation. This is so that man's life will be regulated in a way that perfectly achieves the goal behind his existence in this world. Thus, the Islamic system of morality is characterized by two distinctive facets: firstly, it has a divine nature, which means that it follows the will of Allaah The Almighty. Secondly, it coincides with our innate nature, which indicates that human beings exert an effort and play a role in practically determining that system, in part. This code of ethics aims at realizing a good life for mankind. It constitutes the best mode of behavior and manner of dealing with the self, Allaah The Almighty and society as a whole. In the Islamic moral system, the practical and theoretical aspects are integrated, as it is not only a part of Islam, but its essence and spirit, which comprises all its aspects. Thus, generally speaking, Islam is founded on its moral principles, which are the crux of the divinely revealed Messages. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“Verily, I was sent to perfect good manners.”]Ahmad[ Hence, the underlying reason of the message of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is to correct morals and spread all that is good. Furthermore, the goal of all divine Messages is similarly a moral one, for religion, itself, is ]possessing[ good manners. Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, connected faith and etiquette, because of its significance. When he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was asked about the best among the believers in terms of faith, he replied,“]He is[ the one who has the best manners among them.”]At-Tabaraani[ In fact, Islam considered faith as righteousness, as Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but ]true[ righteousness is ]in[ one who believes in Allaah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the prophets...{]Quran 2: 177[ And,“righteousness is having good manners”, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said. ]Muslim[ Therefore, righteousness encompasses all virtuous actions; it may also be defined as a comprehensive name for all forms of goodness. Since there is a relation between morals and faith, so, too are morals and worship linked. That is because worship is, in essence, a moral spirit, because it is a fulfillment of divine obligations. This is much more evident in relation to transactions, which constitute another aspect of the Islamic Sharee‘ah. Accordingly, we notice that all aspects of Islam are interconnected through a moral code for the attainment of a principled goal. Thus, ethics represent the core of Islam and its legislative system is an entity that embodies it. Conducts are of two kinds: the good, which is demonstrated by polite and virtuous manners, which result in noble words and deeds, according to reason and Sharee‘ah; and the bad, which presents in discourteousness and vice, and results in, what are logically and Islamically, evil speech and actions. It is only the former, then, which constitute the best means that enable people to win the love of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and attain closeness to him on the Day of Resurrection, as he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“The most beloved among you to me and the nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners.”]At-Tirmithi[ Morals in Islam are not based on, nor shaped by, doctrinal theories, personal interests or environmental factors. Rather, they flow from the spring of faith, whose light shines the soul and is reflected inside out. They are not independent virtues; instead, they represent rings linked together within a single chain. Consequently, the creed of a Muslim is ]steeped in[ morality and his Sharee’ah is morals; if he or she disconnects any of these chains, it will result in a violation of his or her faith. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:“When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, he is not a believer during ]that time[. And, when someone drinks alcohol, he is not a believer at the time of his drinking. And, when a thief steals, he is not a believer when he robs.”]Al-Bukhaari[ Similarly, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was asked, “Does the believer tell lies?” He replied in the negative and then recited the Saying of Allaah The Almighty )what means(:}They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the verses of Allaah, and it is those who are the liars.{]Quran 16: 105[ Good manners are the proof of Islam and its practical representation. The stronger the faith is, the sounder one’s manners. Therefore, morals are not forms of luxury that one can dispense with, because of changes in one's environment. They are not like a garment that a person wears when it is in style and then discards by the next season. Rather, they are as firm as the orbits in which planets move; they do not alter with the course of time, because they represent man’s Fitrah )natural inclination to truth(. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(,}]Adhere to[ the Fitrah of Allaah upon which He has Created ]all[ people. No change should there be in the creation of Allaah.{]Quran 30:30[

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