For children, - Morality and Ethics in Islam: Islamic Culture in Muslim Society(Moral Stories)

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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.

Islamic Marriage Articles, - Marriage Ceremony in Islam: the Basics

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The Wali:
Awali(guardian) of the bride is necesssary to represent her in concluding the contract. The wali is a male relative who would be her guardian if she were a minor, for example her father. However, if he is not available, a brother, uncle, grandfather etc. will suffice. If none of these exist then a Muslim ruler or judge, and if they do not exist then a prominent leader of the Muslim community (seeFiqh us sunnah, Syed Sabiq, Sar al-Kitab al Arabi, Beirut, 2nd ed, 1973, vol 2 page 120).
"No marriage contract is valid without a wali." - Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood
"A woman may not act for another in concluding a marriage contract, and a woman may not conclude her own marriage contract." - Ibn Majah and Daraqutni
The Offer and Acceptance:
Both offer and acceptance must be explicit in mentioning the word marriage (or any other word in any language implying a similar situation). Both statements should be made at the same sitting, i.e. one party to the other.
The Bride's Agreement:
The bride must be agreeable to concluding the marriage by her wali. This agreement should be specific to marrying a specific man and all other conditions, if any, must be agreed upon also.
The Witnesses:
At least two Muslim male witnesses are required or one male and two females - all of them having reached the age of puberty and being of good character.
The Sadaq:
TheSadaqorMahr(dower) is a required marriage gift given by the groom to the bride. It represents his commitment to take care of all the family expenses including her personal needs…"And give women their dower as a free gift."(surah 4 verse 4)
Sadaq may be money or in kind, but it should be specified in its kind and quantity. It may be paid in full at the time of the marriage contract, or postposed until a definite or indefinite date in the future. That which is deferred becomes due upon divorce. The value of Sadaq can be anything from $1 upward (and must be agreed upon by both parties).
The Procedure:
1.Witnesses and guests take their seats.
2.The wali of the bride and the groom sit facing each other, close to the witnesses so that they can be seen and heard by the witnesses.
3.A learned man delivers a short ceremonial speech (see the khutbah at the end of this article).
4.Then the wali of the bride addresses the groom with the following words or something similar:
"In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Mercy giving, Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and Prayer and Peace be upon the Prophet Muhammed, his family and the companions.
I marry to you my daughter (sister/niece etc - mention the full name) whom I represent, in accordance with Islamic Law and the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and for the Sadaq agreed between us." (details of the sadaq and method of payment may be mentioned).
The groom answers:
In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Mercy giving, Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and Prayer and Peace be upon the Prophet Muhammed, his family and the companions.
I accept to marry the woman you represent, in accordance with Islamic Law and the tradition of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and for the Sadaq agreed between us." (details of the sadaq and method of payment may be mentioned).
[This offer and acceptance should be declared in the presence of the witnesses, Allah is the best of witnesses. By this the marriag eis concluded and the bride and groom become husband and wife].
5.To make the marriage publically it is reccomended to have a walimah. The Prophet (pbuh) saw a trace of yellow colouring on Abd al Rahman and asked,"What is this?"He answered, I got married. The Prophet (pbuh) said,"May Allah make it a blesing for you. Make a walimah even with only a sheep."- Bukhari, Muslim and others.
6.The best way to congratulate the bride and the groom is to say:"May Allah make it a blessing for you and a blessing to you together with all that is good."- Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood
The Marriage Khutbah:
[This is not essential; the mariage will be legal without it; however, it is Sunnah to have a Khutbah].
Praise be to Almighty Allah, the Sustainer of the Worlds Whom we ask help and pardon. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils within ourselves and from our evil actions. He whom Allah guides no one can lead astray and he who He leaves in error has no one to guide him. I testify that there is no diety but Allah and that Muhammed is His servant and His messenger.
Almighty Allah has created humanity, male and female, each in need of another, and has established the institution of marriage as a means of uniting the souls in a blessed bond of love leading to their pleasure and happiness in a way advantageous to humankind.
The Quran says,"It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for your Lord has power (over all things). "(25:54)
And He reminds us of His great favours:"And among His signs is that He created for you of yourselves spouses that you may live in joy with them, and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for those who reflect."(30:22)
And Peace and Blessing be upon His great and beloved Prophet and last Messenger Muhammed, who emphatically urged Muslims to marry. He said:"Young men, those of you who can afford to marry should do so. Marriage is the best check for lustful eyes and an effective help to maintain chastity."
Brothers and sisters, at this auspicious moment, we are uniting in the bond of marriage and obedience to the guidance of our Creator and in obdeience to the practice of our beloved Prophet (pbuh), our brother (his name) and sister (her name) who have decided to live together as husband and wife, sheltered with the blessings of Almighty Allah and His divine Benevolence. May Allah fill their lives with joy and may He grant them peace, health and prosperity. May they always live together in an atmosphere eof tranquility and never diminishing love and tender regard for each other.

Islamic Marriage Articles, - Planning Your Wedding: The 10 Biggest Pre-Wedding Mistakes

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Even the smartest, most on-top-of-things couple can make mistakes during wedding planning. Here are the 10 things you should keep an eye on before saying I do.
1. Blowing off your budget
It costs a lot of money to put on a wedding. Many excited brides start booking vendors and making purchases without having a real budget, and then they're shocked to discover they've spent all of their money (or their parents' money) and still don't have half the things they need. If you bounce checks, don't have the money to pay your deposits, or make your final payments past your vendors' deadlines, your wedding will not happen as you have planned. The flowers won't be delivered, your cake will not be decorated, and the band will not play all night -- unless you pay up. Planning a wedding is serious business. Make a budget and keep track of your expenditures.
2. Ordering the wedding gown and/or bridesmaid dresses late
If going for a traditional bridal gown, brides need to place their orders six to eight months before their weddings. Most gowns are made to order; if you wait too long before your wedding date to make your selection, the gown simply may not be ready in time. Bridesmaid dresses should also be decided upon during the same time period, but only after the gown has been selected. You want to make sure your ladies have enough time to get measured and find accessories.
3. Procrastinating on that prenuptial...
It is a reality these days that people -- even brides -- have assets they want to protect. (This is particularly prevalent now that there are so many second marriages where a bride or groom may have children to whom they want their assets to go in case of death.) Leaving the discussion of a prenuptial agreement until the week before the wedding is a sure-fire way to increase the stress level by ten thousand percent -- and endanger the impending marriage. So deal with this potentially sticky issue months in advance( Zawaj.com Editor: this applies equally to any provision that the groom or bride may want to include in the marriage contract).
4. Messing up the marriage license
There are so many rules around marriage licenses that brides are bound to make mistakes. Be sure to investigate time restrictions well in advance of your wedding date. Get your license 31 days before in some states -- and you won't be able to legally marry on your wedding day because it may be valid for only 30 days. Go for your license the day before your wedding and you may not get it in time, because some states have a 48-hour waiting period. Another common mess-up if you're remarrying is not having official divorce papers in time to get the certificate.
5. Booking guest hotel rooms too late
Brides often leave blocking out hotel rooms for out-of-town guests until the last minute. If you're marrying in a city (particularly one where conventions take place) or in a resort town and you don't investigate hotel availability in advance, you can literally end up with not a single room for any of your guests to stay in. Your wedding might go on -- but no one will be able to attend. Reserve a room block as early as possible, up to a year in advance.
6. Inviting too many guests
Make sure your guest list and your reception site match numbers-wise. You can't invite 400 people assuming only 250 will RSVP with a yes -- because if 300 happen to say yes, you may have to turn 50 away at the door. Sites can't just add 10 more tables, as fire laws limit the maximum number of people in any room at one time. To avoid this, assume eighty percent will respond yes and limit your guest list accordingly.
7. Last-minute beauty blunders
Many brides think that scheduling chemical peels the week before their weddings will leave their skin looking angelic on their big days. Others think having their teeth bleached within days of their weddings will leave those pearly whites sparkling. Thinking of tanning the day before your wedding? Think again: You may end up with blisters instead of sun-kissed skin. Last-minute beauty treatments can lead to breakouts, mistakes, or -- even worse -- serious infections. Start a long-term beauty regimen months before the big day and focus on natural and common-sense measures such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, or you could risk ruining all the hard work you've done to make your wedding -- and photos -- perfect. (Never mind putting your health and happiness at risk for the most important day of your life.)
8. Underpaying postage on invites
You'd be surprised how many brides just stick a stamp on their invites and drop them in a letterbox. All but a few wedding invitations require additional postage. The postal service will not take pity on you -- your invites will be returned (and rubber-stamped with that ugly "insufficient postage" message) -- and it will take at least two weeks (never mind the additional $$) to get them back out the door. Be sure to get one complete invitation weighed at the post office before purchasing all your stamps.
9. Ignoring religious restrictions
If you plan on marrying in a house of worship, you need to abide by the rules. Wearing inappropriate attire or not completing pre-wedding requirements is grounds for your officiant to stop your wedding before it begins. As soon as you get engaged, be sure to contact your house of worship to find out about any potential issues. Some houses of worship won't let you marry on certain holy dates; make sure to check your wedding date with your officiant before putting down any deposits for your reception site or vendors.
10. Ignoring weather warnings
Brides marrying outdoors often test fate and just wish for the best when it comes to bad weather. Always have a backup plan -- you may not have a place to marry at all, or your guests (and you) may be in misery at the hands of Mother Nature. Temperatures normally around the balmy 70-degree mark may unexpectedly turn into a boiling 100-degree debacle; be sure to have outdoor air-conditioning. A hurricane, flashflood, or gale force winds may visit on your wedding day; make sure you have an interior alternative or a tent as a back-up location.

Islamic Marriage Articles, - South African Couples Draw Up Own Marriage Contracts

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Negotiating Issues in the Marriage Contract
In South Africa, some Muslim couples are no longer just signing the nikkah register to solemnise their marriage in Islam. They choose instead to negotiate and sign their very own marriage or nikkah contract.
The couples at three recent weddings attended by this reporter each did it differently. While one of the couples decided to enter into a civil contract, the other two couples took a personal interest in their marriage contract as opposed to leaving it to a theological group. They had negotiated on issues regarding matrimonial property regime, the divorce process, custody, polygamy, sexual relationship and even relations with in-laws. This they did taking the Shari’ah and their personal circumstances and needs into consideration.
Although uncertain about its legal status, they felt that they at least will have some common understanding of their rights and obligations. al-Qalam has since learnt that the Muslim marriage contract is now recognised by the law.
According to Maulana Mohammed Saeed of the Jamiatul Ulema Transvaal, signing the traditional marriage register confirms the solemnising of the marriage contract. It is not a specific contract negotiated between the partners. Such a contract that regulates their marriage is separate.
Marriage Contract is New Concept for South African Muslims
While the concept of a marriage contract for most South African Muslims is foreign, having a marriage contract spelling out the terms of marriage was not an unusual concept during the early Muslim era as evidenced by Sukayna bint Husayn, the great granddaughter of the Prophet (s) and A'isha bint Talha, the niece of A'isha (r.a.).
Presently, many Muslim countries, including Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia and even where Muslim are in the minority like India have some kind of marriage contract that couples enter into. In some of these countries marriage laws are continually reformed. According to a report by Times of India, "The All India Muslim Personal Law Board will soon release a marriage contract which will revolutionise the status of married Muslim women." Reforms around mehr, triple talaq and polygamy had been included.
In South Africa, however, Muslim marriages were not recognised by the law, so issues of dissolution, custody and maintenance were taken to an informal judiciary, usually a theological body, to be resolved. The result was a sometimes messy process, which left couples uncertain and insecure.
The Experiences of Three Couples
Al-Qalam spoke to two couples who had recently chosen to negotiate and sign a marriage contract.
Mohammed felt that the present process was inadequate, and that there was a need to spell out certain provisions in the contract to protect his and his wives rights. His wife Farhana became aware that terms and conditions could be stipulated in a marriage contract from her readings of Islamic history. For her it was important to set the boundaries of their relationship, and state from the very outset what their positions there were on various issues, and what the partners understood their responsibilities to be.
Ruwaida also negotiated a marriage contract. She first heard about the existence of such a thing in Jordan, she felt it was needed to avoid problems in the future, and it was also important so that other people could become aware that there were other ways of securing their rights within a marriage.
While her husband was uncertain about the necessity for such a contract, believing that the Shari’ah takes care of the marriage contract, he nevertheless agreed to enter into a personalised contract.
Farhana and Ruwaida felt strongly that signing a marriage contract was important for women who have had to face the brunt of unfair rulings on the part of some ‘ulama.
Another Muslim couple that al-Qalam spoke to decided not to negotiate their own marriage contract, and opted for the South African civil marriage instead. For them it was unnecessary to re-negotiate what was already in law, although they admitted there was a gender bias in custody rulings. Their understanding of marriage contracts was that it was a tool used in early stages of Islamic history, when there was no legislation in place to deal with marital disputes.
This new innovation, while lauded by some, has been criticised by others. One Maulana felt that while it might be a good idea to draw up the marriage contract in this way, the contract was inadequate in that it was not possible for it to deal with issues important in a marriage like justice with rahmah, fikr, and love. Mohammed faced criticism at his wedding when one guest greeted him after the nikah and told him that the contract was "a whole lot of hog-wash."