MORALS IN ISLAM

Many times we hear the statement "Islam is not just a religion but a way of life." The following article gives an explanatin of this statement.

Islam has laid down for humanity universal fundamental rights that are to be observed and respected under all circumstances. So that these rights can be realized in one's daily and social life, Islam provides both legal safeguards and a very effective moral system in belief, whatever improves the well-being of an individual or a society is morally good, and whatever harms this well-being is morally bad.
Islam attaches so much importance to one's love of God and love of fellow human beings that it discourages excessive formalism. We read in the Qur'an:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers, to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayers, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing. (2:177)

A Muslim's aim is to remain firm in their religion at all times and in all circumstances. In this context, Islam seeks to implant firmly in man's heart the conviction that his dealings are with God, who sees him at all times and in all places. While he may hide himself from others or deceive them, he cannot do so with God.

The Islamic moral code incorporates all of the commonly accepted moral virtues and then endows them with a sense of balance and proportion by assigning each one a suitable place and function in the total scheme of life. It widens the scope of man's individual and collective life by dealing with his domestic associations, his civic conduct, and his activities in the political, economic, legal, educational, and social realms. It covers his life from the home to the society, from the dining table to the battlefield and peace conferences -- in short, from the cradle to the grave -- for no sphere of life is exempt from the universal and comprehensive application of the moral principles of Islam. It makes morality reign supreme and ensures that the affairs of life are regulated by moral norms and not dominated by selfish desires and petty interests.

Several of Islam's basic moral teachings are given below. They cover the broad spectrum of a Muslim's personal moral conduct as well as his social responsibilities.

God Consciousness

The Quran mentions God consciousness as the highest quality of a Muslim, and humility, modesty, control of passions and desires, truthfulness, integrity, patience, steadfastness, and fulfilling one's promises, all of these are moral values that are mentioned many times. The Quran also tells Muslims:

And vie with one another to attain your Sustainer's forgiveness and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which awaits the God conscious, who spend for charity in time of plenty and in time of hardship, and restrain their anger and pardon their fellow men, for God loves those who do good. (3:133134)

Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear patiently whatever may befall you;for this is true constancy And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence on the earth, for God does not love any man proud and boastful. And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds, indeed, is the braying of the ass. (31:17-19)


Social Responsibilities

The teachings of Islam concerning social responsibilities are based on kindness and consideration for others. So that these broad injections will not be ignored in specific situations, Islam stresses specific acts of kindness and defines the responsibilities and rights that belong to various relationships. Our first obligation is to our immediate family -- parents, spouse, and children -- then to other relatives, neighbors, friends and acquaintances, orphans and widows, the needy of the community, our fellow Muslims, our fellow human beings and animals.

Parents

Respect and care for parents is a very important part of a Muslims expression of faith. The Quran states:

Your Sustainer has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life-time, do not say to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor and, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: My Sustainer! Bestow on them Your mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood. (17:23-24)

Other Relatives

The Quran tells Muslims : And render to the relatives their due rights, as (also) to those in need,and to the traveler and do not squander your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift. (17:26)

Neighbors

The Prophet said: "He is not a believer who eats his fill when his neighbor beside him is hungry," and "He does not believe whose neighbors are not safe from his injurious conduct."

Actually, according to the Qur'an and example of the Prophet (pbuh), a Muslim has to discharge his moral responsibility not only to his parents, relatives, and neighbors but to all mankind, animals, and useful trees and plants. For example, the hunting of birds and animals for sport is not permitted. Similarly, cutting trees and plants that yield fruit is forbidden unless there is a very pressing need for one to do so.
Thus, on the basic moral plane, Islam provides mankind with a higher system of morality that can be used by an individual to realize his greatest potential.