ETHICS IN ISLAM

What is Ethics?
Ethics has been defined as: "The normative science of the conduct of human beings living in societies a science which judges this conduct to be right or wrong, to be good or bad or in some similar way." (William Lillie, An Introduction to Ethics, 3rd edition, Methuen & Co. LTD., 1971, pg. 1 - 2) 'Ethics' deals systematically with the standards by which we judge the right or wrong in human action. Thus, setting any standards of 'right' or 'wrong' behavior in a society is related to the field of 'ethics'. Islam has set the basis of the Islamic society and set its code of ethics that grants people a secure, happy and warm life. The word Islam in itself means peace attained through submission to the Divine will. There is no contradiction between the seeking happiness and the quest for virtue. The norms that have characterized belief and action in Islam have their initial inspiration in two main sources. One is scriptural, embodying the message revealed by Allah to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and recorded in the Quran. The second is Prophet Mohammad's life (Sunnah). So a true Muslim cant take the Quran as the only source for Islam and ignore the Sunnah, or take the Sunnah and ignore the Quran. In one of the Surrahs of the Qur'an entitled al-Furqan ( Surrah no. 25), revelation addressed to all humankind becomes the point of reference for distinguishing right from wrong: Blessed be He Who sent criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'an) to His servant (Mohammad) that he may be a warner to mankind. He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Who has begotten no son and for Whom there is no partner in the dominion. He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurement. Qur'an (25:1-2).

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has been described in the Qur'an as a fine example and one who possesses high moral excellence, and Allah has urged us to follow his manners. Allah says in the Quran: In the Messenger of God (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) God and the Last Day and remembers God much. Quran (33:21) Allah also says: ...you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character. Quran (68:4) The second source of knowledge in Islam is the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammad PBUH, the written record or text of the Sunnah) are to be relied upon on the authority of God's saying in the Qur'an: By the star when it goes down. Your companion (Muhammad) is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he speak from out of (his own) desire. It is no less than Inspiration sent down to him. Quran (53:1-4). The human quality that encompasses the concept of ideal ethical value in the Qur'an is summed up in the term taqwa (fear and respect of Allah). It represents, on one hand, the moral grounding that underlies human action, while on the other, it signifies the ethical conscience which makes human beings aware of their duties both towards Allah and towards their society. Allah says in the Quran: O humankind! We have created you out of male and female and constituted you into different groups and societies, so that you may come to know each other the noblest of you, in the sight of God, are the ones possessing taqwa. God is the All-knowing, the All-Aware. Quran (9.13) The ethics of Islam revolve around seven main components, namely: 1. 2. 3. 4. Modesty Respect for Women Supremacy of Law Self-Respect and Discipline

5. 6. 7.

Importance of the Rights of Fellow Beings Islam in Community Life Relations with Non-Muslims

MODESTY
Modesty is defined as the freedom from vanity and showiness. It is decency and moderation in speech, manner, dress and total attitude and behavior towards life. It is shyness, simplicity and humility about our abilities and accomplishments. The word modesty, in common use, signifies that a man should abstain from indecent acts. However, in the terminology of the Quran and the Hadith, it is used in a wider sense. In Islam, it stands for a feeling which is intolerant of everything that is not desirable or produces disgust in a person. Modesty plays a vital role in character building. It restrains a man from behaving in an undesirable manner. It also acts as a shield against immoralities. It holds the key to piety. The Quran orders modesty in the following words: Come not nigh to shameful deeds whether open or secret. Quran (6:152) It is related by Zaid bin Talha that the Holy Prohet (PBUH) said: Every religion has a distinctive quality and the distinctive quality of Islam is modesty. The rule of modesty is prescribed for both men and women as the Quran says: Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. (24:30) And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. (24:31) Modesty is not to be observed only in relation to human beings. The Almighty Creator comes first. No one can be more unfortunate than the person who, knowing that Allah sees and hears all that he does and speaks,

feels no shame in saying dirty and deplorable things in His presence. If the sense of modesty is alive and active in a person, his life will not only be clean in the sight of his fellow beings but also in the eyes of Allah. The primary requirement of modesty is that a person should feel disgusted at everything that is displeasing to Allah, therefore, he should abstain from it. Modesty requires a Muslim to be humble and modest towards his fellow beings and should not be arrogant or boastful. The Quran says: The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace. (25:63) We are living in this so called free society, in which our Islamic standards of purity and modesty face the continual threat and can easily be destroyed altogether. Therefore it is necessary for us to adhere to the important part of Islamic morality which is modesty.

RESPECT FOR WOMEN

Women in Islam are appreciated and highly respected, opposite to a lot of misleading and incorrect information that's being widely spread among nonMuslims. In pre-Islamic days, women throughout the world were subjected to great indignities. No religion had allowed them equality and they were looked upon as a source of shame and humiliation to the family. Women had no social status and no rights and were treated more or less as personal slaves. With the coming of Islam, the position of women was raised to a respectable and honourable one in society. Thus Islam came as the liberator and benefactor of women. The Quranic teaching is that women should be held in honour and their rights recognized in marriage, property and inheritance. It says: ....to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn. (4:32)

Women in Islam are not to be regarded as personal slaves and not to be inherited. Also they are not to be treated with harshness. Dr. Annie Bessant in her book, The Life and Teachings of Muhammad says: I often think that women are more free in Islam than in Christianity. Women are more respected by Islam than by the faith which preaches monogamy. Quran has highlighted the fact that men and women are equal in the sight of God. The woman in Islam has the right to inherit property and has the right to get divorced if she doesn't get good treatment from her husband, and can no longer stand her life with him (yet she has to have a good reason). Also, Islam does not look down on women nor consider them an "evil temptress", and thus does not blame women for the "original sin". Women in Islam participate in all forms of worship just like men. Islam respects women in roles of their lives as mother, sister, wife and daughter. The position of a mother is very exalted in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has gone so far as to say that: Paradise lies at the feet of your mothers. The Quran has often reminded man to respect his mother as she gave birth to him, suffered much on his account and reared him after making all kinds of sacrifices. Regarding woman as wife, there is a well-known saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH): The best among you is the one who is the best towards his wife. With regards to women as daughters, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said: A man who has one or more daughters and brings them up properly, educates them and gets them married, is sure to enter paradise.

SUPREMACY OF LAW
The institution of law exists in human society from time immemorial. Law as defined by the English dictionary is a rule of actions established by an authority, such as the government in a country. Islam is a religion that takes care of every aspect of human life; moral, spiritual, social, economic as well as legal. The sphere of law in Islam is very wide. Law rules all the fields of life and there has to be an authority to enforce law. Islam demands respect of law because it stands for orderly, disciplined and regular habits of life and is against lawlessness and indiscipline. According to the Holy Quran, the greatest of Ruler and the Supreme LawGiver is Allah. All His creatures have to obey His commands and to follow His laws. No man can change Allahs law. Those who refuse to obey or judge according to His law as contained in the Quran are wrong-doers, unbelievers and rebels. The Holy Quran says: O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves refer it to Allah and His Apostle. (4:59) Islam establishes the rule of one law for all, irrespective of caste, colour, creed or nationality. In the eyes of Islam, every person is equal and everyone has equal rights to protection of life, property and honour. Islam proclaims equal treatment in law, irrespective of ones status or position in life. Even the ruler is not exempted. He has to appear before a court of law, if called. The teaching as well as the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) followed by that of his successors show that judges never hesitated to decide against the rulers in cases of default. The Quran says: It is not fitting for a believer man or woman when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision. (33:36) An incident indicating the supremacy of law relates to Amr bin Aas, who was the Governor of Egypt. A man accused him of whipping him without any just cause. Khalifa Hazrat Umar, after making inquiries, ordered that the man should lash the Governer with an equal number of stripes.

The Prophet (PBUH) explained this fundamental principle in these words: Even if Fatimah (R.A.), daughter of Muhammad (PBUH), had committed a theft I swear by God I would have cut off her hand. (Bukhari) In Islam, therefore, nobody is above law. The ruler and the ruled are subject to the same law and there can be no discrimination on the basis of power or position. If the ruler himself committed a prohibited act, he would not be able to reproach others for the same act. Therefore, Islam has struck at the root and source of this kind of evil.

SELF-RESPECT AND DISCIPLINE

Islam imposes strict discipline of good behaviour and conduct upon its followers. The maintenance of ones dignity and self-respect is an essential quality in a man. It is needed in every aspect of life and at every turn; without it a feeing of inferiority exists, no one pays an attention to what such a person says. Others never respect a person who neither respects himself nor maintains discipline. Islam expects Muslims to present the highest example of good morality and manners. As long as Muslims maintained firm faith and discipline, they did not lose their sense of self-respect. The Quran says: You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong (3:110) Self-respect is different from vanity. It is the name given to the quality by which a person understands and learns to respect himself so that he does not stoop to anything low. When a self-respecting person comes across an evil, he passes by it untouched. The evil ones do not have the courage to even try to attract him. To maintain ones self-respect, one has to be careful at all times and in every way. Such a persons behaviour must reflect his self-respect. Yet

there must be no shadow of vanity or a sense of superiority about him. Dignified behaviour is the essence of self-respect. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said the following in the context of prayers: When you hear the call for prayers, proceed calmly and with dignity and do not be in a hurry. Beggary is strongly condemned in Islam as it is a negation of self-respect. It makes a man shameless. Even asking for help in everyday matters is not encouraged. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that when a person must ask for help or assistance only the God-fearing should be approached. This command ensures that God-fearing persons will either comply, or if not in a position to help, will refuse politely so the one who has asked for help will not lose his self-respect. A Muslim endowed with the values of Islam cares only for Allah; he does not bow down to anyone but Allah. As a Muslim, he knows that honour and respect are for Allah and His Prophet and through him for every Muslim. Thus, to maintain ones self-respect is to maintain the respect and honour of Islam.

IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT OF FELLOW BEINGS

The Quran guides man with regard to his dealings with other individuals of the society. It lays emphasis on justice, trust, respect for life and property, patience, humility, thankfulness and forgiveness. Some of the fundamental relations between a man and other individuals are given in the Quran as: Treat with kindness your parents and kindred and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people.

Parents and Children

Among worldly relations, the relations between parents and children have the highest status. Islam has given importance to this relationship placing respect and kindness to parents next only to belief in Allah and the command to be grateful to Allah is immediately followed by the command to be grateful to ones parents. The Quran says: Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents.

Once a person came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and asked: O messenger of Allah, what are the rights of parents on their children? He replied: For you, they can be heaven or hell. It is clear from this that kind and gentle treatment of parents leads to heaven and their ill-treatment to hell. Among the parents the status of the mother is three times higher, as said by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), because she undergoes more sufferings for the sake of her children. The rights of children among on their parents are that they should bring them up in the best possible manner, to cherish and nurture them, to protect them from all kinds of evil and to provide them with the best education and training. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: He who is not affectionate to Gods creatures and to his own children, Allah will not be affectionate to him.

Husband and Wife

The main objective of marriage is that both parties enjoy the pleasures of life with purity and that the continuity of the human race be maintained with dignity. Both husband and wife are a source of support, comfort and protection to each other. They are, therefore, expected to live together in peace and love, as the Quran says: He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. (30:21) Husbands are required to provide sustenance to their wives, clothe them and house them. They are required to live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. A virtuous wife is bound to love her husband and prove to be a source of comfort to him. The Quran says: Therefore, the righteous women are devotedly obedient and guard in (the husbands) absence what Allah would have them guard.

According to Abdullah Yousaf Ali, the meaning of the verse is that the good wife is obedient and harmonious in her husbands presence, and in his absence guards his reputation and her own virtue as ordained by God.

Relatives
Islam lays great stress on the rights of relatives. Allah has commanded us to do good and show kindness to our relatives, and the command to do so comes immediately after the command to do good to our parents. The Quran says: Worship none but Allah and treat with kindness parents and kindred and orphans and those in need. (2:83) Fulfilling the rights of the relatives increases the substinence and longevity of life. The Prophet (PBUH) said: He, who desires ample provision and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his relatives.

Neighbours
The Prophet(PBUH) has attached great importance to the rights of the neighbours and has constantly urged the Muslims to pay due regards to the rights of neighbours to the extent that he has declared good neighbourliness to be part of Iman (Faith) and an essential requisite for salvation. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) laid so much emphasis on the rights of neighbours that some of his Companions thought that neighbours might be included in the list of heirs. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: If you wish to become a perfect believer, you should treat your neighbours generously.

Orphans and the Needy

Islam enjoins upon the Muslims to treat the orphans kindly. The Quran says: (Their bearings) on this life and the Hereafter. They ask your concerning orphans. Say, The best thing to do is what is for their good, if ye mix their affairs with yours, they are your brethren. (2:20)

Islam lays special stress upon feeding and clothing of the poor and the orphan. Muslims are also enjoined to help the poor and needy, and spend on them. One of the Holy Prophets (PBUH) sayings about giving about giving something to one who asks for help is: O Ayesha! Do not turn the poor away, without giving them, if but half a date.

ISLAM IN COMMUNITY LIFE

The Islamic community is governed by a sense of both individual and collective responsibility to Allah Who has defined the limits of human behaviour. In discussing the collective aspects of human interaction in any community, it is only logical to start at the beginning, that is, with the family. The Islamic teachings are designed to strengthen and protect this important nurturing ground of future generations with the utmost care and concern. In Islamic social order, the family is the first and real unit of humanity and the real cohesive force, which makes civilization possible. It is family, which prepares and trains with love and affection, the members of the young generation. In Islam, marriage is the only right form of relationship between man and woman. Islam considers marriage not only physical necessity but also a religious duty. Islam encourages marriage as the Quran says: Marry those among you who are single. (24:33) Islam has given various instructions and directions to strengthen the bond of the family. In order to maintain discipline, the husband is assigned the position of protector and maintainer of the family. After family and neighbours the circle of relationships widens to cover the entire community. Islam lays great stress on its members to fulfill the duties they owe to the community and care for the rights of its members. The Muslims must act as friends to one another, they must be kind to other people and they must like for others what they like for themselves.

The relation between the individual and the community is based on the unity of origin. The individual is responsible for the welfare and prosperity of his community. Thus, the structure of community life in Islam is very lofty, sound and comprehensive.

RELATIONS WITH NON-MUSLIMS

Islam is a religion of love, mercy and tolerance and it preaches freedom of belief and faith. It recognizes the rights of non-Muslims living in an Islamic state. The messenger of Allah practiced religious tolerance towards non-Muslims and did not use force to compel people of other religions to embrace Islam as it would have been against the commands of Quran: Let there be no compulsion in religion. (2:256) Non-Muslims enjoy complete religious freedom; their places of worship are protected. They are allowed to repair, maintain and construct new ones. The life, property and honour of the non-Muslims are fully protected in Islamic state. Islam commands kindness and just treatment of the non-Muslims as the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: If anyone wrongs a man to whom a treaty has been granted or burdens him above his strength, I will advocate against him in the Day of Judgment. Islam establishes complete equality between Muslims and non-Muslims with regard to civil rights. Non-Muslims enjoy same civil rights as the Muslims. Same laws are applied to both. There is absolutely no difference between a Muslim and non-Muslim in respect of civil and criminal laws. And in respect of personal law and religious matters they enjoy complete freedom and there is no interference with these. Islam goes even to the extent of giving them liberty of practicing customs entirely opposed to the teachings of Islam. Thus, Islam has stressed upon giving all human beings their due and equal rights irrespective of their religion, race or colour.

ISLAMIYAT ASSIGNMENT

ETHICS IN ISLAM

Presented to: Sir M.K. Malik Presented by: Sehrish Iftikhar (Roll# 131) Naveed Shahzad (Roll# 40)

BIBLOGRAPHY
Islamiyat for Students by Farkhanda Noor Muhammad Islam Beliefs and Practices by Yasmin Malik www.geocities.com www.islamonline.com www.understandingislam.com