What we refer to as "moral
values" are the concepts introduced by religion that make
life beautiful and rewarding. Whenever these values are distorted,
we face a really disturbing picture in society. First of all, in
an environment where no rules and limits are observed,
"lawlessness" prevails. In this system, everyone lays
down his own rules and principles, based on highly variable
criteria. In the ignorant society the basic principle that is
applied is not to go to extremes in social conduct and hence not
to incur any reaction from the society. It is wholly acceptable to
do anything wrong, as long as it is not publicly disclosed.
Ignorant people deliver speeches about virtuous conduct and
morals, or severely condemn those who hold a contrary view.
However, they themselves violate these values when they are
convinced that nobody sees them.
This is actually the main basis
upon which their philosophy rests. They never think that Allah
surrounds them all at every moment; they never conceive that He
sees every deed they commit and hears every word they utter. They
perceive degeneration as a "modern" way of living.
They fear being humiliated if they do not
project the image of a "modern person." This image
essentially
calls for the flouting of such moral values as honesty. Someone,
for instance, who returns the money he found on the street to its
owner is ridiculed. In such a situation, acceptable behaviour
according to ignorant people would be not to give the money back.
This example reflects only one aspect of the ignorant society’s
understanding about moral values however. Concepts like honesty
and chastity also lose their importance. Forgery and lying are
accepted as normal. A person may commit burglary since he finds
nothing wrong with it. Likewise, anyone can tell a lie whenever he
wishes. In this system other people have no right to object
because they also have the right to behave "freely"(!)
In accordance with their own moral values.
The Qur’an makes it clear that
people who adhere to the moral values of the age of the ignorant
suffer for doing so:
"Indeed,
Allah will not deal unjustly with man in any way. It is man who
wrongs his own soul." (Surah Yunus: 44)
In a society where people adhere
to religious values, they conduct themselves responsibly towards
each other since they go in fear of Allah. They never deign to be
dishonest or insincere, and certainly never push things to such
extremes as to make life difficult for others. Moral values become
the basis of all acts and conduct.
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