The
definition of morals (Akhlaq) in the Arabic language:
It is a
term derived from the word "Khuluq" meaning the character and the
nature, therefore a man's character would be his qualities and his morals.
The
definition of morals in the Shari'ah terminology:
The morals
are the characteristics which Allah (SWT) has ordered the Muslim to abide by
when performing his actions, they are the commands and prohibitions related to
the qualities which the Muslim should demonstrate when performing his actions
be it acts of worships, transactions and others. Since the Muslim is
restricted by the Shari'ah, or rather his actions are restricted, for Allah (SWT)
says:
"It is
not fitting for a believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by
Allah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision. If anyone
disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong path"
[TMQ
33:36]
And for He
(SWT) says:
"But no
by the Lord, they shall not be believers, until they make you judge in all
disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your
decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction."
[TMQ 4:65]
Therefore
Islam has obliged the Muslim to abide by the commands and prohibitions of
Allah (SWT) in his actions, sayings and qualities when acting or talking.
Furthermore, morals are part of the Islamic legislation for they are part of
Allah's commands and prohibitions; if the Muslim did not adhere to the morals
as being commands from Allah (SWT) and as being acts of worship for which he
will be rewarded in the day of Judgement, his morals would not be considered
as acts of worship and they would not be accepted of him even if they were
commendable, for the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Every action not
based on our teaching is rejected."
If for
instance someone told the truth because telling the truth is regarded in
society as a good deed, his action would not be considered an act of worship,
but if he did so in response to the command of Allah (SWT) and His Messenger
(SAW) who said: "Verily a man would tell the truth and keep on doing so
until Allah labels him as truthful", only then would his truthfulness
would be an act of worship. The Islamic moral qualities would be reflected in
the Muslim's actions and sayings, if he traded he would not cheat, for the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "He is not one of us who cheats us",
and if he mixed with people he would like them and be liked for the Messenger
of Allah (SAW) said: "A Muslim would like and be liked". Here are
brief examples demonstrating that the Islamic moral qualities would be
reflected in the Muslim's actions when he adheres to the standards set by the
Shari'ah or when he realises his relationship with Allah (SWT) whilst
performing his actions, and when he realises the rule related to the action
whether it is obligatory or desirable, or when he realises why he abstains
from committing a sin or an undesirable act: The Muslim would show humility in
prayer, Allah (SWT) says:
"The
believers will eventually succeed. Those who humble themselves in their
prayers" [TMQ 23:1-2]
The Muslim
would show gentleness when carrying the Da'awa and debating with people, for
Allah (SWT) says:
"It is
part of the Mercy of Allah that you dealt gently with them. Were you severe or
harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you"
[TMQ 3:159]
The Muslim
would show patience and perseverance in enduring persecution and oppression
while facing the enemy, Allah (SWT) says:
"O you
who believe! persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance;
strengthen each other; and fear Allah"
[TMQ 3:200]
The Islamic
Morals
The Muslim
would show bravery and courage when he holds the tyrant ruler accountable, the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "The masters of martyrs are Hamza and a
man that stood up to a tyrant ruler, advised him and was killed".
The Muslim
would show generosity and sacrifice, he would go hungry for others to have
enough to eat, Allah (SWT) says:
"And
they give them preference over themselves even though they were poor"
[TMQ
59:9]
The Muslim
would show the qualities of the just and fair judge between people, Allah (SWT)
says:
"And
when you judge between people, do judge with justice"
[TMQ 4:58]
The Muslim
would show fidelity and would honour his contracts, for Allah (SWT) says:
"Fulfil
all obligations" [TMQ 5:1]
And for
the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"The Muslims should always
fulfil their promises".
The Muslim
would show the qualities of compassion and friendliness for the Messenger of
Allah (SAW) said: "The believers are but like one body in their love
friendliness and compassion to one another, if a member suffered, the rest of
the body reacted with sleeplessness and fever".
He (SAW)
also said: "Have mercy on those who are on earth so that Allah may have
mercy on you". There are other Islamic qualities which Allah (SWT) has
ordered the Muslims to adhere to such as: Decency, generosity, modesty,
obedience to parents, good conjugal community, tolerance, helpfulness,
supporting the believers, frankness, sincerity, keeping promises and
safeguarding trusts etc...
There are
also some despicable moral qualities which Allah (SWT) has prohibited, such as
telling lies, envy, injustice, cheating, insulting, tale carrying, backbiting,
hypocrisy, disobeying the parents, laziness, cowardice, meanness etc.. Allah (SWT)
says:
"And
from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy"
[TMQ 113:5]
And He (SWT)
also says:
"Those
who want to be seen and refuse to supply neighbourly needs."
[TMQ
107:6-7]
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"O Allah I seek your refuge from
weakness, laziness, cowardice and meanness". He (SAW) also said:
"The Muslim would never be a slanderer, an abuser, nor would he be a loud
mouth shouting in the markets".
The
characteristics of the Islamic morals:
1 - The
Islamic morals cannot be separated from the other types of legislation such as
the rituals, the transactions etc., the humility for instance does not
manifest itself except in prayer, and the truthfulness and trust do not
materialise except in transactions, therefore the morals cannot be separated
from the other commands and prohibitions for they are characteristics which
appear only when the human is performing the action.
2 - The
Islamic morals are not motivated by material gains as is the case with most
people in western societies, the Muslim is ordered to adhere to those morals
regardless of benefit or loss, he would be truthful before the tyrant ruler
and he would be brave when holding him accountable even if he suffered
persecution and oppression, he would not compromise his principles, for the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "The master of martyrs is Hamza and a man
who stood up to a tyrant ruler to advise him and was killed".
3 - The
Islamic morals, just like the Islamic Aqeeda, conforms with the human nature,
for instance, being generous and hospitable to the guest and helping the needy
conforms with the instinct of survival; humility and modesty conform with the
spiritual instinct. Mercy, clemency and love conform with the instinct of the
gender.
The effects
of morals on the individual and society:
1 - Morals,
together with the other obligations make of the Muslim a distinctive Islamic
personality when dealing with other people, they would trust him and believe
what he says.
2 - Islamic morals generate affection and respect between the members of the
family in particular and the members of society in general.
3 - Abiding
by the Islamic morals will be rewarded by Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement,
just like the other commands and prohibitions, and the Muslim would gain
people's trust and respect in this life, those who adhere to high morals will
be close to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in the Hereafter, sharing the grace
of Heaven, for Allah (SWT) says:
"All who
obey Allah and the Messenger are in the company of those on whom is the grace
of Allah, - the prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs and the righteous.
What a beautiful fellowship"
[TMQ 4:69]
And Bukhari
reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"Verily those I love most
and those who will be closest to me are those of you who have the best morals.".
And he (SAW) was asked once about the best assets that would make a Muslim
enter Heaven, he said:
"The fear of Allah and good
morals."