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Teaching on morality and moral conduct constitute a basic principle of [[Islam]], and the moral themes form a large part of it. The [[Quran]] and the [[Hadith]] – the central religious texts of Islam – serve as the primary source for it.<ref>Clark (2011), p.283</ref> Both the Quran and the hadith often speak in emphatic manners to instruct the Muslims to adopt a morally good character. Showing kindness to people, and charity to the poor and the helpless are the most highlighted and most insisted virtues in the Quran.<ref>Leaman (2006), p. 415</ref> In particular, helping people especially in their needs, forgiving others' offenses, respecting parents and elders, fulfilling promises, being king to people and to animals, being patient in adversaries, maintaining justice, being honest in nature, controlling anger come as major virtues in Islamic concept of morality.
Teaching on morality and moral conduct constitute a basic principle of [[Islam]], and the moral themes form a large part of it. The [[Quran]] and the [[Hadith]] – the central religious texts of Islam – serve as the primary source for it.<ref>Clark (2011), p.283</ref> Both the Quran and the hadith often speak in emphatic manners to instruct the Muslims to adopt a morally good character. Showing kindness to people, and charity to the poor and the helpless are the most highlighted and most insisted virtues in the Quran.<ref>Leaman (2006), p. 415</ref> In particular, helping people especially in their needs, forgiving others' offenses, respecting parents and elders, fulfilling promises, being king to people and to animals, being patient in adversaries, maintaining justice, being honest in nature, controlling anger come as major virtues in Islamic concept of morality.

==Source==
The Quran, which Muslims believe to be the verbatim word of God, serves as the primary source of moral teachings in Islam.<ref name= Clark-283/> The [[Sunnah]], which is the teachings, deeds and sayings, silent permissions (or disapprovals) of the [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic prophet]] Muhammad, as well as various reports about Muhammad's companions, also serves as an important source for Islamic moral teachings.<ref name= Clark-283/> Besides these, the works of Islamic scholars and philosophers, and the moral examples set by important Islamic personalities (such as the four rightly guided caliphs) are other sources for Islamic ethical and moral guidance.<ref name= Clark-283/>


==General principle==
==General principle==

Revision as of 13:04, 14 October 2016

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Morality in Islam is a comprehensive term that serves to include the concept of righteousness, good character, and the body of moral qualities and virtues prescribed in Islamic religious texts. The underlying idea of Islamic morality is that of love: love for God and love for God's creatures. The idea is that mankind will acquire and follow the body of moral qualities in order to seek God's pleasure and to treat the fellow human beings in the best possible manner.[1][2]

Teaching on morality and moral conduct constitute a basic principle of Islam, and the moral themes form a large part of it. The Quran and the Hadith – the central religious texts of Islam – serve as the primary source for it.[3] Both the Quran and the hadith often speak in emphatic manners to instruct the Muslims to adopt a morally good character. Showing kindness to people, and charity to the poor and the helpless are the most highlighted and most insisted virtues in the Quran.[4] In particular, helping people especially in their needs, forgiving others' offenses, respecting parents and elders, fulfilling promises, being king to people and to animals, being patient in adversaries, maintaining justice, being honest in nature, controlling anger come as major virtues in Islamic concept of morality.

Source

The Quran, which Muslims believe to be the verbatim word of God, serves as the primary source of moral teachings in Islam.[5] The Sunnah, which is the teachings, deeds and sayings, silent permissions (or disapprovals) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as various reports about Muhammad's companions, also serves as an important source for Islamic moral teachings.[5] Besides these, the works of Islamic scholars and philosophers, and the moral examples set by important Islamic personalities (such as the four rightly guided caliphs) are other sources for Islamic ethical and moral guidance.[5]

General principle

Islamic primary sources and later Islamic scholarly works have made detailed discussions and laid down detailed instructions on moral issues. However, some general principles can be found in case of following morality. One typical Islamic teaching on morality is that imposing a penalty on an offender in proportion to their offense is permissible and just; but forgiving the offender is better. To go one step further by offering a favor to the offender is regarded the highest excellence.[6] Another principle is that whatever is good and beneficial for mankind is morally good, and vice versa.[2] According to Islamic sharia, a Muslim is expected to act only in good manners[7] as bad manners earn vices. Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported as saying "It is not possible that you indulge in rebuking and reviling and remain righteous at the same time".[8]

Significance

Much emphasis has been attached in Islamic tradition on developing strong moral values. Faith is considered incomplete without having sense of morality.[9] In Islamic sharia, a worshiper devoid of morality is seen as someone who has failed to realize the true significance of worshiping. In other words, the prayers which can not keep a person away from wrongdoings are seen worthless.[10] Muhammad is reported as saying that a real poor person is he who will appear on the Day of Judgment with a lot of rewards earned by his prayers, fasting, zakat; but in his life he had also abused someone, had falsely accused someone, had illegally taken another's property, had murdered somebody; so all his virtues will be distributed to the victims, and he will be thrown to hell (Sahih Muslim, 32:6251). Islamic tradition holds that moral qualities and good actions elevate the status of a man.[6] Islamic prophet Muhammad said, "The best among you are those who have the best manners and character" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:56).

Major virtues

Charity and philanthropy

O Aisha, Never turn away any needy man from your door empty-handed. Love the poor; bring them near to you and God will bring you near to Him on the Day of Resurrection.

— Muhammad, Rahman, Encyclopedia of Seerah, VOL. VIII, p. 151

Numerous verses of the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad tell the Muslims to be generous with their wealth and to respond to the calls of the mankind's needs. Muslims believe that spending wealth for others, especially for the needy, and helping people are a fundamental duty for them,[11] and these things earn God's mercy and reward in the afterlife. Similarly, caring for one's kinsmen and neighbors has also been emphasized. The Quran says that the righteous are those people who fulfill their promises, and feed the needy, the orphans and the captive for the love of God (76:5-8). At another place, it says "Those who (in charity) spend their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" (2:274). In a long hadith collected in Sahih Muslim, Jarir narrates that once they were with Muhammad when some poor people came. They were ill-clad with torn dresses and were starving. When Muhammad saw them, the color of his face changed. He asked Bilal to assemble the people and then delivered a speech, and said "Everyone should give in charity dinar, dirham, cloth, dates, wheat, etc." He went on till he urged: "Give, even if it is a stone of a date." After this, a man from Ansar brought a bag so full of materials that it was slipping from his hand. Other people also brought things to be given in charity till there were two big heaps of eatable goods and clothes. At that, the face of Muhammad glowed with joy.[12]

Miserliness is discouraged in Islam,[13] and the hoarding of wealth which is not used to redress the miseries of the needy and the poor is seen to be a cause of punishment in the afterlife.[12] Helping people in time of their needs is seen more important than praying in the mosque.[14]

Tolerance and forgiveness

Islam expects its followers to practice tolerance and forgiveness in their family and social life. Forgiving those who offend is seen as a great virtue. Muhammad's advices and examples serve as a source of inspiration for Muslims to forgive and to tolerate. During the initial years of Islam, Muslims faced persecutions by the Meccan pagans.[15] During this period, Muhammad was once asked by his companions to invoke God's wrath on the persecutors. Muhammad became displeased with such a request and advised them to be more tolerant.[16] After the Conquest of Mecca in 630, Muhammad declared a general amnesty for all those who had committed offenses against Islam and himself. The Quran says: "Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Paradise whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous, those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good." (3:133-134).

Honesty

In Islam, honesty implies maintaining sincerity and truthfulness in all actions, interactions, and transactions, and the issue of honesty touches almost all aspects of human life. Here, honesty serves as a umbrella term having some basic components like speaking truth; fulfilling commitments, whether written or verbal; remaining truthful to one's word; rendering the assigned duty sincerely and as meticulously as possible; imparting everyone's due rights without the person's asking for it; being objective in evaluating any case and giving judgments; avoiding falsehood, deception, and favoritism.[17] Selection and promotion of personnel in an organization based on merit and not on favoritism is also a part of honesty. As Islam is a God-centered religion, honesty demands that it be maintained not only in public but also in private, not only when supervised but also when not supervised.[17] Honesty has particularly been emphasized in business transactions, not only in selling and buying but in issues like pricing and advertising policies. Correct measurement is to be maintained. Again, Muhammad has instructed that the sellers should put the commodities of poorer quality in clear display so that the customers are not deceived.[18] Hiking the price to gain more profit or lowering the price to put the competitors at trouble are considered unethical.[19] Similarly, exaggerated claims and suppression of unfavorable information in advertising are discouraged.[20] Honesty is regarded by Muslim scholars as one of the five essential qualities for any Muslim accountants.[21]

Kindness and leniency

The Quran and the hadith describe God as being kind and merciful to His creatures, and tell people to be kind likewise. Among the 99 Names of God in Islam, the most common and famous are "the Compassionate" (al-raḥmān) and "the Merciful" (al-raḥīm).[22] The Quran says, "Verily, Allah is kind and merciful to the people" (2:143). Numerous sayings of Muhammad tell the Muslims to be kind and merciful to the creatures of God. In Sahih Bukhari, it is said "He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully (by God)" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:42). Narrated in Sahih Muslim, Muhammad said, "Verily, Allah is mild and is fond of mildness, and He gives to the mild what He does not give to the harsh"[23] (Sahih Muslim, 32:6273). He also said, "He who is deprived of kindness is in fact deprived of goodness (Sahih Muslim, 32:6272).

Muhammad has been described as being kind and compassionate to people and animals. Biographies of Muhammad record incidences showing his kindness and leniency to others. Once, a man came to him and said that he had committed a certain sin. As reparation for his sin, Muhammad asked the man if he could free a slave upon which the man expressed his inability. Muhammad asked him if he could fast for two months upon which the man replied in the negative. Muhammad asked him again if he could feed sixty poor men upon which the man replied that he was even unable to do that. In the meantime, a bag of dates was brought there as gift for Muhammad. Muhammad gave the bag of dates to the man and told him to distribute the dates among the poor as reparation. The man passionately said "who is poorer than me in Medina?" Hearing this, Muhammad smiled and told the man to distribute the dates among his own family members.[24]

Kind treatment to animals

Islam has prescribed kind treatment not only to humans but also to animals.[23] Muhammad was probably the first in history to talk about the rights and proper treatment of animals.[23][25] Kind and humane treatment earn virtue, and can even be a means of salvation. Similarly, cruelty towards animals can lead to punishment by God.[26] Islamic tradition narrates the story of a man who got salvation for showing mercy to a thirsty dog.[26] On one occasion, the man saw a dog which was about to die because of extreme thirst. He realized its plight, went down into a well, brought some water for the dog, and saved its life. God became pleased with him and pardoned all his previous sins (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:38). It also narrates the story of a woman who locked up a cat. She neither fed the cat nor set it free to feed for itself. For her cruelty, she was punished y God.[26] The early rulers in Islamic world used to instruct people in behaving properly to the animals.[27]

For proper treatment of animals, Islam has specified some guidelines:

  • All pet and farm animals have the rights of proper food and shelter. The owner has the obligation to arrange for food and shelter for his animals.[26][25]
  • Animals which are used to carry goods should not be over-loaded.[28]
  • Animals must not be tortured, beaten, or hurt unnecessarily. They are not to be killed for recreation. Also, the body parts of any live animal must not be mutilated.[28][25]
  • Islam has prohibited the old custom of setting live animals or birds as targets for shooting practices.[28][25]
  • Muhammad has forbidden separating the birds from their off-springs.[28]
  • Animal slaughtering process should be such which is the least painful to the animal. Slaughtering of one animal in front of another is prohibited in Islam.[27][25]

Justice

To render justice ranks as the most noble of acts of devotion next to belief in God. It is the greatest of all the duties entrusted to the prophets…and it is the strongest justification for man’s stewardship of earth.

— Shams al-Din Sarkhasi, Al-Mabsut, vol. 14, p. 59-60

The Quran uses the words adl, qist, qast, wasat, and mizan in referring to justice, with the word adl being mostly used and literally meaning to straighten, to balance, to depart from wrong, or to be equal.[29] Its meaning is thus "a combination of moral and social values denoting fairness, balance, temperance and straightforwardness."[30] In Islam, justice is not only a moral virtue but also an obligation to be fulfilled under all circumstances. The Quran warns people against injustice over two hundred times, and directs people to establishing justice over one hundred times.[31] The Quran served for the early Muslims, as it serves for the present Muslims, as the primary source for the notion of justice. As his capacity as a prophet, the Quranic notion of justice was explained and translated into practice by Muhammad in dealing with various social issues, thus setting moral and legal examples and standards of justice in society and paving ways for the later Muslim theologians and scholars to "formulate theories of justice".[31] The obligation to establish justice comes as a fundamental principle in the Quran, second in importance only to the oneness of God.[31] The Quranic injunction of fairness and fair dealing is equally applicable to all people, irrespective of caste, creed, and color.[32] According to the scholars of the Quran, rendering justice to people is a trust from God entrusted on mankind, and this should be fulfilled with a sense of responsibility, not just as a formality.[32]

Fulfillment of promise

In Islamic sharia, fulfilling a contract is regarded as compulsory,[33] and is one of the three qualities necessary for becoming a true Muslim,[34] as the famous hadith says "Three are the signs of a hypocrite, even if he observed fast and prayed and asserted that he was a Muslim: when he spoke he told a lie, when he made promise he acted treacherously, and when he was trusted he betrayed" (Sahih Muslim, 1:113). Both the Quran and the hadith have attached importance to respect a contract once it has been made, and whether the other party is a Muslim or non-Muslim.[35] Apart from the ordinary verbal promises, fulfillment of business contracts and repayment of loans come as a special instruction for the Muslims. Business contracts and words are not to be breached in pursuance of more profits. Similarly, admonition has been issued against the non-payment of loans as it is said to ruin the afterlife of a believer.[35]

In Islamic tradition, fulfillment of promises has some other dimensions. Islamic belief holds that before creating humans in this world, God assembled their souls and asked them if He was not their Lord upon which they replied in the affirmative. Thus, accepting Allah as true God and following His commands in all sphere of life is regarded as the greatest fulfillment of that covenant.[36] Again, in case of Muslim marriage, full payment of Mahr – the amount of money which a bridegroom needs to pay to the bride at the time of their marriage – has been emphasized. Non-payment, partial payment, or manipulation of mahr (jointure) is seen as the disruption of marriage contract.[35] A hadith in Tibrani says "If a man has married a woman and in his heart he has the intention of not paying that mahr, then he has deceived her. If he dies and he has not paid her right, then on the Day of Judgment he will be presented before Allah as a rapist. And a man who has borrowed money from another man while he did not have the intention of re-paying the debt, then he has deceived him, and consequently he defrauded him. If he dies in this condition, without paying back his debt, then he will meet Allah as a thief."

Modesty and humility

"Every religion has its characteristic, and the characteristic of Islam is modesty." This saying of Muhammad, collected in al-Muwatta, shows the unique position modesty holds in Islam. Islam has strongly emphasized the concept of decency and modesty. Here, modesty is seen no less important in speech and behavior than in dressing. Again, modesty has a dual aspect in Islam: modesty is to be maintained in public which is generally related to people, as well as in private which is related to God.[37] Islam expects that a Muslim who believes in God will feel shy in front of God, and this shyness will prevent him from disobeying God, from committing any sinful or immodest act, whether in public or private, because he has awareness of God.[37] Muhammad has said, "Modesty is part of faith" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:139). Thus Islam has linked modesty with faith. Islam also expects that a Muslim will be polite in his behavior with others. Display of anger, indecent behavior, or indecent exposure of body parts are highly discouraged. Modesty is seen as a human trait that distinguishes human beings from other animals.[37][38] Muhammad has been described as being more bashful than a maiden.[24]

Modesty in dressing has particularly been emphasized. According to Islamic Law, known as sharia, Muslims are required to cover their body parts with proper dressing.[39] Sharia has also laid down specific guidelines for men and women regarding their dressing. Covering everything from 'navel to knee' is mandatory for men.[39] In some Muslim societies, women wear the niqab, a veil that covers the whole face except the eyes, or the full burqa, a full-body covering garment that occasionally does cover the eyes. Following is the most frequently cited verse of the Quran regarding modesty: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. God is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests, and not to reveal their adornment" (24:30-1).

Humility is defined as being modest and respectful. The prophetic narrations and Muhammad's own examples of simplicity and humbleness inspire the Muslims to practice humility in their life. According to tradition, Muhammad was rare to engage in argument with others. He was rare to laugh in a loud voice; rather, he preferred soft smiling.[24] During the conquest of Mecca, when Muhammad was entering into the city riding on a camel, his head lowered, in gratitude to God, to the extent that it almost touched the back of the camel. [24][40]

Decent speech

Islam has instructed its followers to maintain decency in speech, and misuse of tongue has been admonished. Excessive or absurd talking, or useless gossiping are generally discouraged.[41] The person who talks too much is seen as having greater chances of making mistakes. Speech that hurts others' feelings or insults people are prohibited. Similarly, calling someone by any name that harms the honor of the person is prohibited. Decent and gentle speech has been encouraged as it is seen both as a virtue and as a means of cultivating goodness among people.[41] Muhammad has preferred maintaining silence than engaging in meaningless talks. Polemics in speech or heated arguments with ignorant people are disapproved of in Islam. In The Quran and the hadith, there are many instructions regarding the decent use of tongue. Some of them are:

  • "The faith of a man cannot be straight unless his heart is straight, and his heart cannot be straight unless his tongue becomes straight." (Musnad Ahmad)
  • "The faltering of the feet cause much less harm than the faltering of the tongue." (Baihaqui)
  • Muhammad once advised Hazrat Abu Zar in this way: "Adopt silence. This is a way of causing Satan to run away, it is a support to you in the matter of your religion." (Musnad Ahmad)
  • "Before Allah the most hated are the quarrelsome person" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3:43:637).
  • “Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers, and who shun vain conversation, and who are active in deeds of charity." (Quran 23:1-4)
  • "Say to my servants that they should say those things that are best. Verily, Satan sows discord among them. Verily, the Satan is for man an open enemy." (Quran 17:53)
  • “A kind word with forgiveness is better than charity followed by injury. Allah is Free of All Wants and Most Forbearing." (Quran 2:263)
  • "And argue not with the People of the Book unless it be in a better manner than that." (Quran 29:46)

Trustworthiness

Trustworthiness, which is connected to fulfilling assigned responsibilities properly, has a wide field of application in Islam and conveys a wide range of meaning.[42] Islam has made every person responsible for returning the trust to their due recipients; and this command applies to both the common people and the ruling men.[42] Misappropriation or breach of trust has been condemned severely. Anas ibn Malik narrates that there was hardly any occasion where Muhammad had delivered a speech but he had not said this "The person who lacks trustworthiness also lacks faith. And the person who does not keep promises has no religion."[42] Muhammad has said, "Every one of you is a guardian and everyone will be asked about his subjects. Imam is a guardian. He will be asked about his subjects. A man is the guardian of the persons in his household. He is answerable about them. A woman is the guardian of her husband's house. She will be asked about her responsibility. The servant is the guardian of the articles of his master. He is answerable about this responsibility of his" (Sahih Muslim, 20:4496).

Performing one's duty sincerely and honestly is a trust. It means that a person will have the intention to properly carry out the duties entrusted to him, and will do it in the best possible manner without indulging in corruption.[43] Receiving undue advantages from office is seen as corruption. The rulers of the state or the government officials who do not care for the welfare of their citizens and thus cause sufferings to them are seen as the worst deceiver and have been warned with the direst consequences in afterlife. [43] Adi bin Umaira narrates that he has heard the Prophet as saying: "Whomsoever we have given some post and he has concealed a needle or a thing smaller than that, then it will be a misappropriated thing with which he will have to appear on the Day of Judgment" (Sahih Muslim, 20:4514). Similarly, trust demands that posts be offered to able and deserving persons: persons who will be able to keep the trust of organizations. To deny the public posts to those whose deserve them most, or to make appointments at public posts through nepotism is seen as misappropriation against God, His messenger, and the people. Those who make such unfair appointments have been warned that their prayers would not be accepted, and hell would be their destination.[42][43] Sahih Bukhari narrates that a man asked Muhammad when the Doomsday would occur. Muhammad replied "When deposits in trust would start being lost, then wait for the Doomsday." He was asked again, "What is the meaning of loss of trusts?" He replied: "When responsibilities are entrusted to unfit persons, then wait for the Doomsday" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:76:503).

According to Islamic theology, the wealth and abilities given to a man is a trust from God which means that they should be used in ways recommended by God, and these should not be abused for illegal activities. [43]

Protecting the confidential information of the meetings and the secret information of others is also a trust provided that these are not related to illegal activities.[43] Disclosing family secrets, especially that of the wife, is seen as the worst type of misappropriation. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that "On the Day of Judgment before Allah, the greatest act of misappropriation will be that a man may love his wife and the wife may also be inclined towards her husband and then he may disclose his wife's secrets to others."

After Muhammad started his preaching in 610 CE, his relationship with his own tribesmen, the Quraysh people, deteriorated gradually.[15] Despite this, the Quraysh people of Mecca used to deposit their valuable things at Muhammad because of his honesty and trustworthiness.[44] When Muhammad was compelled to leave Mecca because of Quraysh opposition, he directed his cousin Ali to return those deposits at their due recipients after his leave.[44]

Patience

See also: Sabr

The issue of patience is of special interest in Islam. Islamic tradition holds that God has made this world a testing ground for mankind, especially for the believers, and that the sincerity and strength of their faith will be judged through various trials.[45] Patience is one of the moral qualities which Islamic sharia considers necessary for a Muslim in order to keep away from evildoings, and in a broader sense, to protect his faith.[34] This is because Islamic holy scriptures say that believers will be tested with various adversaries in their life, and only those who can prove their faith and can remain grateful to God despite those adversaries will earn His blessings.[46][47][48] In Islamic theology, the solution to any crisis in a Muslim's life lies in two things: prayer and patience (Quran 2:153), and Muslims have been asked to seek God's help through these two things.[49][48]

Truthfulness

Truthfulness has been much emphasized in Islam, not only as a virtue, but also as a religious obligation; and falsehood has been admonished severely. Islam demands that its followers lead their life on the basis of truthfulness and fair dealing. Falsehood and dishonesty must be avoided because they mark departure from religion.[50] Telling lie is one of the major sins in Islam.[51] Muhammad was asked whether a Muslim could be a coward. He answered: 'Yes.' He was asked whether a Muslim could be a miser. He answered: 'Yes.' He was again asked: 'Can a Muslim be a liar?' He replied: 'No.' Falsehood is seen as something which is against the general characteristics of human nature: it corrupts the human soul and paves the way for many other evil activities.[50] According to the Quran, truthfulness was a characteristic virtue of the prophets (Quran 12:46; 19:41; 19:54; 19:56; 5:75).

Islam has some other considerations regarding truthfulness:

  • The virtue of truthfulness is to be maintained even in matters which are not serious in nature. Telling lies in jokes, or inventing false stories to amuse people are highly discouraged.[50]
  • Telling lies to even children is prohibited. Prophetic tradition narrates that "Anybody who called a child saying that he would give him a certain thing, and did not give it, then it is a lie" (Ahmed). Children should be accustomed to truthfulness from their childhood so that they can grow up with this virtue.[50]
  • Inventing falsehood and false story about God and His messengers, or inventing any false element in religion is seen as a grave sin.[50][52]
  • Exaggeration in praising someone is prohibited. Exaggerated praising of any powerful of rich person in order to get illegal advantage falls into this category. Praise should be made to the extent a person knows about someone.[50] Abu Hurairah narrates that "the Prophet has commanded us that we should throw dust in the face of those who indulge in exaggeration in their praises" (Tirmizi).
  • Giving false evidence against someone is seen as the worst type of falsehood, and is considered a major sin in Islam. A person is required to maintain truth in giving evidence even if that goes against their own interest.[50]
  • Bringing false charge of adultery against any woman is a punishable act in Islamic law which orders to flog the accuser eighty lashes. [53]

Anger management

Anger management comes as an important issue in Islamic tradition as anger is seen to destroy human conscience and to become the cause of many evil and violent activities.[8] Anger is considered one of the characteristic features of pre-Islamic period – a period known as age of ignorance. A hadith in Tirmizi says, "Adam's sons have been created of different types. … the best people among these are those who get angry late and immediately repent." In a famous hadith Narrated Abu Huraira, Muhammad said "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger" (Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:73:135). Controlling anger is seen as a virtue and a sign of righteous person.[54] Muhammad is reported as suggesting several methods to assuage anger for a man when he gets angry: to sit down if he is standing, and/or to lie down if he is sitting; to perform ablution (Islamic way of washing hands and face); to seek refuge from God against the influence of Satan.[55]

Sincerity

In Islam, sincerity of intention determines the significance of any act, that is to say, the value of any act depends on the motivation behind the act, not on the act itself.[56] Good intention is said to earn reward and God’s pleasure while bad intention God's displeasure. In Islamic theology, this applies not only to general act but also to prayers and worshiping. Thus, any act of worshiping which is done to attain worldly fame, or any act of charity which is given to impress people, is considered invalid and is regarded as a sinful act by Islamic jurisprudence.[56] Only those acts of prayer or charity which are done to seek God's pleasure or to benefit people are granted by God.[57] In Islam, sincerity of intention has some other significances: a) if a person sincerely intends to do any good deed and then becomes unable to materialize it into action due to any reason, he is still said to get reward for it; b) an act of worshiping done to gain worldly fame and not to seek God's pleasure is regarded as lesser shirk; c) the reward for a righteous act increases from ten to thousand times depending on the sincerity of the doer's intention.[56]

Respecting the elders

The family and the social tradition in Islamic world has long fostered the idea of respecting the elders of family and society. [58][59] Elders are generally honored by the young members as part of both Islamic culture and religious duty. It is one of the important Islamic good manners found in Islamic world. Examples of respecting elders include, among others, not walking ahead of the elders, allowing them to talk first in meetings, avoiding argument with them, and not raising voice before them.[60] Prophetic tradition narrates that 'he who does not love the younger and does not respect the elders is not one of us'[60] (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). Anas inb Malik narrates that Muhammad said, 'If a young man honors an elderly on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honor him in his old age'[60] (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).

Islamic traditions generally do not separate the older into old homes, rather accommodate them into their own houses.[59] They are also respected as the guardian of the house. Among the elderly members of a family, the parents occupy a special position in case of receiving veneration by their children. With regard to the rights of parents, the Quranic injunction is to behave well with then, to take care of them especially in their old age, not to be rude to them, and to show highest respect to them.[61][62]

See also

References

  1. ^ Leaman (2006), p. 416
  2. ^ a b Moral System of Islam: The Standard of Morality. (2006). IslamReligion.com Retrieved 19 Aug 2016.
  3. ^ Clark (2011), p.283
  4. ^ Leaman (2006), p. 415
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Clark-283 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Nigosian (2004), p.116
  7. ^ Leaman (2006), p.252
  8. ^ a b Al-Ghazali, chp. 14.
  9. ^ Al-Ghazali, chp. 2.
  10. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 29, verse 45.
  11. ^ Stefon (2010), p. 92
  12. ^ a b Al-Ghazali, chp. 15.
  13. ^ Nigosian (2004), p.117
  14. ^ Hashmi (2009), p. 68-9
  15. ^ a b "Muḥammad" (by F. Buhl & A. T. Welch, 1993). Encyclopaedia of Islam 7. pp. 360–376.
  16. ^ Khan (1980), p. 40
  17. ^ a b Alkhuli (2006), p. 12-3
  18. ^ Clark (2011), p.297
  19. ^ Ali (2015), p. 169
  20. ^ Ali (2015), p. 169-170
  21. ^ Ali (2015), p. 264
  22. ^ Bentley, David (1999). The 99 Beautiful Names for God for All the People of the Book. William Carey Library. ISBN 0-87808-299-9.
  23. ^ a b c D'Silva (2012), p. 129
  24. ^ a b c d Shibli Nomani, vol 2
  25. ^ a b c d e Imam Kamil Mufti (2006). Humane Treatment of Animals. IslamReligion.com Retrieved 19 Aug 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d D'Silva (2012), p. 130
  27. ^ a b D'Silva (2012), p. 132
  28. ^ a b c d D'Silva (2012), p. 131
  29. ^ Khadduri (1984), p. 6
  30. ^ Khadduri (1984), p. 8
  31. ^ a b c Khadduri (1984), p. 10
  32. ^ a b Justice in Islam. 2006. IslamReligion.com Retrieved 19 Aug 2016.
  33. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 17, verse 34.
  34. ^ a b Maariful Quran. Chapter 2, verse 177.
  35. ^ a b c Al-Ghazali, chp. 9.
  36. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 7, verse 172.
  37. ^ a b c Imam Kamil Mufti (2006). Modesty: An Overview. IslamReligion.com Retrieved 19 Aug 2016.
  38. ^ Turner, Bryan S. (2008). The Body and Society: Explorations in Social Theory. p. 5. SAGE. ISBN 9781412929875
  39. ^ a b Long (2011), p.93
  40. ^ Khan (1980), p. 234
  41. ^ a b Al-Ghazali, chp. 11.
  42. ^ a b c d Maariful Quran. Chapter 4, verse 58.
  43. ^ a b c d e Al-Ghazali, chp. 8.
  44. ^ a b Shibli Nomani, vol 1
  45. ^ Al-Ghazali, chp. 16.
  46. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 2, verse 155.
  47. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 29, verse 2-3.
  48. ^ a b Leaman (2006), p. 554
  49. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 2, verse 153.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g Al-Ghazali, chp. 7.
  51. ^ Imam Birgivi, p. 236
  52. ^ Imam Birgivi, p. 238
  53. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 24, verse 4.
  54. ^ Aisha Stacey (2012). Anger management in Islam: Controlling anger is a sign of righteousness. IslamReligion.com Retrieved 19 Aug 2016.
  55. ^ Aisha Stacey (2012). Anger management in Islam: Islam offers several methods to overcome anger and rage. IslamReligion.com
  56. ^ a b c Al-Ghazali, chp. 10.
  57. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 22, verse 37.
  58. ^ Rassool (2014), p. 64
  59. ^ a b Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck. Muslim Women in America: The Challenge of Islamic Identity Today
  60. ^ a b c Rassool (2014), p. 65
  61. ^ Maariful Quran. Chapter 17, verse 23-24.
  62. ^ Leaman (2006), p.489

Bibliography

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