Every religion has its own ethics and there are deeds which are regarded as noble while other deeds are regarded devil. Similarly, islam has code of ethics which define the behaviors of a Muslim person and anyone who practises good ethical values under Islam will be rewarded in this life and the one after death. As mentioned in the sacred Quran, our prophet Mohamed PBUH was sent to teach the good manners not only his followers but all the human beings. This phrase summarizes the main motive which Islam is revealed. Islam was revealed in the Arabian peninsula which at the time was going through civil wars and barbaric cultures. Fortunately, Islam achieved to change people life and those who were rival before Islam become brothers under Islam and they all live in harmony together. Before I start discussing Islamic ethics, I would share an amazing story which I think is the perfect explanation of this topic.
The story shows how our the prophet PBUH used to deal with people by making everyone feel that their problems was in fact his own problem, and their worry was indeed his own. Once, when the Prophet PBUH stood on his pulpit to address the people, a man entered the mosque. He looked at the Messenger of Allah PBUH and said: “O Messenger of Allah!”, and then began to ask him about his religion, for he knew little about it. The Prophet PBUH turned to him and noticed that he was a Bedouin( a rural man) who might not have been able to wait for the sermon to finish in order to obtain an answer. He feared that the man may have even left the mosque and never returned. The issue was of utmost importance to the man, to such an extent that he had interrupted the sermon in order to ask about religious rulings! The Prophet PBUH was thinking from the perspective of others and not his own. Thus, he PBUH descended from his noble pulpit and called for a chair to be brought. He PBUH sat in front of the man and began teaching and explaining religious rulings to him until he understood. He then stood up and returned to his pulpit to finish his sermon. How great he was! How persevering he was! There is no leader in today’s world who gives that much attention to his people, who will stop during an interview with TV or higher people to satisfy a man from rural or a man without knowledge. However, the best of all creations, our prophet did that and take all people into account. This is one of the many stories on who the Prophet PBUH treated to the people. He was their leader and he was not having a good and nice house, rather he was very poor and sometimes he did not find something to eat from his house. That shows how Islamic ethics convey respect, love, caring and humbleness. During his time, all people were treated equally starting from the leaders to the poor ones. You can find this story and many other interesting ones about Muslim ethics on ENJOY YOUR LIFE, a marvelous book written by Shiekh Abuldulrahim.
Islam is a comprehensive way of life, and morality is one of the cornerstones Islam. Morality is one of the fundamental sources of a nation’s strength, just as immorality is one of the main causes of a nation’s decline. Islam has established some universal fundamental rights for humanity as a whole, which are to be observed in all circumstances. To uphold these rights, Islam has provided not only legal safeguards, but also a very effective moral system. Thus, whatever leads to the welfare of the individual or the society and does not oppose any maxims of the religion is morally good in Islam, and whatever is harmful is morally bad.Given its importance in a healthy society, Islam supports morality and matters that lead to it, and stands in the way of corruption and matters that lead to it. The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim is “Virtuous Deeds”. This term covers all deeds, not only acts of worship. The Guardian and Judge of all deeds is God Himself. Muslims must be in controls of their passions and desires.The most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim are piety and humility. A Muslim must be humble with God and with other people:
“And turn not your face away from people (with pride), nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster. And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass.” (Quran 31:18-19).
The following two hadiths show how islam encourages good behaviors and manners. It aslo states that treating good with all starts from ones family, and Islam believes the whole communitys starts from the family so the manners of families should be kept according the religion.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.61 Narrated by Masruq
We were sitting with ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr who was narrating to us (Hadith). He said that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘The best among you are the best in character (having good manners).’ “
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4782 Narrated by Abu Umamah
The Prophet (saws) said: ‘I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right; a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking; and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.’
If I try to continue listing ethics of Islam I could not finish within this two pages, and I believe as Allah mentioned in his book that Islam left nothing on guiding the people. It was the main mission of our prophet to complete good manners and I am not saying that Islam is the best, but I challenge anyone who reads this article to ask me any aspect of ethical issues or ways of life that was not mentioned under Islam. I will be available to answer and clarify any misconceptions.