Moral Values

(1) Introduction:

The best among you is the person who is best morally. (Bukhari)

Being a perfect and dynamic religion, Islam prescribes everlasting moral values that are pivotal to building
a strong and clean body, a sound mind, a satisfied heart and a content soul. These moral values shaped
and inspired Muslims’ individual and social life for more than 1400 years. They are thoroughly taught by
Holy Quran and perfectly represented by the Prophet (PBUH). Only in one chapter of Holy Quran, Surah
Bani Israel, Allah gave seventeen commandments of morality like extreme kindness to parents, giving their
due to poor and needy, moderation, keeping the promises etc. Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) stated the foremost purpose of his being sent down in this world as

I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting good morals. (Musnad Ahmad)

(2) Difference btw Islamic and other moral systems of the world:

Other Moral system of World Islamic Moral system

In other systems of the world there exists no
knowledge of any Divine purpose behind man’s
creation. As a result, they have been failed to
determine any consistent pattern of moral
behavior.
Each moral system is also offering different
standards for good and bad actions and
enunciating different means of distinguishing
good from evil.
Differences also exist in respect of sanction behind
the moral law and in regard to the motives which
impel a person to follow it.
On a deeper reflection it is found that the grounds
for these differences emerge from conflicting
views and concepts about the universe, the place
of man in it and the purpose of man’s life on earth.
The present moral systems of the world failed to
integrate various virtues and norms by prescribing
their specific limits and utility. That is why they
also fail to provide a balanced plan of social
conduct.
These systems also failed to make man adopt
them with integrity and genuineness, because of
lack of strong incentives for virtuous life.
Islam sets “the attainment of God’s pleasure” as
the highest objective of man’s life. In this way,
Islam has furnished the highest possible standard
of morality.
By making Divine revelations as the primary
source of knowledge it gives permanence and
stability to the moral standards which afford
reasonable scope for genuine adjustments and
adaptations.
It provides a sanction to morality in the love and
fear of God, which will urge man to obey the moral
law even without any external pressure.
In viewpoint of Islam the universe is the creation
of God. He alone is its unrivaled Master and
Sustainer. He is All-Wise, All-Powerful and
Omniscient. Man is His creature and is born to
serve and worship Him. This fundamental attitude
of Islam towards life gives its moral system
absolute coherence.
It does not through a false sense of originality and
innovation provide any novel moral virtues nor
does it seek to minimize the importance of well-
known moral norms or give exaggerated
importance to some and neglect others.
Through belief in God and the Day of Judgment it
furnishes a force which enables a person to adopt
the moral conduct with seriousness and sincerity,
with all the devotion of heart and soul.
(3) Moral Values in Islam:

“God has given me nine commands: to remain conscious of God, whether in private or in public; to speak
justly, whether angry or pleased; to show moderation both when poor and when rich, to reunite
friendship with those who have broken off with me; to give to him who refuses me; that my silence should
be occupied with thought; that my looking should be a warning; and that I should command what is right.”

Following are the moral characters and values preached by the Quran and that the Prophet PBUH had
encouraged during his lifetime through his teachings and noble character.

(a) Individual Moral Values:

i. Dignity of Man: Humans are not allowed to cause harm to each other’s lives

In moral values, the most important aspect is dignity of human life. Islam ordains that a Muslim must be
kind towards and helpful to other human beings, and no one is allowed to cause harm to life of another
person. Homicide is considered the grisliest of crimes and a severe sin. It may be judged from the fact that
in verse 32 of Surah Al-Maidah (The Table Spread), Allah Almighty declares killing of one person as killing
whole humanity and saving the life of one person as saving the whole humanity. Moreover, murder is the
only sin for which Allah Almighty has prescribed four kinds of punishments;

“But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and
Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment. (An-
Nisa)

Islam also declares that a Muslim is not allowed to cause harm to the prestige and honor of any person.

ii. Humility and Modesty: God sanctioned His love to those who are humble and His wrath to those who
are boastful

Humility is one of the most important aspect of servanthood. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:

“God elevates the humble and degrades the arrogant.” (Ibn e Majah)

As the opposite of humility, pride is a forbidden behavior in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:

“Anyone who has in his or her heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.
(Muslim)

Qur’an also degrades pride:

“Do not turn your face from people in scornful pride, nor move on earth arrogantly. Surely God does not
love anyone proud and boastful.” (Luqman)

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) indicated that faith cannot be possible without modesty:

“Modesty is an ingredient of faith.” (Muslim)

iii. Unity and Brotherhood: Allah has created all humans from a single soul and thus commanded them
to care for others like they care for themselves

Mankind is one community. (Baqarah)

Racial distinction or dividing mankind into different compartments of communities and nations by
drawing lines on the globe is antagonistic to the very idea of humanity as a single entity, and is against the
intents and purpose of nature. There is only one criterion for a division and no other—that those who
believe in permanent values are members of one community and those who care not for them, go some
other division of a different community. As Allah said in Quran:

He it is Who created you, but one of you is an unbeliever and another of you is a believer; and Allah sees
what you do. (al-Taghabun)

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) also set high standards for brotherhood in Muslim community:

“No one is truly believer until he likes for his neighbor or his brother in Islam as whatever he likes for
himself.” (Bukhari)

iv. Generosity: All the treasures a man possess is bestowed by Allah upon him, so he should share it
with its creatures

Another good character of a believer that makes him closer to God is generosity. Prophet Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.) spent his life and his possessions for the sake of God. Once Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said:

“The generous are near to God, Paradise, and people, but distant from the Fire. The miserly are distant
from God, Paradise, and people, but near to the Fire.” (Tirmidhi)

Once, a Bedouin came and asked the Messenger for something. The Messenger complied with his request.
The Bedouin continued to ask, and the Messenger continued to give until he had nothing left. When the
Bedouin asked again, he promised that he would give it to him when he had it. Umar angered to this
rudeness and said to the Messenger: “You were asked and you gave. Again you were asked and you gave,
until you were asked once more and you promised!” Umar meant that the Messenger should not make
things so difficult for himself. The Messenger did not approve of Umar’s words. Another companion stood
up and said: “O Messenger, give without fear that God will make you poor!” The Messenger pleased with
these words and said: “I was commanded to do so!” (Ibn Kathir)

v. Trustworthiness: A Person who speaks the truth and keeps his promises is always at ease

Trustworthiness is an essential character of Muslims. Being trustworthy implies being honest, fair in
dealings and punctual (in terms of both regularity and timeliness); keeping promises and commitments;
and honoring trusts which are left to someone to protect or keep. The opposite of being trustworthy is
lying, dishonesty, breach of trusts and betrayal. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), even before his
Prophethood, was known to be Al-Amin (the trustworthy one).

God praises the truthful believers by promising them Paradise:

“They are faithful and true to their trusts and to their pledges. ... Those are the inheritors, who will inherit
the highest floor of Paradise. Therein they will stay forever.” (al-Mumineen)

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) also explained that telling truth leads to Paradise:
“It is obligatory for you to tell the truth, for truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise….and beware
of telling of a lie for telling of a lie leads to vice and vice leads to Hell-Fire. (Bukhari)

He PBUH once also said:

“A Muslim may commit other sins but a Muslim cannot be a liar.” (Muslim)

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) indicated that dishonesty and betrayal are completely at odds with the
Islamic faith and they are signs of a hypocrite:

“A hypocrite is known by three characteristics: When he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he denies;
when he is entrusted, he cheats.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

vi. Tolerance and patience:

Tolerance also holds an important place in Islamic ethics and moral values. The Muslims are directed, time
and again, in the Holy Quran and Sunnah to face problems and troubles with tolerance and patience and
to seek Allah’s help through Salat and patience. For example, in verse 17 of Surah Luqman, Hazrat Luqman
advised his son to bear the problems of life with patience. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions
(RA) faced enormous problems at the hands of infidels of Makkah but they never adopted non-tolerant
or impatient attitude. When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) went to Taif for preaching the message of Islam, he
(PBUH) was pelted with stones and was critically injured. At that moment, the angel Gabriel sought
permission from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for the annihilation of the Taif people. Even at that time, the
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “I have been sent as a prophet of mercy, and not as prophet of wrath.” – a
unique and unparalleled example of tolerance.

vii. Kindness and Mercy: God’s mercy is upon those who are merciful to His creatures

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. (al-Anbiya)

Mercy is the one of the most important value in the moral system of Islam. Its importance can be known
by the fact; Allah has declared his beloved Prophet as a mercy to all the worlds. And Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) was so merciful that on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, when the Muslims were in a
position to avenge all atrocities inflicted by the infidels, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) pardoned all of them,
even his archenemy Abu Sufyan by announcing a general amnesty – a unique and unparalleled example
of mercy.

“Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creature.” (Tirmidhi)

Once the Prophet PBUH heard crying of a child in the company of his mother during prayer and he would
then recite only a short portion of the Quran (to end the prayer and let the mother comfort her child).
(Bukhari)
(b) Social Responsibilities:

i. Parents and Relatives: The first claim upon a person’s good character is of his/her parents and close
relatives

Respect and care for parents and relatives are very much stressed in the Islamic teaching and is a very
important part of a Muslim’s expression of faith. Related verses of Qur’an are

“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him alone, and treat parents with the best of kindness.
(Al-Isra)

A person came and asked to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.): “Who among the people is most deserving
of a fine treatment from my hand?” Prophet said: “Your mother.” He asked again: “Then who (is the next
one)?” Prophet replied: “Again it is your mother.” He asked again: “Then who (is the next one)?” Prophet
replied: “Again it is your mother.” He asked again: “Then who (is the next one)?” Prophet replied: “Again

it is your mother.” He asked again: “Then who (is the next one)?” Then prophet replied: “Then it is your
father.”

Once Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said: “Let him be humbled, let him be humbled.” The companions
asked: “O God’s Messenger, who is he?” He replied: “He who finds his parents in old age, either one or
both of them, and does not enter Paradise.”

In regards to relatives, Allah said in Quran:

“And give his due to the relative, as well as the needy and the traveler; and do not waste (your wealth)
senselessly.” (al-Isra)

ii. Neighbors: A Person should always take care of his neighbor if he wants to be elevated in eyes of
Allah:

Caring, helping and respecting neighbors are among fundamental duties in Islam. Qur’an mentions:

“And worship God and do not associate anything as a partner with Him; do good to your parents in the
best way possible, and to the relatives, orphans, the need of the community, the neighbor who is near,
the neighbor who is distant.” (an-Nisa)

Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) emphasized the importance of good relationships with neighbors:

“He is not a believer who fills his stomach when his neighbor is hungry”. (Bukhari)

“The finest person in the sight of God is the one who is best to his friends and his neighbors.” (Muslim)

iii. Orphans, Widows and Needy: They are the most deserving sections of society and no one should do
any kind of injustice with them

Widows, orphans, and the poor need the most understanding, sympathy, and caring of others in the
society. It is essential in Islam that believers strive hard to assist and support widows and the poor. Qur’an
accuses the ones who does not support orphans with the denial of religion:

“Have you seen the One who denies religion? It is he who turns away the orphan and does not urge others
to feed the poor ...” (Al-Maun)
Other verses of Qur’an related to this subject are as follows:

“Restore their property to the orphans (when they come of age), and do not exchange the corrupt for
the good, nor consume their property by mixing it up with your own. For doing that would be a great
crime.” (an-Nisa)

“Therefore, do not oppress the orphan;” (ad-Duhaa)

Related sayings of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) are:

“The person who strives for the widows and the poor is like the one who strives in the way of God.”
(Bukhari)

“I and the person who brings up an orphan will be like this in heavens.” He put his index and middle finger
together.” (Bukhari)

iv. Animals and Environment: Besides Fellow human beings, animals and other living organisms also
deserve a person’s good moral behavior

According to Islam, Muslims are morally responsible not only to his parents, relatives and neighbors but
also to the entire mankind, animals and trees and plants. For example, hunting of birds and animals for
the sake of game is not permitted in Islam. Similarly, cutting trees and plants which yield fruit is forbidden
unless there is a very pressing need for it.

Once a dog was going round the well and was about to die out of thirst. A prostitute of Bani Israel
happened to see it. So she took off her leather sock and lowered it into the well. She drew out some water
and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of her action.

Once Holy Prophet PBUH said:

When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity
and whatever is subtracted from it is charity. (Muslim)

(4) Forbidden Behaviors: Traits that are not only prohibited but also make a person punishable both in
this world and in world Hereafter

1. Illegitimate and unnatural sexual relations:

Islam ordains only decent and legitimate relationship between members of opposite sexes. For that
purpose, Islam accentuates the institution of marriage for fulfilling our physical needs, and strictly
prohibits unpleasant and immoral tendencies like adultery/fornication, sodomy, child abuse, sexual
harassment, homosexuality, etc. Islam strongly condemns adultery and declares it a major sin as it pollutes
the matter of establishing paternity, promotes indecent tendencies in a society and spoils the honor of
families. In this regard, Allah Almighty says

“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”
(Bani Israel)

In Quran Allah ordered Muslim men and women both to cast down their gazes and to protect their
modesty.
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them…. And tell the
believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except
what normally appears.” (an-Nur)

2. Backbiting:

Backbiting is strictly prohibited as the Allah said, “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, for some
suspicion is a grave sin; and do not spy (on one another), nor backbite (against one another). Would any
of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother?”. (al-Hujarat)

3.Gossiping:

Another evil, which usually accompanies backbiting and strictly forbidden by Islam, is gossiping. Gossiping
is defined as passing on to others what you hear from someone in such a way that will cause dissension
among people and break their relationships.

4. Act of ridicule and slander:

No one is allowed to ridicule or insult others. The following verses of Qur’an prohibits slandering in society:

O you who believe! let not some people among you slander another people, it may be that the latter are
better than the former. Do not defame one, nor insult one another with nicknames (which they dislike).
... Whoever (does that and then) does not turn to God in repentance, those are indeed wrongdoers. (al-
Hujarat)

5. Oppression:

“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the people are safe.” (Bukhari)

“God has revealed to me that you should adopt humility so no one oppresses the other. (Riyadh-us-
salaheen)

Other practices which Islam strictly prohibits are fortune-telling, magic, gambling, lottery, drinking etc.

(5) Conclusion:

Verily, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character and who are most kind to
their families. (Tirmidhi)

Though moral sense is inborn in man and has remained there since the beginning, still there exists a need
to furnish it up to an applicable standard. Therefore, Islam presented a moral system encompassing such
universal principles that are both necessary and sufficient for the prosperity and happiness of humanity
as a whole. It is based on purification of heart from egoism, indiscipline, recklessness, carnal desires and
adoption of higher qualities such as piety, modesty, humility, abstinence, and discipline. This system of
morality is sanctioned by the love and fear of God. It also has attributes of permanence and stability due
to Divine revelations as its source. Thus humanity would be doomed both in this world and in the world
Hereafter if it fails to adopt it.