The ethical discourse in Abrahamic religions relates to the revelation recorded in the

scripture. The ethical tradition in Abrahamic religions manifested through daily life. I will
discuss more regarding ethics and the implementation.

Ethics in Judaism can be seen in the halakhic which contains mitzvot or the covenantal
commandment. Mitzvot are closely related to morals which include obligation in daily life.
Something that I wonder about Jewish ethics is the relationship between Jews and non-
Jews. Non-Jews still recognize obeying the Seven Commandments to the Descendants of
Noah. Interestingly, Jewish tradition prescribes the gentiles to do the morality. In the same
way, Islam also orders humankind-no matter what religion they are—is commanded to know
each other (ta’aruf)—good relations.

The explanation of ethics in Christianity seems related to Greek philosophy. The abstention
from sexuality is an interesting topic of Christian ethics. The doctrine of virginity and celibacy
is one of the famous ethics in Christianity, especially among Catholics. I am amazed by the
way they stay close to God by restraining form sexuality, even though marriage is deemed
less sinful than fornication. It will be different if we are talking about Protestants because
they allowed the adherents to get married. Another interesting explanation is four cardinal
virtues in Christianity cited from Aristotelian and Platonian ethics. I will argue that this ethics
is not derived from Christianity itself but rather influenced by the other. When these ethics
meet with Islam or other religions, then these ethics are also suitable for Islamic doctrine.
Thus, this ethics is from contemplation and human thought instead of from God's revelation.

Corrigan explains about ethics in Islam remain unclear because he did not clearly explain
the differences between akhlaq or adab and ethics. Although ethics in Arabic term is akhlaq,
this term is closely related to morals rather than ethics. George F. Hourani in his
book, Reason and Tradition in Islamic Ethics (1985: 21) mentions that Islamic philosophers
did not produce ethics because Islamic ethics can be seen from faith (iman) and fear
(taqwa). Furthermore, Corrigan mentions the connection between Islamic ethics that
resemble deontological ethics. I have a different opinion on that. Islamic ethics also
resemble teleological ethics that put the main point on the goal. There is a famous hadith
talking about the value of a person’s action based upon his intention (niyya). The intention
also could be a reason or goal that will be achieved by someone. Allah will reward the good
intention with one good deed even if someone has not done it yet. Meanwhile, if someone
does something good but his intention is evil, it will be seen as evil. For instance, the
legislative candidate who gives alms to one who needs during the election it will be deemed
evil. Everything that will we do should be for the sake of Allah. Thus, Islamic ethics resemble
both teleological and deontological ethics.

To conclude, the ethical tradition in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is mainly derived from
the scripture. Nevertheless, the influence of Hellenistic tradition later combines with religious
doctrine and created religious ethics. 

Muhammad Ikhsan Attaftazani

22/502077/PMU/11266
Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies