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Writer's pictureJohn B. Parisutham

Ethics in Islam

Like any other religion, Islam has a definite Code of ethics. These are based decidedly on Sunnah. What Mohammed did, is right and commendable. What he rejected, is wrong and to be condemned. Thus, the basis of the Islamic religion is peaceful and understanding. While people twist the belief around to fit their own needs. It is based on the teachings of Muhammad. He was born in Mecca, which is the capital of Islamic belief.

Muhammad was born and raised in the city of Mecca. He grew up as a merchant and had a wife. He would wander around outside of the city by himself often. He wandered so much that he had no job but his wife believed in him so she supported him. One day he had a vision of the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Gabriel told him that he was a prophet and he should spread the word of god. He went back to Mecca and told everyone what had happened and decided to teach everyone the way of God. No one believed him and he was ridiculed for his beliefs. So he decided to go on a trip which was called the “Hijra”. When he came back to Mecca he had many converts. Then the people of Mecca started to believe him and became converts themselves. This is the story of Muhammad and his teachings. All this and more were written down in the Muslim holy book, the “Koran”.

     The five pillars are the five ways to be a good and decent Muslim. The first pillar is “Shahadah” which is to declare your belief by saying shahadah. Which means declaring god or Allah is almighty, and believing in the prophethood of Muhammad. The second pillar is “Salah” or prayer. Prayer must be done five times a day towards Mecca or the general direction of Mecca. The third pillar is “Zakah” or tax on the wealth. Everyone must give a percent of their earnings to the poor. The fourth pillar is “Sawm” which is fasting during the month of Ramadan. The fifth and last pillar is to at least once in their lives to “Hajj” or make a trip to Mecca when one is willing and able to.

However, the most important thing is the source of ethics in Islam which we believe is two main sources which are The Holly Quran (speech of Allah) and the Sunah of the prophet (what he did and what he rejected to do).Thus, in Islam we have three main principles which are AQIDAH (Faith and Believe), SHARIAH (Practices and Activities) and Akhlaq (Morality and Ethics). Thus, Ethics and morality which are the fundamental Akhlaq principle in Islam are conceptually different; Ethics indicates moral philosophy and theoretical background of human conducts for instance why specific actions are proper or otherwise. While morality signifies the actual practice of moral philosophy which is more on actions and manners for instance what is the proper or improper behavior of a man.

Allah the only creator mentioned his Koran “God doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are due’ and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice, verily how excellent the teachings which he giveth you! For god is He heareth and sees all things.’’ In Islam, Kindness, Generosity, Self-discipline and cultural of forgiving are the example of ethics mentioned in the Holly Koran. Once again allah says in the Koran ‘’ There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the day of resurrection, than the good manners.’’ Moreover, some of the good ethical examples that our prophet practices are  Good actions and best conduct in tongue and deeds, avoiding backbiting and tale-carrying and spreading love and goodwill between people, unity and peace; the prophet told us that he was sent to accomplish the noble virtues and to be an ideal and perfect model of humanity.

In addition, the task of Islamic ethics is to understand and expound the ethos of Islam as conceived in the Koran and elaborated in Sunah of the prophet; to discuss the general terms used in Islamic morals such as good, bad, right, wrong, meritorious, responsibility and obligation; to discuss how Islamic ethics in related to and influenced by Islamic faith in Islam; to pronounce judgment on problems that are forced by the Islamic society to determine what is right or wrong. All in all, the fundamental Ethical principles in Islam are Unity, Equilibrium, Freedom and Responsibility.

In conclusion we know that there is so much trouble in the world because of guys who like to change the meaning of some things in religion when it is obvious what they mean. The Islamic religion teaches to be tolerant and respectful of other people’s religion. When they actually are not, we fight with them when we believe in the same god. So it’s not the religion at fault but actually just a few people who mess it up for the rest. I just wonder how people follow these people who are probably complete idiots. That’s just my opinion on the current events that are happening today.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Islam religion is Prefect but the people Muslims may not be. And that is misunderstanding and misconception that westerns believe even though it is not correct and like any other religion Islam may have some people who don’t follow the religion as it is.


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