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The question of morality
The question remains, what is 'morality'?
The modern world will deny its existence and say that all
behavior is natural and therefore should be acceptable. In the
Qur'an however, Allah turns our attention to the wonders of
nature; its harmony, the fact that night and day turn upon each
other in order; animals act according to their instincts, rain
descends on the earth as ordained and birth and death occur
regardless of human effort, while planets orbit and the sun
exists for an appointed time . So also, in the life of the
Muslim, there must be harmony with nature and all that exists and
application of laws and ways that ensure the rights of all - not
just the rights of an elite few.
Human beings, when left with no guidance; no light to guide them
through the travesties of life, will devour the rights of all
within their grasp and seek to usurp legitimate authority and
wisdom. Mankind has been granted 'freedom' by Allah, something
that was not given to the other elements of creation. The freedom
to either obey or disobey Allah. Within each soul lies the basic
knowledge of what is right and wrong; a conscience, an inner
voice that warns the soul of danger and reminds it of its nature.
If ignored and disobeyed this voice becomes weaker and becomes
just as if a light is turned off and the person walks in
spiritual darkness. However, the moment that the soul turns
towards its Creator, sincerely seeking guidance and goodness, a
light will flicker and the soul will be guided to truth, wisdom,
knowledge and innate understanding.
Allah tells us in the Qur'an,
"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The
parable of His Light is as (if there were ) a niche and within it
a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, the glass is as if it were a
brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the
east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of
the west (i.e. not it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, - but
it is exposed to the sun all day long), whose oil would almost
glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon
light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah sets
forth parables for mankind, and Allah is All-Knower of everything."
(Sura An Nur 24:35)
This is not only an individual phenomenon, but this guidance
comes in the form of Books, which were revealed by the All
Merciful throughout time.
All the books of Allah were originally in The Book (Al Lauh al
Mahfuz) which was with Allah before the creation of the universe.
It is the word of Allah, which He chose to reveal throughout
time, by the Angel Gibreel (peace be upon him) piece by piece.
Many of the Prophets received the revelation of The Book
including Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) who received the
revelation of the Taurat, Prophet David (peace be upon him) who
received the revelation of the Zabur (The Psalms), Prophet Jesus
(peace be upon him) who received the revelation of the Injeel (the
Gospel) and finally Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who
received the final revelation; the Qur'an. There were other
Prophets and Messengers throughout time but these books are the
only ones that exist in any form today. All, except the Qur'an
have been tampered with by human hands. By the Mercy of Allah,
the Qur'an remains intact and it is a promise from Allah that the
Qur'an will remain so until the end of time.
Allah says in the Qu'ran,
"That this is indeed an
honourable recital (the Noble Qur'an).
In a Book well-guarded (with Allah in the heaven i.e. Al Lauh Al
Mahfuz)."
(Sura Al Waqi'a 56:77-78)
"And verily, it (the Qur'an and its revelation to Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him) is announced in the scriptures (the
Torah and the Gospel) of former people."
(Sura Ash Shu'ara 26:196)
The message of Muhammad (peace be upon him) was different to the
other prophets inasmuch as it is for all mankind, not just a
specific group of people, and will last until the end of time (the
Day of Judgment). Along with the Qur'an as the source of guidance
for mankind, there is also the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace
and blessings be upon him). The Sunnah is the record of the
sayings, practices and the things, which the Prophet consented to
during his lifetime. Allah orders mankind to obey Him and His
Prophet and obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is
achieved by following the sunnah.
Allah says in the Qur'an,
"And obey Allah and the
Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him) that you may obtain Mercy!"
(Sura Al Imran 3:132)
With the Qur'an and the Sunnah, all problems that are faced by
mankind can be solved, all disputes can be quieted and all fears
can be alleviated. The people who lived at the time of the
Prophet (peace be upon him) were excellent examples of good
character. They had the best example to follow, which is the
Prophet himself. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remains the
example for all mankind to follow. He said, "I did not come
except to teach good character (Akhlaq)."
(Hadith)
What is the moral behavior expected of a Muslim? The moral
behavior enjoined on Muslims, is the same behavior which is
pleasing to the Creator of all, and likewise the behavior that
displeases Him, is forbidden to the Muslim.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Righteousness is good
morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and
which you dislike people finding out about."
(Muslim)
The moral behavior of a Muslim, is that which develops, protects
and raises the dignity of the individual and society. All things
which protect the child, the woman, the man, and the society have
been prescribed and likewise all things that harm the child, the
woman, the man and the society have been declared unlawful. So
things like gambling, extravagance, miserliness, greed,
fornication, adultery, consuming alcohol and intoxicants, taking
drugs and all things which control the mind, theft, murder,
usury, cheating, lying, deception and so on have been forbidden.
All things which harm are not allowed, despite the desire of
those among men who would love to indulge in these things to make
money out of people or simply to satisfy their desires at the
cost of others.
Islam - Between Myth and Reality
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