UNGS 2050 : Lecture

The importance of Ethics and Morals in Islam


- The Prophet (saw) summed up the main objective of his message in the following words:


“ I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting good morals.”

- This indicates that the ultimate purpose of Islam is nothing else but to strengthen the moral character of the people.

- When we examine the teachings of Islam, we can conclude that Islam is the name of two things :

a) Good morality among human beings
b) Good relation between human beings and Allah (swt) in the spiritual sense.


1. The relation between good morals and the pillars of Islam

The obligations enjoined by Islam are designed as continuous exercises and training to enable Muslims to acquire good morals and habit and to live righteously. They aim at inculcating good habits and fine morals for leading a morally bound life.

a) Salat

وَأَقِمْ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنْ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ
“ And establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from indecency and evil” (29: 45)

b. Zakat

خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ(103)
“Take alms of their wealth, so that it may purify and sanctify them” (9: 103)

c. al-Siyyam (fasting)

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ(183)
O you who believe! Fasting was made compulsory for you, as it was made compulsory for those who preceded you, so that you may become righteous”. (2: 183)

" من لم يدع قول الزرو والعمل به فليس الله حاجة فى أن يدع طعامه وشرابه" (البخارى)
“ Allah has nothing to do so with the fasting of those who did not avoid perjury, lying and false accusation and acting upon them.”

d) al-Hajj

الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَعْلُومَاتٌ فَمَنْ فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ
“ The pilgrimage is (performed in) the well-known months, so whoever determines the performance of the pilgrimage therein, there shall be no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage”.(2: 197)

2. Making and keeping friends

- There two main ways through which one can get support and friendship of people : a) money , b) good morals and nice treatment.

- No matter who wealthy one is, he would not be able to win the hearts of people around him by means of his wealth. The best and lasting way to this is good morals.

عن أبى هريرة مرفوعا: "إنكم لا تسعون الناس بأموالكم يسعهم منكم بسط الوجه وحسن الخلق"

It is reported that the Prophet (saw) said: “you cannot afford to win the hearts of people through your wealth, but you can win their hearts with a smiling face and good morals.”

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "يا عائشة إن الشر الناس منزلة عند الله يوم القيامة من ودعه أو تركه الناس اتقاء فحشه (الفحش: القبيح من القول والفعل)" (صحيح مسلم)

“ In the eye of Allah (swt), the worst amongst people in rank on the day of Resurrection is one whom the people abandon on order to avoid his indecency.”


3. To build good reputation

Adopting high qualities and fine morals is the best way to build a good reputation. Honesty, sincerity, leniency, helping people and treating them in a good manner will bring respect as well as more customers and clients.


4. Good morals are equal to superfluous rituals ( rituals other than obligatory ones )
عن عائشة قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله زسلم يقول : "إن المؤمن ليدرك بحسن خلقه درجة الصائم القائم" (الترمذى)
“ A believer by virtue of his good morals attains the status of perpetual faster and night-vigiler.”
عن أبى هريرة قال: "قال رجل يا رسول الله إن فلانة تذكر من كثرة صلاتها وصيامها وصدقتها غير أنها تؤذى جيرانها بلسانها قال هى فى النار قال: يا رسول الله فإن فلانة تذكر من قلة وصيامها وصدقتها صلاتها وإنها تصدق بلأثوار من الأقط ولا تؤذى جيرانها بلسانها قال هى فى الجنة" (مسند أحمد)
It is narrated by Imam Ahmad on the authority of Abu Huraira: “One person asked the Prophet (saw) : O Messenger of Allah ! A certain women is famous for the superfluous prayers, fasting and charities, but she harms her neighbours. Tell me, what will be her fate? He replied that she is in Hell. Then that person asked: O Messenger of Allah ! Another women does not much by way of superfluous prayers and fasting and she gives pieces of cheese in charity but she does not harm her neighbours. He replied: She is of the Paradise.” (Ahmad)


5. The best of people are those who possess the best moral qualities.
روى الطبرانى أن أناسا جاءوا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فسئلوه: " من أحب عبادالله الى الله ؟ قال: أحسنهم خلقا" (رواه الطبرانى)
The prophet (saw) was asked: Whom Allah likes most amongst His subjects? He replied : “The one who possesses superior moral qualities.”

عن عبدالله بن عمرو قال: "لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاحشا ولا متفحشا، وقال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن من أخيركم أحسنكم خلقا" (صحيح البخارى)
Abdullah ibn ‘umar said: The Messenger of Allah never indulged in indecent talk nor was discourteous. He used to say: “The best amongst you are those who are two owners of the best morality.”


6. Good morals are the weightiest on the scale of deeds
عن أبى الدرداء أن النبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " ما شيئ أثقل فى ميزان المؤمن يوم القيامة من خلق حسن وإن الله ليبغض الفاحش البذىء" (الترمذى )
“On the Day of Judgement nothing will be weightier on the scale of a believer than good morality.”


7. Good morals obliterate the sins as well as bad morals spoil good deeds
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "الخلق الحسن يذيب الخطايا كما يذيب الماء الجليد، والخلق السوء يفسد العمل كما يفسد الخل العسل" (البيهقى)
“Courtesy and good morality melt the sin just like water melts the ice. And immorality vitiates good deeds as vinegar spoils honey.”

8. Attracting people to Islam through exemplifying its noble principles and teachings.