Download Personifies high morals

Personifies high morals
No one can ever deny the importance of high morals in the life of individuals as well
as in the success of all societies, would they be ancient or modern western or
eastern ones; and regardless of the ideologies or religions that govern these
societies. Dr Michael Josephson the founder of Josephson School1 says,
“Religionists and secularists agree that humanity is unique among living creatures in
its capacity to understand good and evil and to choose between them. Whether we
call it morality or ethics, whether we think in terms of our souls or our character, all
who have pondered the purpose and potential of human life conclude that a virtuous
life is the best life.” Teddy Roosevelt’s observation is but to enhance this idea, he
said: "To educate a person in the mind but not the morals is to educate a menace to
society. » In fact a society or even a civilization without morals is doomed to collapse
or to fall. For instance, most of historians agree that among the factors that caused
the fall of Rome is the decline in morals. Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher,
stated, “True happiness can therefore be attained only through the cultivation of the
virtues that make a human life complete.”
The need for a moral standard
There should be then a moral standard for individuals and societies to follow. A
moral standard is the guideline or methodology for making moral decisions. But the
standard also has to include the authority behind it. The only possible moral authority
that has any authority is our Creator. Corporations are run by individuals. If God is
their moral authority, then the corporation is bound to the authority of God.
Otherwise, the individuals may change their policy at any time for any reason. Two
Christian philosophers J.P. Moreland and William Craig define morality in this way:
“Moral values and duties are to be explicated in terms of God’s nature and will rather
than of self-interest, social contract, or common happiness”.
Islam and high moral standards
Islam as a final religion came with a complete, balanced and exhaustive moral
standard. Furthermore, Islam teaches its adherents that they are Allah’s Khalifas
(representatives) on earth and that they have to carry His commands for the welfare
of all mankind. Such a role requires that the Muslim should personify high moral
standards.
Indeed the perfection of morals was the foremost mission of the prophet Muhammed
(SAWS)2. He said in a hadith narrated by Abu-Hurayra, “I was but sent to
1 An Institute in the USA that develops and delivers services and materials to increase ethical commitment,
competence, and practice in all segments of society
2 Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him]
complement the most noble of manners.”3 Also, Narrated by Aicha, “His manners
were those of the Qur’an.”4 Allah5 (God) (SWT)6describes him in the Qur’an as
follows, “And surely you are indeed of a magnificent character.” (TMQ7, 68:4).
Therefore, one of the foremost responsibilities of a Muslim is to model good
human relations, following the example of the prophet (SAWS). D.C. Sharma,
says describing the prophet (SAWS),
"Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and
never forgotten by those around him."8
George Bernard Shaw said about him:
"He must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like
him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would
succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much
needed peace and happiness.” 9
Sayings, stories and examples of the Prophet’s personality were safeguarded and
passed down to help subsequent Muslims maintain his example for perfecting
personality, conduct and morality for all time. Not only the important events of his life,
but the record of his daily conduct, from birth to passing, is written with great detail on
the pages of history. Many of his sayings, doings, actions and details of his conduct
and character have been preserved. In short, his whole prophethood – at home, in
the mosque and outside – was fully known to his companions, and was recorded in
books so that the following generations could have a model to follow.
A sample of a good Muslim
Taking the prophet as a model, the Muslim is an example of good treatment and
consideration of others’ feelings and sensitivities whether is he dealing with his
parents, wife, brothers, sisters, children, neighbours, friends, collegues or even the
people he encounters in his daily life. His relationship with all these people is the best
and purest of relationships because it is based on the love for the sake of Allah.
Hence, he is truthful and sincere with all of them; and does not cheat nor deceive nor
betray them.
He measures all his habits, traditions, impulses, desires against Islamic standards.
He is generous and does not remind others of his gifts or favours. He is not a
3 Narrated by Abu-Huraira. Also by al-Hakem no. 4221, al-Bayhakei no. 20571 and al-Albany no. 45.
4 Ahmad no. 25341.
5 The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with
Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the
One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English
term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in
Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah,
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
6 Suhanahu wa Ta’ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].
7 TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the
stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it
in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
8 (D.C. Sharma, The Prophets of The East, Calcutta, 1935, pp. 12)
9 Shaw, G.B. 1936. The genuine Islam. V. 1, No. 8. Singapore
hypocrit; he refrains from gossiping or mocking others. He is tolerant; he mixes with
people, bears and pardons their mistreatment. He is cheerful; he tries to make people
around him happy as much as he can.
He is hard-working and seeks perfection in his work. He doesn’t feel self satisfaction
and is often self-critical and tries to develop his personality towards the better. He is
aware of his defaults and tries to improve himself as much as he can.
Al-Ghazali stated that the Muslim has to be a “godly man”, that is, that which is
pleasing to God, should be pleasing to him and vice versa. He describes this Godly
man as follows,
“The godly man is wise, courageous and temperate in the noblest sense of the
words, and in the highest degree. He engages in worship, prayers, fasting,
alms-giving, and similar acts, but his duties to God do not exclude his duties to
family, relatives, friends, neighbors, slaves, subjects and society as a whole.
He must earn his livelihood by strictly honest means. He must cultivate the
best manners for all occasions, namely, he should know how to carry himself
best at the table, in society, while traveling, and at the gathering of godly
people and avoid causing the slightest pain to his fellowmen on any account.
The Prophet should be his ideal and his inspiration all through his life. Lastly,
his duty is not only to reform and perfect all the aspects of his life but to reform
his fellowmen as well. And the motive force behind a perfect life is nothing
other than the love and fear of God.”10
Acts of worship and moral conduct
Even acts of worship are tightly related to moral conduct. For instance Haj is not
accepted if the Muslim does not behave well with pilgrims. Allah (SWT)
says,”...whoever ordains (upon himself) the Pilgrimage in them, then there shall
be no lying with (womenfolk), nor evident immorality, nor disputing in the
Pilgrimage...” (TMQ, 2: 197). The same thing for charity, “...O you have believed,
do not void your donations with obliging (reproach) and hurt, as one who
expends his wealth (for the sake) of showing off to mankind and does not
believe in Allah and the Last Day...” (TMQ, 2: 264). Also fasting lacks reward if the
Muslim does not observe good manners during the whole period of fast.
Dr Michael Josephson made a keen observation about Ramadan, he said, “Like
Christianity and Judaism, many rituals and prayers in islam are designed to define
and demand virtuous personal conduct. Muslims are to be even more self-conscious
than normal about strengthening their faith and family ties and controlling negative
emotions like envy, greed, anger, and lust. They must also avoid words that demean
or injure others. The self-discipline and sacrifice entailed in the daytime fasting is
considered an act of deep personal worship designed to stimulate understanding,
sympathy, and charity for those who are less fortunate. All this brings the worshipper
closer to God (Allah).”11
From the above we can deduce that Islam is not just an identity, nor is it just a
compilation of sensless acts of worship. It is, rather, an interrelated entity between
10 Al-Ghazali, M. 1996. Muslim’s character.
11 “Ramadan: The High Holy Days for Muslims” 532.1, article by Dr Josephson on www.charactercounts.org
faith, acts of worship and moral conduct. It is a thorough religion that takes into
consideration all the aspects of the life of humans.