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TOPIC 9:
Islamic Ethics
Introduction
 Some people said :
 "Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or
wrong.“
 "Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.“
 "Being ethical is doing what the law requires.“
 "Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society
accepts.“
 "I don't know what the word means."
DEFINITION
 Ethics is two things.
1.
Ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what
humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society,
fairness, or specific virtues.
For example, refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to
refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud.
Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and
loyalty. And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to
life, the right to freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such standards are
adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and wellfounded reasons.
Cont…
2.
Ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical
standards.
Feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical.
So it is necessary to constantly examine one's standards to
ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded.
Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our
own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure
that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to
standards that are reasonable and solidly-based.
Cont…
 Ethics (Greek ethika, from ethos, ―character,custom),
principles or standards of human conduct, sometimes
called morals (Latin mores, ―customs), and, by
extension, the study of such principles, sometimes called
moral philosophy.
Ethics and morality in islam
 The word “morality” comes from the Latin word moralitas
meaning “manner, character, and proper behavior”. Morality
generally refers to a code of conduct, that an individual,
group or society hold as authoritative, in distinguishing right
from wrong. Such an ideal code of conduct is often espoused
in preference to other alternatives.
 Islam’s moral system is striking in that it not only defines
morality, but also guides the human race in how to achieve it,
at both an individual as well as a collective level.
Cont….
 Islam is a comprehensive way of life, and morality is one of the
cornerstones Islam. Morality is one of the fundamental sources of
a nation’s strength, just as immorality is one of the main causes of
a nation’s decline.
 Islam has established some universal fundamental rights for
humanity as a whole, which are to be observed in all
circumstances. To uphold these rights, Islam has provided not only
legal safeguards, but also a very effective moral system.
 Thus, whatever leads to the welfare of the individual or the society
and does not oppose any maxims of the religion is morally good in
Islam, and whatever is harmful is morally bad.
Sources of ethics
 Islamic ethics ( ,)‫أخالق إسالمية‬defined as "good character," historically
took shape gradually from the 7th century and was finally established by
the 11th century.
 It was eventually shaped as a successful of the Qur'anic teachings, the
teachings of the Sunnah of Muhammad, the precedents of Islamic jurists
(see Sharia and Fiqh), the pre-Islamic Arabian tradition, and non-Arabic
elements (including Persian and Greek ideas) embedded in or integrated
with a generally Islamic structure.
 Although Muhammad's preaching produced a "radical change in moral
values based on the sanctions of the new religion and the present
religion, and fear of God and of the Last Judgment", the tribal practice
of Arabs did not completely die out. Later Muslim scholars expanded
the religious ethic of the Qur'an and Hadith in immense detail.
Cont…
 The prophet's (S.A.W.) high standard of manners made him a model for
all Muslims to follow. The prophet (S.A.W.) used to emphasize how
important good manners are for Muslims. For example, Imams Bukhari
and Muslim reported that the prophet mentioned the following:
• “The best of you is the best among you in conduct.”
 In another authentic narration, the prophet (S.A.W.) mentioned that:
• “The heaviest thing to be placed in the balance of a believing slave on the Day
of Judgment will be good behavior. And Allah hates the one who uses bad
language.”
 Someone once asked the prophet (S.A.W.) what deed would lead a man
to paradise, and he answered:
• “Taqwa of Allah (piety) and good conduct.”
Cont…
 In other hadiths t he prophet (S.A.W.) made distinctions among
Muslims based on their behaviors; the prophet (S.A.W.) said:
• “The most perfect man in his faith, among the believers, is the one whose
behavior is the most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the
best to their wives.”
 He even clarified that people will be on different levels in Paradise
based on their good manners saying:
• “The dearest and nearest among you to me on the Day of Resurrection
will be the one who is the best in conduct…”
Characteristics of ethics
 Honest
 Refrain from gossip
 Values diversity
 Respect others
Cont…
 The Noble Qur'an mentions several good acts of morality
repeatedly, for example:
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Dealing with your parents in the best manner
Being nice to your relatives and neighbours
Taking care of orphans and the poor
Telling the truth and being honest
Being sincere in all of your intentions
Fulfilling your promises
Treating all people fairly
Characteristics of Work ethics in islam
 Honest
 Responsibility
 Ikhlas
 Dedicated
 Cleanliness and purity
 Discipline
 Thankful (Syukur)