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CORE ETHICAL TEACHINGS
Good evening I’m Kate and I’m Sam. Welcome to our special edition of SOR. Today we
have special guests Anisa, Khadijah and Aisyah from the Islamic community of
Wollongong. They will be speaking to us about the core ethical teachings of Islam. So sit
back and relax.
1.
Can you please explain Islamic Jurisprudence? Well, it’s the system of laws
applied in Islamic countries, based on the Qur’an, the Sunna, the Hadith, ijma and qiyas
2.
Would you mind explaining ijma and qiyas for us? Ijma is the consensus
reached among religious leaders as to how old teachings should be applied in modern
times. Qiyas is the use of reason and analogy so to expand on religious law
3.
Who are the religious leaders? There are the Imam who lead the church
forward, the Khatib who deliver the Friday sermon and the Ulama, who are Islamic
lawyers and considered most knowledgeable on religious law. The Ulama are
responsible for ijma and qiyas.
4.
Do both the Sunni and Shi’ias Muslims have the same leaders? No they don’t,
nor do they have the same law systems. The Shi’ias do not have the procedure of ijma.
Their religious lawyers, the Ayatollahs, are instead said to be moved by divine wisdom.
The Mufti, or chief judge, has the power to give ‘formal opinion’, which whilst is not law
does hold considerable authority.
5. Khadidjah, could you please explain the Islamic law, otherwise known as
“Shar’iah” Well, in Islamic terms “Islam” means surrender to God
6. So if Islam means surrender to God then what is the purpose of the Islamic law?
Islamic law provides details as to core ethics and rituals which provide a sense of
holiness essential to a Muslims salvation hence the “Shar’iah law”
7. What are the other components related to the religious law?
Hmmmmm, ok Kate in simple terms the religious law primarily covers secular
behaviour as well as religious behavior. In saying this, “Shar’iah” truly means the clear
path to be followed.
8. So for someone learning about the Islamic law, how should one approach
understanding the Qur’an? The Qur’an is an extremely sacred text within the Muslim
belief. In terms of studying the Qur’an text the Hadith and Sunna provide a
comprehensive understanding. Therefore where there is no guidance or direction by
the Qur’an or Hadith the law is determined by ‘Ijma’ and “qiyas”.
9. Is this then a commonly practiced law? Well Kate, due to the complex nature of the
Shar’iah law this text can not reveal one specific path alone. In saying this, the Shar’iah
law therefore depends and relies on the type of Islamic law practiced?
10. So how then does the ‘Shar’iah’ law relate to human morals, ethics and
actions? Well, in terms of human actions, the ‘Shar’iah’ monitors behavior dealt with
before Allah and other Muslim members.
11. What does the Qur’an reveal about Allah will for all human kind? Well, Kate the
Qur’an reveals common laws which cover all human actions. This laws guides, directs
and leads Muslims the appropriate way of life, encompassing the ideal morals and
ethics. However, it does not only deal with traditional lifestyle actions but, also with
deep spiritual concerns of faith. The five pillars are the main ethical duties specified in
the Qur’an.
12. How would one go about following the Shar’iah law? Hmmmmm, well this is a
question I hadn’t really prepared for, but anyway. The Shar’iah law can be broken up
into 5 categories of behaviour. They are fard, which is compulsory activities, mustahab,
recommended practices, mubah, mutual actions left for the individual to decide i.e.
Smoking and contraception, makruh, actions advised against, haraam, unlawful actions
which are forbidden and halal, that is lawful actions. Compulsory activities include; the
5 pillars. Centred within these pillars is the Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.
13. Are males dominant in the Islamic faith? No, the Qur’an states that Allah makes
no distinction between people on the basis of class, race, nationality or sex. Male and
female were created equal in the sight of God.
14. What is the most important passage of life? Marriage is seen as one of the most
important of all Muslim social institutions. Divorce is allowed as a last resort and both
parties have equal rights in the action. Divorced women are allowed to remarry under
Islamic law.
15. How do Islamic woman dress? They are expected to dress in non-provocative
ways to avoid emphasizing the shape of their bodies. Some women wear a shapeless
black veil and gown which covers the body from head to foot. However in the Western
culture nowadays many Muslim women choose to dress in modest yet modern clothes.
16. What are some of the Islamic virtues? They include humility, courage,
faithfulness, hospitality and compassion. Some of the evils that are condemned in the
Qur’an include, murder, theft, cheating, sorcery.
17. What is the difference between uncleanliness and sin? Uncleanliness does not
imply any moral guilt and once contracted it must be remove before one is fit for prayer.
18. Is circumcision mandatory for Muslim boys? Yes, it is treated as a form of
purification and the age depends on local customs.
19. What is the Islamic ritual regarding death? When a Muslim is dying, they try to
utter the Shahada. In Islamic tradition burial quickly follows death. The body is first
ritually washed tree times, then wrapped in white garments and laid in a grave on its
right side facing Mecca.
20. What is Islam’s attitude towards other religions? The Qur’an says “Unto you
your religion and unto me my religion”. Islam is tolerant of Judaism and Christianity
because they are also religions of the book which accept some of the Muslim Scriptures.