islam values
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
1/19
The Ethics and Pro-Social Values in Islam
LynnKunkleMuslim Values
HumanNature
InIslam,Godendowedhumanitywithagood,purposefulnatureandwithadeepinnerawarenessof
God.Atthismostbasiclevel,humankindhasaninbuiltabilitytonaturallyandindependentlyperceive
whatisright,goodandethical.Muslimsunderstandtheirfaithasdinalfitrah(naturalreligiousness),
whichatitspurestlevelisinastateofinstinctualandnaturalsurrendertoGod(30:30).Byheedingthis
deeplyseatedcallingofconscience,humankindpursuesthehighestgoodforselfandothers,and
therebyfulfillsthepurposeofcreationinserviceandworshipofGod(51:56).
Thechallenge
for
humanity
is
to
remember
their
pure
heart
and
act
in
faithful
accordance:
the
consequencesofhavinganinnatesenseofrightandwrong,inadditiontotheblessingsofcritical
reasoningandfreewill,meansthatindividualswillbestrictlyjudgedbyGodonthebasisoftheir
actions.ThecentralmessageofIslamisoneofuncompromisingmoralaccountability(103,82;15:9293;
35:18).Whilehumankindmaybeinherentlydecentandcompassionate,wearealsomostproneto
forgetfulness,willfulnessanddistraction.
Tohelpliveauthenticallyandconsistentlywithourtruenatures,andtoremindhumanityofthe
consequencesofouractions,Muslimsbelievehumanityhasbeengivendivineguidancethroughthe
Quran,asrevealedbytheProphetMohammed.TheQuranisunderstoodasmercytohumankind,
enjoiningMuslimstousetheirgiftsandinnatesenseofhumandecencytoserveandobeyGodinthe
creationofajustandpeacefulsociety(6:157;21:107,6:165).
ThisabidingawarenessofGodinhumannature(alfitrah)isacoretruthonwhichreligionandsociety
arebased.TheQuranthereforeconcretelyandrepeatedlylinksrightbeliefwithrightactionas
mostpleasingtoGod,asafulfillmentofGodshighestaimsforhumankind,andasrepresentativeofthe
meaningofMuslimonewhosubmitstoGod.Italsomeansthatthepursuitofthehighestindividual
goodis
also
what
serves
the
greatest
collective
good
the
basis
of
ajust
society.
BeingaMuslimimpliesnotonlyabeliefintheoneGod,angels,theprophets,thescriptureandtheDay
ofJudgement,butalsotheupholdingasetofpersonalobligationstocommunityandabidingbyacode
ofsocialconduct.WhentheProphetMohammedwasasked,"Whoamongmenismostfavoredby
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
2/19
God? Hereplied:"Amanwhodoesthemostgoodtopeople.1Chiefamongthesearesocial
obligationstothepoorestandleastpowerfulofthecommunity,anddeepethicalcommitmentsto
equalityandjustice.
Translatingbeliefsintoaction:CreatingaJustSocietyAsGodrevealedHimselftotheJewishandChristiancommunitiesintimesofextremeoppression,
IslamictraditionholdsthatGodsrevelationtoMuslimscameinaperiodofoppressionbyignorance,
corruptionandinternecineviolencetearingapartthefabricofArabiantribes.Thistimeofaljahiliyya
(ignorance)wasendedthroughGodsrevelationoftheQuranthroughtheProphetMohammed,whose
leadershipultimatelyunitedthedisparate,warringtribesofArabiaintotheworldsfirstMuslim
community(ummah).
ManyIslamicsocialethicsaredrawnfromtheProphetspracticesandexperiencesfoundingthefirst
MuslimcommunityinMedina.Muslimsthroughouthistoryviewthisperiodasatimeofrighteousness,
humanaffirmation,dignityandsocialjustice,andamodelfortheidealimplementationofIslamicsocial
ethics.
IslamicValues
WhereasChristianvaluesrefertothoselawsderivedfromJesusteaching,Islamicvaluesarederived
primarilyfromtheQuranandthecorpusofwritingsthatfollowthewordsandpersonalexampleofthe
ProphetMohammed(theHadiths)inMeccaandinthefirstMuslimcommunityfromwhichdifferent
legalschoolsofthoughtarebased.ThesealsoformthebasisoftheSunnah,theMuslimwayoflife.
AstheverypurposeofIslamistobringindividualsintoharmonywithGodspurposeforcreationboth
throughworshipandthecreationofajustsocietytoserveasamodelfortherestoftheworld,
considerableattentioninIslamictraditionisdevotedtosocialjusticeandhumanitarianprinciplesrooted
intheQuranandSunnah.
JusticehasapreeminentplaceinIslam,asitisfortheavowedpurposeofsettingupajustcommunity
thatGodsenttheQuranandguidedtheProphetMohammed:WesentOurMessengerswithclear
1ReportedbybyAlTabaraniandothersontheauthorityofIbnUmar,seeAlMakasidAlHasanah,pp.200201
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
3/19
signsandsentdownwiththemtheBookandtheMeasureinordertoestablishjusticeamongthe
people(57:25).
ThreecorevaluesandconceptsinIslamonwhichajustsocietywascreatedincludewhatImamFeisal
AbdulRaufcallstheAbrahamicethicofliberty,equalityandfraternity,inadditiontoIslamic
conceptionsofcharityandhumandignity.(ref?)
EqualityandSocialJusticeRadicalEgalitarianismandHumanDignity
InIslam,socialjusticeisrootedinastrongunderlyingegalitarianethic,basedontheQuranicprinciple
thattheonlydifferentiationamongcreationtoGodisinpiety.TheQuranassertsthat"Themost
honoredof
you
in
the
sight
of
God
is
(he
who
is)
the
most
righteous
of
you"
(49:
13).
Other
verses
supportthiscoreofideaofequality:ItisneithertheirmeatnortheirbloodthatreachesAllah:itisyour
pietythatreachesHim(22:37).VariousHadithsalsosupportthismessage:AbuHurairareportedthat
theProphetsaidVerily,AllahdoesnotlooktoyourfacesandyourwealthbutHelookstoyourhearts
andtoyourdeeds(Muslim,theBookofVirtue,GoodManners,andtheTiesofRelationship,Hadith
6221).Inhisfinalsermon,theProphetremindedhisfollowers:
AllmankindisfromAdamandEve,anArabhasnosuperiorityoveranonArabnoranonArab
hasanysuperiorityoveranArab;alsoawhitehasnosuperiorityoverblacknorablackhasany
superiorityoverwhite,exceptbypietyandgoodaction
OntheprincipleofequalityandfundamentaldignityofGodscreation,theProphetmovedto
underminetraditionalsocialandstatusbarriersthathaddistortedjusticeandbredbydeclaringto
believersthatslavesareyourbrothers,andrewardingthosewhofreedthem.(Bukhari,1/2,no.29)
YetthemostradicalsocialreformsadvancedbyIslamregardedthestatusofwomen,whoweregiven
unprecedentedrights,andwhosuddenlyemergedinallaspectsofcommunitylife,includingbattle,
wheretheyfoughtalongsidemen.Theprincipleofstrictindividualmoralaccountabilityaccordedan
equalstatustowomenasbelievers(orunbelievers).Numerousversesgotogreatlengthstosupportthe
principleofgenderequalityinthesightofGod:
Menandwomenwhohavesurrendered,believingmenandbelievingwomen,obedientmen
andobedientwomen,truthfulmenandtruthfulwomen,enduringmenandenduringwomen,
humblemenandhumblewomen,menandwomenwhogivecharity,menwhofastandwomen
whofast,menandwomenwhoguardtheirprivateparts,menandwomenwhorememberGod
often forthemGodhaspreparedforgivenessandamightyreward.(73:36)
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
4/19
Inoneverse,theQuranassertsthatbelievingmenandwomenareleadersoneoftheother,theybid
tohonor,andforbiddishonor;theyperformtheprayer,andpaythealms,andtheyobeyGodandhis
Messenger.Those uponthemGodwillhavemercy;GodisAllmighty,Allwise."(9:73).
TheQuranmakesclearthatthereisnogenderdifferencewhererighteousnessisconcerned(4:1;4:124;
9:71,6:97)."ThatGodmaychastisethehypocrites,menandwomenalike,andtheidolaters,menand
womenalike;andthatGodmayturnagainuntothebelievers,menandwomenalike."(33:73)Another
versenotes:"Iwastenotthelaborofanythatlaborsamongyou,beyoumaleorfemale theoneofyou
isastheother."(3:194)
Atatimewhenfemaleinfantswereburiedalive,andwomenwereregardedasproperty,withno
independentstatusorrightfulclaims,theindependence,equalityinlegalandreligiousrightsandduties
accordedwomeninMedinawasrevolutionary.Theseadvancesinwomensdignityincluded
implementingpunishmentsforthoseaccusinganddefamingwomen(afalseaccusationofadultery
becomingoneofeightmortalsins)andaddedprotectionsforwomenwheretheirbodieswere
concerned.
Soradicalwerethesereforms2deeplycontroversialduringtheProphetstimethattheprogressof
genderequalitysufferedfromsevere,consecutivebacklashesandaprolongedrollbackinrightsafterhis
death(Ahmed
1992,
Aslan
2005).
EqualityandJustice
TheConstitutionofMedinapromulgatedanewsetoflawsinaccordancewiththeIslamicvisionof
equalityandhumandignitythatdidawaywithtraditionalformsofjusticewhichprivilegedthepowerful
byadjudicatingcrimesbasedonthestatusofthoseoffended.3Byreformulatingthetribalretributive
2 These included the right of women to choose ones spouse, the right of inheritance, the right of due process when
charged with improprieties, the right to own property independently, the right to enter into business contracts anddeals independently, the right to divorce, the right to recourse against husbands and male relatives, the right to travel
independently, the right to guardianship of children, a ban on isolating women, a ban on arbitrary divorce, the right
to teach, learn and advocate their views, the right to participate in community decision-making, and freedom of
expression.3
It was related that one man of high status went so far as to renounce Islam when he discovered that his onlyrecourse, after being slapped by a man of lower status, was to return the slap, or else, presumably, forgive the
transgression. (Aslan, 2005)
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
5/19
ethoswithlawsbasedonequality(2:179;2:194),theProphetprovidedamodelforajustsocietywith
anoverarching,principledvisionofjusticeasaunitingforce.TheProphetalsooutlawedusury,a
commonplacepracticeoflendingmoneyatexorbitantratesforthoseoutsideofwealthyfamilieswhich
furtherexacerbatedwealthinequalities,andledtocrushingpovertyformany,aswellasslavery.
TheQuranmakesclearthatjusticeisacommandfromGod(16:90,5:8),andthepreeminenceofjustice
amongIslamicvaluesisdemonstratedbyGodscommandtopursueitaboveallotherconsiderations:
Oyouwhobelieve!Standoutfirmlyforjustice,aswitnessestoAllah,evenifitbeagainstyourselves,
yourparents,andyourrelatives,orwhetheritisagainsttherichorthepoor...(4:135)Inanother
passage,theQurandeclaresthatWhenyouspeak,speakwithjustice,evenifitisagainstsomeone
closetoyou(6:152)Godnotonlyenjoinswhatisjustandkind(16:90),butalsoforbidswhatisunjust
(72:15;60:8).
LibertyandFreedomofConscienceIslamscoremessageofstrictmoralaccountabilitynotonlyspeakstoequality,freewill,andreason,but
alsothatthattherecanbenomediationintheindividualrelationshipwithGod,orthebearingthe
burdensofanother.Italsomeansthattherecanbenocompulsioninreligiononmattersoffaith,since
thiscanonlybeknowntoGod(2:256).Thisprincipleoffreedomofconsciencewasenshrinedinthe
foundingdocumentoftheMuslimcommunity,theConstitutionofMedina.
Giventhe
endowment
of
reason,
free
will
and
fundamental
equality
with
others,
humanity
at
all
times
possessesthefreedomtoacceptorrejectGodandtochoosegoodorbadactions.TheQuranaccordsa
tremendousamountofpersonalfreedominmattersofreligion:theQuranassertsthatTheTruthis
fromyourLord;soletwhomeverwills,believe,andletwhomeverwills,disbelieve.(18:29)
TheMuslimprofessionofbeliefintheDayofJudgementisanotsosubtleremindertousetheseGod
givenlibertieswell,astheyarealsoatestfromGod(3:142;18:7;2:155):HadGodwilled,Hewould
havemadeintoonecommunity(ummah);but[itwasHiswill]totestyouinwhatHegaveyou.So
competewitheachotherindoinggoodworks.ToGodyouareallreturning,andHewillinformyou
abouthow
you
differed.
(5:48)
Thisfreedomofthoughtinmattersofultimatebeliefnotonlyvalidateshumandignity,butalsoforms
thebasisfordiversity,pluralismandtoleranceinIslamessentialbuildingblocksofajustandpeaceful
society.
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
6/19
PluralismandTolerance
TheQuranicvisionofpluralismcanbesummarizedinthefollowingverse:
Omankind!Wecreatedyoufromasingle(pair)ofamaleandafemale,andmadeyouinto
nationsandtribes,thatyemayknoweachother(notthatyemaydespise(eachother).Verily
themosthonoredofyouinthesightofAllahis(hewhois)themostrighteousofyou.AndAllah
hasfullknowledgeandiswellacquainted(withallthings)(49:13)
.
TheQuranstatesthatGodsentoutdifferentprophetstodifferentpeopletorevealthesametruthof
theonenessofGodandofindividualmoralaccountability(2:213).Diversityexiststodayasacallto
knowothersandviewwithoneanothertoattainyourSustainersforgivenessforGodlovesthose
whodogood.(3:133134).
HadGodwilled,Hewouldhavemadeyouintoonecommunity;but[itwasHillwill]totestyou
inwhatHegaveyou.Socompetewitheachotherindoinggoodworks.ToGodyouareall
returning,andHewillinformyouabouthowyoudiffered.(5:48)
Fromthisunderstandingofpluralismanddiversity,theIslamicconceptoftolerance(tasamuh)was
developed.TheQuranandtheHadithsconferlegitimacyonanddemonstrateastrongrespectforthe
JewishandChristiancommunitieslivingwithinandalongsidetheMuslimcommunity,recognizingthe
diversitywithinthesecommunities.
TheQuranstates:
"Thosewhobelieve(intheQuran),andthosewhofollowtheJewish(scriptures),andthe
Christians...and(all)whobelieveinGodandthelastdayandworkrighteousness,shallhave
theirrewardwiththeirLord;onthemshallbenofear,norshalltheygrieve."(2:62)
IslamoffersPeoplesoftheBookabroadscopeofreligiousfreedoms,protections,andminoritygroup
rightswithinMuslimcommunitiesasareligiousmoralduty.InoneHadithbyAbuDaud,theProphet
warned,
Beware! WhoeveriscruelandhardonanonMuslimminority,orcurtailstheirrights,or
burdensthemwithmorethantheycanbear,ortakesanythingfromthemagainsttheirfreewill;
IwillcomplainagainstthepersonontheDayofJudgment.
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
7/19
MuslimsareencouragedtoengageinadialogueaboutIslamwithnonMuslimsinarespectfuland
gentlemanner,withwisdomandbeautifulpreaching,(16:125,22:6769),thoughnothingmore.
Wheredisagreementoracrimonyentersintodialogue,Muslimsareenjoinedtopartways,sayingTo
youyourbeliefs,andtomemine(109:6)(1:1079),knowingthat"Godwilljudgebetweenyouonthe
DayofJudgmentconcerningthemattersinwhichyoudiffer."(22:7669)
FraternityTheindividualinIslamininescapablylinkedtohisorhersocialcontext:itisincommunitythataMuslim
becomesabeliever,fulfillingGodspurposeforhumanityintheestablishmentofajustsociety.Seyyed
HosseinNasrobservesthatcommunityimpliesaboveallahumancollectivityheldtogetherbyreligious
bondthatarethemselvesthefoundationsforsocial,juridical,political,economic,andethicallinks
betweenitsmembers(Nasr,160).OfthefivepillarsofIslam,onlyoneisaccomplishedbyandforthe
individualalone(theshahada,professionoffaith).Theremainingfourpillarsinvolveindividual
participationor
experience
in
the
community,
self
consciously
linking
belief
to
action.
WhileindividualsaretobejudgedontheDayofJudgementinIslam,Nasrexplainsthatthehuman
communityisjudgedintheQuranaccordingtothedegreetowhichitallowsitsmemberstolivethe
goodlife,inthereligioussense,basedonmoralprinciplesacommunityasawholecanbejudgedand
punishedbyGodinthisworld,butawholecommunitydoesnotenterparadiseorhellasacollectivity
(Nasr,159160).
TheQuranalsomakesclearthattheMuslimcommunityiscalleduponbyGodtoserveasawitnessto
allofhumankindastopossibilitiesfortruehumanfraternityandsocialjusticeinthisworld(2:143).This
doesnotimplyasenseofchosennessorseparatenessfromothercommunities,however,sincethe
Quranmakesclearthatallcommunitieshavebeengiventhesamecoretheologicalmessage,andtheir
ownsacredritualsandinstitutionsandprophetsbyGodsowndesign.(22:34)
Theemphasisonunity,fraternityandsocialjusticeintheQuranandHadithsisevidentinnumerous
passageswhereanethicofsocialdutyandresponsibilitytowardfellowMuslimandnonMuslimsis
advanced,such
as
Verily,
the
believers
are
brothers
(49:9)
Hadiths
which
support
this
position
include:
Muslimsarebrothersinreligionandtheymustnotoppressoneanother,norabandonassisting
eachother,norholdoneanotherincontempt.
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
8/19
Theseatofrighteousnessistheheart;thereforethatheartwhichisrighteous,doesnotholda
Muslimincontempt;andallthethingsofoneMuslimareunlawfultoanother:hisblood,
property,andreputation.
OnaMuslimvariationoftheGoldenRule,withapplicationforallUmmahs,theProphetMohammed
oncesaidthatnomanisabelieveruntilhewishesforhisbrotherthatwhichhewishesforhimself.
(Bukhari,KitabAlIman,Hadithno.12)WhenaskedthemostexcellentpartsofIman(faith),the
ProphetrepliedthatinadditiontoworshippingGod,itis"Todountoallmenasyouwouldwishto
havedoneuntoyou,andtorejectforotherswhatyouwouldrejectforyourself."
OtherHadithssupportafraternalandcompassionatecommunity:Heisnotabelieverwhoeatshisfill
whenhisneighborbesidehimishungry,andHedoesnotbelievewhoseneighborsarenotsafefrom
hisinjurious
conduct."
(Bayhaqi)
Suhrawardi
(p.
64)(ref?)
relates
another
Hadith
where
the
Prophet
observedthatYewillnotenterParadiseuntilyehavefaith,andyewillnotcompleteyourfaithuntilye
loveoneanother.
TheQuranandHadithsspeakinstrongtermsaboutovercomingolddivisionsandsharingagreater
religiousidentity:
Andholdfast,allofyoutogether,tothecableofAllah,anddonotseparate.Andremember
Allah'sfavoruntoyou:HowyewereenemiesandHemadefriendshipbetweenyourheartsso
thatye
became
as
brothers
by
His
grace;
and
(how)
ye
were
upon
the
brink
of
an
abyss
of
fire,
andHedidsaveyoufromit.ThusAllahmakesclearHisrevelationsuntoyou,thathaplyyemay
beguided,(3:103)
TheAbrahamicEthic:Liberty,Equality,FraternityandSocialJustice
Thecorebeliefsinfreewill,choiceandhumanreasonhavemorethanreligiousmeaningthereare
significantsocialandpoliticalimplications. AsImamFeisalAbdulRaufexplains,thesefreedoms
functionallyunderpinthecentralmessageofmoralaccountabilityandhumandignityinIslam,aswellas
informquestions
about
how
society
should
be
structured.
In
Islam,
this
means
that
society
should
be
structuredonthebasisofhumanequality,humanliberty,andsocialjustice.(Rauf,14)
ImamFeisalcallsthisclusterofmonotheismscoreideasanditscommitmentsofhumanliberty,
equality,fraternity,andsocialjusticetheAbrahamicethic.AttheheartoftheAbrahamicethicis
humandignityandfreedomofconscience.Basedonthesefundamentalprinciples,coresocialvalues
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
9/19
emergefromtheQuranandHadithssuchasthoseemphasizingTaaruf(knowingoneanother),
Taawun(cooperation,mutualassistance,intransactions),andTakamul(complentarityand
completion).
TheCompassionateCommunity:MercyandCharityTheAbrahamicEthicofliberty,equality,fraternityandsocialjusticealsobroadlyincludeashared
concernfortheplightofthepoorandtheoppressed.TheProphetwaspassionatelycommittedto
improvingthestatusofthoseimpoverishedandpowerless.AsJesusdeclaredthatBlessedarethe
poor,theProphetsaid,Povertyismypride.(Nasr,171)
IntheAbrahamicprophetictradition,theProphetsympathizeddeeplywiththeoppressedand
vulnerable.ScholarRezaAslannotesthatbeforeestablishinganewreligionorpreachingmonotheism,
theProphetMohammedwasdeliveringtherevolutionaryandprofoundlyinnovativemessagethat
calledforsweepingsocialreformandeconomicjustice(Aslan,41).
TheProphetinformedhisfollowersthatHewhohelpshisfellowcreatureinthehourofneed,andhe
whohelpstheoppressed,himwillGodhelpintheDayofTravail.Whenaskedwhichactionswerethe
mostexcellentintheeyesofGod,Mohammedreplied:
Togladdentheheartofahumanbeing,tofeedthehungry,tohelptheafflicted,tolightenthe
sorrowofthesorrowful,andtoremovethewrongsoftheinjured.
Feedthehungryandvisitthesick,andfreethecaptive,ifhebeunjustlyconfined.Assistany
personoppressed,whetherMuslimornonMuslim.
TheProphethimselflivedingreatsimplicityandwasknownforhishumanity,fairnessandgenerosity
towardothers,askinghissupporterstoseekformysatisfactioninthatofthepoorandneedy.One
HadithreportstheProphetproclaiming,OLord!Keepmealiveapoorman,andletmediepoor;and
raiseme
amongst
the
poor.
The
dignity
and
divine
favor
associated
with
the
vulnerable
is
also
shown
in
theHadiththatechoesJudaismandChristianitysreferencetoGodamongtheleastofthese:
OsonofAdam,IfellillandyouvisitedMenot.Hewillsay:OGuardianLord,andhowshould
IvisitYouwhenYouaretheLordoftheworlds?Godwillsay:DidyounotknowthatMyservant
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
10/19
so andso hadfallenillandyouvisitedhimnot?Didyounotknowthathadyouvisitedhimyou
wouldhavefoundMewithhim?
[ThenGodwillsay]:OsonofAdam,IaskedyouforfoodandyoufedMenot.Hewillsay:O
GuardianLord,andhowshouldIfeedYouwhenYouaretheLordoftheworlds?Godwillsay:
DidyounotknowthatMyservantsoandsoaskedyouforfoodyoufedhimnot?Didyounot
knowthathadyoufedhimyouwouldsurelyhavefoundMewithhim?
[ThenGodwillsay]:OsonofAdam,IaskedyoutogiveMetodrinkandyougaveMenotto
drink.Hewillsay:OLord,howshouldIgiveYoutodrinkwhenYouaretheLordofthe
worlds?Godwillsay:Myservantsoandsoaskedyoufordrink,andyougavehimnotto
drink.HadyougivenhimtodrinkyouwouldhavesurelyfoundMewithhim.(citation)
WidowsandOrphans
TheProphetwasdeeplyconcernedforthewelfareofthepoorandthepowerlessinhiscommunity,
urgingMuslimstobeespeciallymindfulthatthetreatmentofwidowsandorphansbebothjustand
kind.Havingbeenorphanedattheageofsix,inahighlytribalsocialcontext,theProphetspent
considerabletimeandattentionontheissueofjusticeandpropercarefororphans.Mentioningorphans
twentythreetimesintwentytwochapters,theQuraninstructsMuslimstostandfirmforjusticeto
orphans.Thereisnotagooddeedwhichyoudo,butGodiswellacquaintedtherewith(4:127).Other
chapterswarn
against
unjust
dealings
with
orphans
in
their
care
(4:2
8,
4:36,
6:152;
17:34;
89:17;
107:2),remindingMuslimstotreatnottheorphanwithharshness(93:9),andthreateningthosewho
dealwiththemunjustlywithblazingfire(4:10).Inotherchapters,theQurannotesthat
"Thebestthingtodoiswhatisfortheirgood;ifyemixtheiraffairswithyours,theyareyour
brethren;butAllahknowsthemanwhomeansmischieffromthemanwhomeansgood.Andif
Allahhadwished,Hecouldhaveputyouintodifficulties:HeisindeedExaltedinPower,Wise."
(2:220).
NumerousHadiths
have
the
Prophet
encouraging
his
followers
to
take
considered
care
of
orphans
in
theirhomes,lookaftertheirinterestsandpropertyjustlyandeducatethem.Heoncetoldagroupof
MuslimsthatthosewhocarefororphansareguaranteedaplaceinParadisewiththeProphethimself:I
andthepersonwholooksafteranorphanandprovidesforhim,willbelikethisinparadise,andjoined
hisindexandmiddlefingertogether(Bukhari,italicsadded).
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
11/19
Onseveraloccasions,theProphetremindedMuslimsthatmercywillbeshowntothosewho
demonstratemercythemselves.WhenamanoncetoldtheProphetthathehadneverkissedanyofhis
tenchildren,theProphetrepliedthatWhoeverisnotmercifultootherswillnotbetreatedmercifully.
AnotherHadithstates,Ifyoushowmercytothosewhoareonearth,Hewhoisinheavenwillshow
mercytoyou.(AlTirmidhi)
Charity/Zakat:andrepelnotthebeggar(AlDuha:93:9)
Intheprophetictradition,Mohammedwarnedagainsttheattachmenttomaterialthingsattheexpense
ofcommunityandcompassion.TheProphetwarnedbelieversthattheloveoftheworldistherootof
allevil,andthatItisdifficultforamanladenwithrichestoclimbthesteeppathwhichleadstobliss.
TheQuranrailsagainstthosewhoamasswealth,hoardingittohimself(104:16)andthosewho
withheldthingscommonlyusedbyothers(107:17).
Therefore,believersshouldbeintheworldlikeatraveler,orlikeapasseron,andreckonyourselfasof
thedead,sinceCursedisthisworldandcursedisallthatisinthisworld,excepttheremembranceof
Godandthatwhichaidsthereto.Atthesametime,Islamisnotaworldrenouncingreligion,
encouragingbelieversinsteadtohonestlaborandequitableaccumulationofwealth.Itisnosinfor
you,saystheQuran,thatyouseekthebountyofyourLord(bytrading)(2:198).AnotherHadith
statesthatWealth,properlyemployed,isablessing;andamanmaylawfullyendeavortoincreaseitby
honestmeans.
TheProphetMohammedwasalsowellawarethatinequalitiesofwealthandeconomicinjustices,
includingthelackofeconomicopportunity,hadconsequencesforbothindividualandcommunity.One
HadithfromSuhrawardiquotestheProphetinsaying,Povertymaywellbecomeacauseofinfidelity(to
Godslaw).
TheProphetrecognizedthatbuildingajustandpeacefulsocietyrequiredmorethanreformulatedlegal
institutionsandcallstoheedmoralconscience. TheProphetMohammedsoughttomanifestthe
spiritualequalityofIslamintheummahbyinstitutionalizingpracticesofcharitytomakesurethat
wealthwould
be
more
equitably
shared
in
the
community.
One
of
the
most
important
ways
of
doing
thiswasthemakingofalmsgivingacorepillarofIslam,andacentralfocusofMuslimlife.The
paymentofzakat[oneoftheFivePillarsofIslam]wasseenastheprimarymeansforachievingsocial
justicebyalleviatingthesufferingsofthoseinsevereneedandbridgingthegapbetweenthepoorand
therich(Cakmak,112).(ref)
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
12/19
TheIslamicconceptofcharityproclaimstherightofthelessprivilegedtohaveaccesstoandreceive
communitysupport(51:19).TheQuranstates:Thebelievers...aresteadfastinprayers,andinwhose
wealththereisarightacknowledged,forthepoorandthedestitute.(70:2224).Islamicteaching
makesitclearthatitisthedutyofsocietysprivilegedtocareforthepoor(2:273).4Whiledignifyingthe
underprivilegedthroughtheassertionoftheircommunityrights,easingsocialtensionsthrougha
regularizedrotation
of
wealth
from
richer
members
to
the
poorer
members
of
the
community,
the
Quransimultaneouslyrewardscharitabledeedsasamongthegreatestactsofpiety.
Inspirit,charityisanactofworship,onparintheQuranwithsalat(prayer).Indeed,thetwoare
frequentlyusedtogetherintheQuran,representingbothpersonalandsocialworshipofGod(2:110,
2:227).TheQur'anfrequentlyextolsthevirtuesofcharity(2:261266),addingthatthebestuseof
charityisforcaringforparents,kin,orphans,theneedy,andwayfarers(2:215;59:7;76:8).
CharityinIslamiseitherobligatory(zakat)orvoluntary(sadaqa)inIslam.Zakatisderivedfromtheverb
Zakah,meaningtothrive,tobewholesome,ortobepure.TheQuranspeaksofalmsgivingasa
meansofpurificationandsanctification(9:103).Zakatisfixedamount(2.5%)ofnetworth(afterbasic
expensesarecovered)everyyear.
ThespendingofonesearningsonzakatisamaterialacknowledgementthatGodisthesourceofall
bounty,andthatbelieversareobligatedtosupportcertaincategoriesofpeopleintheQuran(2:177).
Theseincludethepooranddestitute,travelers,thebankrupt,theneedy,converts,captives,the
collectorsofzakatandthecauseofGod(whichincludeseverythingassociatedwithgeneralwelfare,
such
as
education,
public
works,
etc).
AssuringwealthierMuslimsthattheywontsufferfortheiralmsgiving,theProphetfamouslysaidthat
Goddeclared,Spend(oncharity),OsonofAdam,andIshallspendonyou.(Bukhari,HadithQudsi11)
Infact,theQuranmakesclearthatGodrewardscharitywithalikebounty(2:245,2:268).OneHadith
reportstheProphetMohammedsaid,
HowexcellentthewealthoftheMuslimis,ifitiscollectedthroughlegalmeansandisspentin
Allah'sCauseandonorphans,poorpeopleandtravelers.Buthewhodoesnottakeitlegallyis
4AbdullahIbnUmarwritesthattheProphetonceremarked:Inoneswealththereisadue(toGodandHis
men)besideszakat.IbnUmarscommentaryreadsthatIfthezakatlevyisinsufficienttomeettheneedsofthe
poor,thenitisthedutyoftherichofeverytowntoputthepoorontheirfeet.ThefourthCaliphAliunderstood
thishadithinthefollowingway:Godhasordainedthatthericharetopayoutoftheirwealthtothatextentwhich
issufficientfortheneedsofthepoor;sothatiftheydonotfindfoodandclothing,oranyotherneedremainsto
befulfilled,itwouldbebecausethericharenotdoingtheirduty,andforthisGodwilltakethemtotaskonthe
DayofJudgment.
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
13/19
likeaneaterwhoisneversatisfiedandhiswealthwillbeawitnessagainsthimontheDayof
Resurrection."(Bukhari,Book52,Hadith95)
Moreover,theProphetalsosaidthat
Amanstruewealth,asregardstheHereafter,isthegoodhedoesinthisworldtohisfellow
men.Whenhedies,peoplewillsaywhatpropertyhasheleftbehindhim?Buttheangelswill
ask,whatgooddeedshashesentbeforehim?
Sadaqat(meaningrighteousness,fromtherootwordsadaqa,tospeakthetruthortobetrue)is
alsoaformofworship,understoodtobespontaneous,sincereanddirectformsofcharityperformed,
whichcanincludematerialgiftsaswellasanyactorspeechorevengesturewhichbenefitsanother
(17:23,2:83,4:8).Theseactsarealsounderstoodtoinvolvemorallearning,insofarastheyinspire
recipientstodowellorreciprocategooddeedsalso.TheQuranencouragesbelieverstodoactsof
sadaqaprivatelyandpublicly,dayandnighttoseekGodspleasure(2:274).Charitableactspraisedin
theQuraninclude:theemancipationofslaves(90:13;2:177),thefeedingofthepoor(69:34;90:1116;
107:13),andtakingcareoforphans(17:34;76:8;89:17;90:15;93:9,107:2).
Socalledpermanentalms(sadaqaaljaria)includethoseactsofcharitythathelpsetupabusiness,
payforeducation,establishscholarships,andgivingmaterialaidtoorphanages.Thesevoluntaryactsof
inspiredcharityareduenotonlytoMuslims,buttononMuslims(2:272)andcreationingeneral(51:19).
Examplesof
this
type
of
charity
abound
in
Hadiths:
CharityisadutyuntoeveryMuslim.Hewhohathnotthemeansthereto,lethimdoagoodact
orabstainfromanevilone.Thatishischarity.
Thebestofalmsgivingisthatwhichspringsfromtheheart,andisutteredbythelipstosoften
thewoundsoftheinjured.
Everygood
act
is
charity.
CharitythatisconcealedappeasesthewrathofGod.
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
14/19
Thebestcharityistosatisfyahungryperson.
Doingjusticebetweentwopeopleischarity;andassistingamanuponhisbeast,andliftinghis
baggageischarity;andpure,comfortingwordsarecharity;andansweringaquestionerwith
mildness,ischarity;andremovingthatwhichisaninconveniencetowayfarers,suchasthorns
andstones,isacharity.
Yoursmilinginyourbrother'sfaceischarity;andyourexhortingmantovirtuousdeedsis
charity;andyourprohibitingtheforbiddenischarity;andyourshowingmentheroad,inthe
landinwhichtheyloseit,ischarity;andyourassistingtheblindischarity.
Voluntaryalms
giving
also
facilitates
the
expiation
of
sins
in
Islamic
tradition,
which
is
urged
upon
anyoneimmediatelyaftercommittinganytransgression(IhyaeUlumuddin,AlGhazzali,1/298).Sadaqa
alsohelpstoprotectbelieversfromevilandpunishmentsintheHereafter(IsmailHakki,TafsirRuh
alBayan,1/418).Inthisway,itisbelievedtobepreferabletogivealittleconstantlythantheoccasional
givingofmuch.
Asanactofworship,themotivesandintentionofthegiverofcharityassumesgreaterimportance.The
ProphetsaidthatAlldeedsarebasedontheintention,andeveryonewillberewardedaccordingto
whatheintended(fromhisaction).TheQuranmakesitclearthatBynomeansshallyouattain
righteousness,unlessyougiveofthatwhichyoulove.(3:92)CakmakarguesthatAlthoughitis
voluntary,IslamisfoundedontheprincipleofcharityinitsbroadestsenseGivingawaywillinglythe
thingsmostvaluedandlovedinthenameofAllahisapivotalconceptinIslamicthoughtandpractice.
(Cakmak,Cenap.CharityinIslam,p.111112)TheProphet,whenaskedaboutthebestofallcharities,
respondedthatThebestcharityiswhatyougiveduringyourlifewhileyouareinneedofit.
Thehighestpraisewasreservedforthosewhogaveanonymouslyandwithoutexpectation:Andthey
givefood(inspiteoftheirloveforit)tothepoor,theorphanandthecaptive.Saying;wefeedyou
seekingAllah's
countenance
only,
we
wish
for
no
reward
nor
thanks
from
you.
(76:
89).
The
Prophet
onceremarkedthatThebestofalmsisthatwhichtherighthandgives,andthelefthandknowsnot
of.OnetraditionhastheProphetremarkingthatTherewardforgivingvoluntaryalmsinsecretis
seventytimesthatofgivingitpublicly.(AlBaydawi,AnwaralTanazil,2/211).
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
15/19
Atthesametime,theProphetwarnedMuslimsagainstfalsecharity:Oyouwhobelieve,cancelnot
yourcharitiesbyremindersofyourgenerosity,orbyharm.(2:264)Anotherversewarns(107:17):
HaveyouseentheonewhodeniestheReligion?Suchishewhorepulsestheorphan,andwho
doesnoturgeotherstofeedthepoor.Woetoworshippers,whoareabsentmindedtotheir
prayer,those
who
make
ashow
(of
piety),
and
refuse
to
render
small
acts
of
kindness
(towards
others).
TheConquestofSelf:Forgiveness,HumilityTheQuranalsoseekstocultivateinternalpersonalfortitudeandcharacteramongbelievers.The
conquestoftheself,orthestruggleovertheego,isaneffortelicitingthehighestpraiseinIslam.Asthe
ProphetMohammedfamouslysaid,ThemostexcellentJihad[struggle]isthatfortheconquestofthe
self(Suhrawardi,63).Moreover,onleavingthebattlefieldvictoriously,theProphetremarkedthat
Muslimswere
leaving
the
lesser
jihad
(the
physical
struggle
against
oppression)
for
the
greater
jihad
(theinternalstruggleovertheself).
Aspartoftheconquestofself,orthegreaterjihad,Muslimsareaskedtocurbtheirpassions,appetites
andimpulses.WhentheProphetMohammedwasonceapproachedforgeneraladvice,heresponded
simplybysaying:Benotangry.
SubduingangertopleaseGodandavoiderrorswithotherswaspraisedbytheProphet,whooncesaid
MayGodfilltheheartofthatpersonwhosuppresseshisangerwithsafetyandfaith.Forthosein
power,selfcontrolisevenmorevalued:Whoeversuppresseshisanger,whenhehathinhispowerto
showit,Godwillgivehimgreatreward.
Onehadithremarksonthegreaterpowerofselfcontrol:Heisnotstrongandpowerfulwhothrows
peopledown;butheisstrongwhowitholdshimselffromanger.Selfcontrolisassociatedwith
faithfulness,trustandloveofGodalongsidethepracticeofwardingoffevilwithpatienceandhumility.
Muhammad
once
said
to
Anas,
"Son,
if
you
are
able,
keep
your
heart
from
morning
till
night
and
fromnighttillmorning,freefrommalicetowardsanyone;"thenhesaid,"Oh!myson,thisisone
ofmylaws,andhewholovesmylawsverilylovesme."
ForgivenessandHumility
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
16/19
ConqueringtheselfthroughGodconsciousnessandselfcontrolinvolvesmorethanthesuppressionof
negativequalities.Muslimsareaskedtoactivelydeveloppositivequalitiesandnoblepracticesaswell.
Beyondnonretributionisforgiveness,apracticecrucialtoreconnectingwithGodandrestoring
relationshipswithinsociety.
TheProphetdeclaredthatGodhadsaid:"Verilythosewhoarepatientinadversityandforgivewrongs
arethedoersofexcellence."TheQuranteachesthatforgivenessisbothanecessityanda
commandment,frequentlypracticedbytheProphetMohammedevenwiththosewhotormentedand
triedtokillhim.5Therewardoftheevilistheevilthereof,butwhosoeverforgivesandmakesamends,
hisrewardiswithGod(42:40).TheProphetwasonceasked,asJesuswas,aboutthelimitsof
forgiveness:
"OApostleofGod!"Howmanytimesarewetoforgiveourservant'sfaults?"Hewassilent.
Againthequestionerasked,and[theProphet]Muhammadgavenoanswer.Butwhentheman
askedathird
time,
he
said,
"Forgive
your
servants
seventy
times
aday."
TheQuranmakesclearthatwhileGodwillcallhumanitytostrictaccountability,Godisalsomerciful
andforgivesoften,beginningwithteachingAdamthewordsofforgivenessintheGardenofEden(2:37).
AccordingtoBukhari,Godsaith,Verilymycompassionovercomethmywrath(seealso7:156).The
Quran(25:7071)states:[Those]whorepentandattaintofaith,andactwithrighteousnessintheir
caseGodtransformstheirevilintogood,forGodismostforgiving,mostmerciful.Andwhoeverrepents
anddoesgoodisturningtoGodrepentant.
TwoofthemostoftrepeatedqualitiesofGodaregraciousandmercifultheopeningstatementsin
eachofthechaptersoftheQuran.GiventhefrequencyofmentionofthesequalitiesofGod,Muslims
whoaremindfulofGodseektoincorporatethemintotheirownlives.InAtTalaq(65:45),theQuran
speakstomindfulnessofGodandforgivenessforMuslims:
whoeveriscarefulof(hisdutyto)Allah,Hewillmakeeasyforhimhisaffair.Andwhosokeeps
hisdutytoAllah,hewillremitfromhimhisevildeedsandmagnifyrewardforhim.
5OncewhentheProphetwasabusedandtormentedinthecityofTaifsobadlythatbloodpouredfromhis
sandals,hetookrefugeunderatreewheretheangelGabrielappearedandannouncedthathecouldcrushthe
city,withallofhisinhabitants,fortheiractions.Mohammedthenprayedforthepeoplesforgivenessbysaying,
OGod,forgivethemfortheydonotknow.SultanaddsthatitwasafterthisincidentthatGodgaveProphet
Mohammedthetitleofmercyforallcreatures.(Sultan,54)
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
17/19
AsinChristianity,repentanceiskeytoGodsforgiveness:thosewhodoilldeedsandafterwardrepent
andbelievelo!Forthem,afterward,AllahisForgiving,merciful(AlAraf,7:153)TheProphetonce
remarkedthatAsincererepenteroffaultsislikehimwhohathcommittednone. Godlovesthosewho
repent(2:222).OneHadithreportstheProphetsaying,
"Iwould
not
have
the
whole
wealth
of
the
world
in
the
place
of
this
revelation.
..O
My
servants
whohaveoppressedyourownsoulsbysinning,despairnotofthemercyofGod."Amansaid,
"WhatofhimwhohathassociatedotherswithGod?"Muhammadremainedsilentforawhile
andthensaid,"KnowthathimalsoGodforgives;butonrepentance."
Onceagain,intentions,sincerityofGodconsciousnessandeffortplayanimportantroleininfluencing
Godsdecisionmaking:IfyeloveAllah,followme;Allahwillloveyouandforgiveyouyoursins.Allahis
Forgiving,Merciful(3:31).TheQuranstatesthat
YourLord
hath
inscribed
for
Himself
(the
rule
of)
mercy:
verily,
ifany
of
you
did
evil
in
ignorance,andthereafterrepented,andamend(hisconduct),lo!HeisOftForgiving,Most
Merciful(6:54,seealso39:53).
ModestyandPatience
PrideisthebiggestobstacletoaMuslimssubmissiontoGodandaleadingcauseofsinanddivision,
temptingbelieverstotakerefugeawayfromGod,forgetGod,andclosetheirearsandheartstotruth
andguidance(2:206;4:36;16:23;22:9;31:7;38:2;40:56;44:19;45:8;91:11).Forthisreason,the
Prophetstated
that
Hewillnotenterhellwhohathfaithequaltoamustardseedinhisheart;andhewillnotenter
Paradisewhohathasinglegrainofpride,equaltoamustardseed,inhisheart.
TheProphetMohammednotedthatverilyGodinstructsmetobehumbleandlowlyandnotproud;
andthatnooneshouldoppressanother.FollowingtheexampleoftheProphet,oneHadithstatesthat
WhoeverishumbletomenforGod'ssake,mayGodexalthiseminence.TheQuranandtheHadiths
showgreatregardformodestyandhumility,particularlyasprideandvanityaresingledoutasleading
causesfor
infidelity,
disobedience
and
falling
away
from
God.
Patience(sabr)isakeyvirtueinIslam,asaoneofthepathslaidoutbyGodthatbringshumanityfrom
darknesstolight(14:1),andisrewardedandlovedbyGod(3:158).Itispatiencewhichgivesdignityto
thestrivingforselfconquest:Oyouwhobelieve!bepatientandexcelinpatienceandremain
steadfast,andbecarefulof(yourdutyto)Allah,thatyoumaybesuccessful.(3:200)Anotherverse
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
18/19
remindsMuslimstoSeekhelpinpatienceandprayer;andtrulyitishardsaveforthehumbleminded.
(2:45)TheQuranstates,Oyouwhobelieve!seekassistancethroughpatienceandprayer;surelyAllah
iswiththepatient.(2:153)TheQurandescribesthosewhoarepatientasamongtheGodfearing,
righteousandsincereinbelief(2:177;16:126127).
Righteousness
Throughworship,actsofpietyandcharity,aMuslimistobeidentifiednotonlybyfaith,butbytheir
actions.SubmittingtoGodisineffectthepursuitofthehighestpersonalgood,whichalsoadvancesthe
goodofthecommunity.AMuslimisthereforeabelieverwhoworshipsGod,andonewhodoessointhe
pursuitofthecollectivegood.Eachcommitmentbringsaboutthepeace,theslmrootwordforpeace,
fromwhichbothMuslimandIslamarederived.
TheQuranisunequivocalinemphasizingthelinkandbalancebetweenreligiousbeliefsandrighteous
actions,andnotonlythroughritual.Oneverse(2:177)particularlydemonstratestheintegrationofinner
valueswithsocialoutcomes,remindingbelieversthatadherencetoformisnottrueworship:
ItisnotrighteousnessthatyouturnyourfacesTowardsEastorWest[inprayer].Rather,truly
righteousarethosewhobelieveinGodandtheLastDay,andtheAngels,andtheScriptures,
andtheProphets;andwhogivematerialgiftsoutofloveforGod,evenofwhattheycarefor,to
relativesandorphans,andthepoorandthetravelerandtheneedy,andforthefreeingof
slaves;andwhoestablishprayerandgivealms;andwhofulfilltheirpromiseswhichtheyhave
made;andthosewhoarepatientinmisfortune,affliction,andhardshipsucharethepeopleof
truth,and
they
are
the
God
conscious
ones.
Whilerighteousnessisfoundinthepurityofonesownheart,inonesoriginalstatebeforedistractions,
willfulnessandignoranceleadbelieversastray,theQuranalsomakesitclearthatitisapathofstriving.
TheQuran(90:818)describesthevirtuesoftherighteousasthosewhobravethesteepuphillroad:
Andwhatwillexplaintoyouwhatthesteepuphillroadis?[Itis]freeingtheslave,orthegiving
offoodonadayofhungertotheorphanedrelativeoraneedystrangerlyinginthedust.Then
willhebeofthosewhobelieve,andenjoinpatienceandenjoincompassion.Sucharethe
companionsof
the
right
hand.
APropheticHadithemphasizestheeffortbehindrighteousness:Thislifeisbutatillageforthenext,do
goodthatyoumayreapthere;forstrivingistheordinanceofGodandwhateverGodhathordainedcan
onlybeattainedbystriving.(Suhrawardi,p.74)
-
7/30/2019 Islam Values
19/19
ConclusionWhileGodendowedhumankindwithadecentandGodfearingnature,theQuranalsomakesitclear
thatGodspurposeforcreationistotesthumanityintheapplicationandmanifestationofourgreatest
potentialandideals.TheQuranasks,DoyouthinkthatyouwillenterthegardenwhileAllahhasnot
yetknownthosewhostrivehardfromamongyou,and(Hehasnot)knownthepatient?(3:142)
TheProphetMohammedonceremarkedthatAservantofGodwillremainstandingontheDayof
Judgementtillheisquestionedabouthislifeonearthandhowhespentit,andabouthisknowledgeand
howheutilizedit,andhiswealthandhowheacquireditandinwhatdidhespendit,andabouthisbody
andhowheusedit.IslamseekstoprovidethemoralandspiritualguidancethroughtheQuranandthe
ProphetsexampleforindividualbelieverstofulfilltheirdivinepurposeinworshippingGodand
establishingajust
and
peaceful
society.
At
the
heart
of
social
justice
are
the
Abrahamic
principles
of
liberty,equalityandfraternity.
AsImamFeiselAbdulRaufexplains,TheQuranemphasizestheuniversalityoftheAbrahamicethicby
asking,AndwhodesiresotherthantheAbrahamicethic(millatiibrahim)excepttheonewho
depreciateshimself?(2:130)BecauseallarebornwiththecapacitytoknowGodandcandiscernright
andwrongfundamentally,theAbrahamicethichonorshumandignityanddemandsthatahuman
beingrespecthisorherdignityashuman,anditholdsnocountenanceforreligiousorsocialpractices
thatdiscriminatebetweenhumansatbirth,deemingsomecapableandothersincapablebynatureof
knowingGod.
(Rauf,
17)
TheQuran(4:125)notes:Andwhobetterinfaiththantheonewhowillinglysurrendershisbeingto
God,andisadoerofgood,andfollowsthewayofAbrahamtherightlyoriented?ForGodtookAbraham
asafriend.