Moral values
(1) Unity and Brotherhood
The relationship of brotherhood has been established by Allah Himself, and therefore, it is binding upon every Muslim to live in unity, and mutual co-operation with others.
The believers have the same relationship with each other as the different parts of a body
Allah says in surah A-Imran #103
“And holdfast, all together to the rope of Allah and be not divided....’’.
Hadith
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said
“The believers are like the different parts of a body. If one part feels pain, the whole body is affected, so should be the condition of the Muslim brotherhood, that is, if one Muslim suffers from any trouble, it should be shared by all. ”
“All the believers are brothers to one another, so promote the noble cause of brotherhood. ”
(49:10)
In his last sermon, the Holy Prophet(pbuh) spoke about brotherhood in the following words:
“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim and they form one brotherhood. ” In brotherhood or unity there is a force which an individual does not possess.
(2) Fulfillment of Promises
Islam has laid great stress on the fulfillment of promises . When one makes a promise, it must be honoured.
Allah says in Al-Maida #1
“O you who believe! Ful your undertakings. ”
Hadith
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said
“One of the signs of the imposters is that when they make a pledge, they do not honour it. ”
He who does not keep his promise has no religion. ”
The fulfillment of pledges is an essential part of truthfulness and one of the outstanding qualities of the righteous. Allah has made the honouring of pledges a part of faith and has given it the leading place in the practical life of people. Fulfilling promises has been counted as one of the attributes of the great Prophets of Allah.
A person who keeps his word and honours his promise is respected by society. The life of the Holy Prophet(pbuh) is a guide for us.
A person who is determined and keeps firm in times of distress or when something goes against his wishes is said to be steadfast. Real bravery lies in the power of determination which is greater than physical strength. Determination helps a person resolve his difficulties and achieve success.
Steadfastness is another quality of the prophets.
Allah says in surah Al –Baqra 155 -156
“And give glad news to the steadfast ones, who when a misfortune happens to them……”
(3) Lawful Earnings
After the performance of the fundamental duties of Islam, the first duty of a Muslim is to earn a livelihood through honest means and hard work. Lawful earning has been called a form of worship by the Prophet(pbuh).
Hadith#1
“Earning of lawful livelihood is a duty only next in importance to the duty of prayer. ”
The Holy Prophetpbuh has also laid stress on doing hard labour to earn one’s livelihood.
Hadith# 2
The holyprophet(PBUH) said: “A person who eats of the unlawful food, his prayer for forty days will not be accepted. ”
Hadith# 3
“To earn a clean living is, also a duty next to the principal duties of faith. ”
Abdudllah bin Masud
”
(4) Kindness
A man should try to be a source of comfort and benefit for all. He should place the needs of people over his needs. Feeding and clothing the poor, calling upon the sick and setting free the prisoners of war are all good deeds. We are ordered by the Holy Prophet (pbuh ) to do similar good deeds and noble actions which are a source of benefit to other people.
Hadis#1
The Holy Prophet (pbuh ) said
“A person cannot be a true believer until he prefers for his brother what he prefers for himself ”
Hadis #2
The Holy Prophet (pbuh ) said
“A believer is he from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.
Hadis # 3
The Holy Prophet (pbuh ) said
“The creation is the family of Allah. So the dearest of creations to Allah is he who is best to his family. ”
It is unworthy of a Muslim to cause pain and discomfort to anyone. Rather, he should be friendly and inoffensive towards everyone.
Hadith# 4
The Holy Prophetpbub about the rights of neighbours
“If you wish to become a perfect believer, you should treat your neighbour generously. ”
Hadith# 5
“The most virtuous of you all is he who gives the best treatment to his neighbours. ”
Hadith# 6
“The man who eats his fill, unmindful of the hunger of his neighbours, is not a true believer. ”
(5) Patience and Tolerance
Patience and endurance are qualities that help man face the greatest difficulties with courage. Patience means the capacity to be calm and persevering in painful and difficult situations.
Allah says in surah Hud # 115
“Be steadfast in patience; for surely Allah will not suffer …….."
The quality of a Muslim is that he remains thankful to Allah in the days when he is happy and prosperous and bears with patience the rough and difficult days.
The wisdom of Hazrat Luqman is well known, his advice to his son
"... Bear with patient constancy whatever....”
31:17
The Quran tells us to seek Allah’s help through patience and prayers, as Allah is with those who have patience. Tolerance is also a characteristic of Islam. By this term is meant a quality of allowing other people to have their own attitudes and beliefs even if you do not agree or approve.
The life of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) testifies to the fact that he was always tolerant and patient. Though he faced many difficulties, yet he never took revenge from his enemies. When he started to preach Islam, he was abused and rubbish and thorny bushes were thrown at him. Inspite of all the opposition and persecution, he continued to work with determination.
When the Holy Prophet(pbuh) went to Taif to preach the message of Islam, the people insulted him and abused him and threw stones at him. He was wounded so much so that his shoes were filled with blood. Even then he showed extraordinary patience and tolerance. He did not curse them, but prayed to Allah to guide them on the right path.
At the time of the conquest of Makkah, his bitterest enemies who had for twenty-one years insulted and persecuted the Holy Prophetpbuh and his followers, were before him as his captives. But he forgave them all. History cannot present another example of such patience and tolerance.
(6) Piety and Fear of Allah
The criteria of honour and superiority with Allah is piety and ‘taqwa’ or fear of Allah. It means to fear Allah and to be conscious of Him so that one may avoid all sinful acts.
Allah says in surah Al-Imran #102
“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared. ”
The fear means a high degree of respect and love for Allah, which makes a man afraid to do anything to displease Allah.
Piety is the root of all virtues. It is the constant awareness that one is always
in front of Allah who knows everything concerning him, even his most secret thoughts. In the words of the Quran, the pious are those who fear Allah in their most secret thoughts. Those who lead a life of piety and righteousness are the friends of Allah, and for them there is neither fear, nor shall they grieve.
Hadith
The Holy Prophet(pbuh) said
"Nearest and dearest to me are those who possess the virtue of piety. ”
The Prophet advised Muslims to make fear of Allah and piety the guiding principles of their lives.
(7) Justice and Kindness
Allah has ordered the practice of both justice and kindness. The Holy Quran says that one must be just because Allah loves the just. It is also said that He likes those who are kind to others.
Allah Himself is Rahman and Rahim and the life of the Holy Prophetpbuh is a unique example of justice and kindness put together.
Allah says in Al-Imran # 10
“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, Enjoining what is right, Forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.
According to the promise of Allah, good actions will be rewarded and evil will be punished. To avoid evil and to pursue good is the goal of Islam. We have to help one another in spreading all that is good and noble.
Hadith#1
The Holy Prophetpbuh said
“One who cheats is not amongst us.
A deceitful person adopts unfair means to attain temporary gains, but he can never be successful in this world or in the life Hereafter.
Hadith#2
The Holy Prophet(pbuh) said
“Cursed is he who injures a believer or plays deceit with him. ”
Hadith#3
Holy Prophetpbuh said
“The honest trader will be with the prophets, the truthf ul and the martyrs. ”
Orphans, Poor and Needy
Allah says in surah Al-baqra# 215 it is said.
" say: whatever you spend that is good is for parents and relatives
Allah also said in Al-baqra #83
“And treat with kindness your parents and relatives and orphans and those in need. ” Emphasis is also laid on feeding the poor. The Quran says:
“Have you seen the one who denies the Day of Judgement? Then such is the one who repulses the orphan with harshness and encourages not the feeding of the indigent. ” 107: 1-3
Hadith
“O Ayesha! do not turn the poor away, without giving them something, even if it is half a date. ”
Hadith #2
The Holy Prophet(pbuh) said: “The best Muslim house is that in which is an orphan who is well treated and the worst Muslim house is that in which is an orphan who is ill treated.
Treatment to Non-Muslims
Islam is a religion of love, mercy and tolerance and it preaches freedom of belief and faith. Hence, it recognizes the rights of non-Muslims.
The Holy Prophetpbuh practised religious tolerance towards non-Muslims and did not use force to compel people of other religions to embrace Islam as it would have been against the commands of the Quran.
The Holy Prophet(pbuh) gave special consideration and status to the non-Muslims in the Islamic State of Madinah. He showed immense good will and understanding towards them. Their holy books and places of worship were respected.
In Islam, there is no room for any compulsion on others to accept Islam. Only persuasion and logic can be used to show them the guidance that there is no god but Allah.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment