What is The Morality
Introduction
Morality in Islam is the principles and rules governing human behavior, which are determined by revelation to organize human life in such a way as to achieve the purpose of his existence in this world in the fullest and most complete way, and this Islamic system of ethics is characterized by two characteristics:
The first is that it has a divine character, in the sense that it is the will of Allah Almighty.
The second is that it is of human nature, that is, human has an effort and has entered into determining this system from a practical point of view.
This system is the system of working for a charitable life; it is a model of behavior and a way of dealing with oneself, God and society.
It is a system in which the theoretical aspect is integrated with the practical side of it, and it is not only part of the general Islamic system, but it is the essence, core and spirit of Islam that is valid in all its aspects: the Islamic system - in general-is built on its moral principles in the first place, and morality is the essence of the heavenly messages at all. The Prophet Mohammed(peace be upon him) said: "I have been sent to fulfill the virtues of morality" [ narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad ].
The purpose of his mission-may Allah's peace be upon him, is to complete morality, work to correct it, and spread its virtues, but the goal of all messages is a moral goal, and religion itself is good manners.
The Importance of Morality
That morality is the most prominent thing that people see, and they realize it from all the other works of Islam; people do not see a person's faith, because it is on the heart, as they do not see all his worship, but they see his morality, and deal with him through it; so they will evaluate his religion based on his dealings, they judge the truthfulness of his claim through his morals and behavior, not through his words or assertions. History has told us that the Far East, represented today by Indonesia, Malaya, the Philippines, and Malaysia, did not embrace Islam due to the eloquence of preachers or the swords of conquerors, but rather due to the morals and conduct of traders from Hadhramaut and Oman. This was because they dealt with them with honesty, trustworthiness, justice, and generosity. What is regrettable today is that the very means which attracted many people to Islam have now become what repels people from it. This is due to the corruption of morals and behavior, as people now see a disparity—or even a contradiction—between the claim and the reality.
Islam no longer considers morality as mere behavior; rather, it regards it as an act of worship for which a person is rewarded and as an arena for competition among believers. The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) made it the foundation of excellence and distinction on the Day of Judgment, saying: "The most beloved to me among you and the nearest to me in the Hereafter in rank are those with the best morality. And the most hateful to me and the farthest from me in the Hereafter are those with the worst morality—the verbose, the pompous, and the pretentious talkers." (Al-Silsilah al-Saḥīḥah: 2/379).
He also made the reward for good character heavy on the Scale, indeed nothing is heavier than it, saying: "Nothing placed on the Scale is heavier than good character." (Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 4799).
Furthermore, He equated the reward for good morality with the reward for fundamental acts of worship, such as fasting and night prayer, saying: "Indeed, by his good character, a believer can attain the rank of one who fasts (during the day) and prays (at night)." (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb: 2643).
In fact, the importance given by the Lawgiver to good character reached the extent of making it a means of entering Paradise. He (peace be upon him) was asked about what most often causes people to enter Paradise, and he replied: "Fear of Allah and good character." (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī). In another narration, He guaranteed a person of good character entry into Paradise, indeed into its highest levels, saying: "I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise for one who avoids argument even if he is right, a house in the middle of Paradise for one who avoids lying even in jest, and a house in the highest part of Paradise for one who has excellent Morality." (Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd).
Models of Good Manners
Among good manners is being dutiful to one’s parents and maintaining ties of kinship. The true maintainer of family ties is not the one who merely reciprocates kindness, but rather the one who maintains them even when his relatives cut him off. Among good manners is kindness to neighbors and conveying benefit to them.
Among good manners is spreading greetings of peace to both those one knows and those one does not, speaking kindly, feeding others, and praying at night while people are asleep. The Prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings that whoever does so will enter Paradise in peace.
Among good manners is greeting one’s family upon entering the home. This is a well-known Sunnah that many people have neglected today, even though it is a source of blessing for both the one who offers the greeting and the members of the household, as explained by the Prophet ﷺ.
Among good manners is treating one’s wife with honor and respect, showing cheerfulness, and speaking kindly. The Prophet Mohammed peace be open him said: “The best of you are the best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” (Authenticated in al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah).
Among good manners is dealing with people politely and faithfully, avoiding coldness and harshness, speaking truthfully, fulfilling trusts, and sincerely advising them. These are among the most important morals of faith and religious commitment.
And among good manners is maintaining the cleanliness of the body and clothing, and of the home, for Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty, is Pure and loves purity, is Clean and loves cleanliness. And when Allah bestows a blessing upon His servant, He loves to see its effect upon him.
The Benefits of Morality for the Individual and Society
1- spreading security and safety among individuals and society.
2- the presence of intimacy and love between people.
3- the rule of cooperation and social solidarity among the community; Muslims are one nation, their rich sympathize with their poor.
4- renounce division, discord and what tears society apart, and adhere to values and principles.
5- contributing to the service of society, lifting its suffering, and providing what benefits the nation and humanity; the believer is like Al-Ghaith wherever it is useful.
6- positivity in society, activating the command to do good and forbidding evil, including its foundations and rules without alienating people, or the absence of Sharia and its teachings.
7- doing good to people with love and great happiness, activating production, and a culture of giving and giving among the community.
8- spreading the spirit of tolerance and spreading it among people, and towards a high-end society dominated by intimacy and love.