Ethics in Islam

The word Ethics comes from the greek word ethos that means character.

Ethics is the branch of study dealing with what is the proper course of action for
mankind. Ethics is a requirement for human life. It is our means of deciding a course
of action. Without it, our actions would be random and aimless.

In Islam the equivalent of the term ethics or ethos is Adab ,Akhlaq

Scholar in Islam translate the word Adab to mean ethics. In Han Wehr the Adab means- morals, ethics,
well-manner, discipline, educated.

The first our ethical obligation is first with our Lord. Or Adab is first directed towards Allah.

This ethical obligations is realize through our gratitude towards our lord.

Gratitude is a spiritual and moral state of mind, spiritual in the sense of acknowledging the believers
obligation to the creator, and moral in the sense of mandating rightful conduct in relation to God.

Pg 370 Gratitude and Ingratitude

Sahih International: It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and
sent down rain from the sky and produced thereby some fruits as provision for
you and subjected for you the ships to sail through the sea by His command
and subjected for you the rivers.

Chapter (14) srat ib'rhm (Abraham)

Sahih International: And He subjected for you the sun and the moon,
continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day.

Chapter (14) srat ib'rhm (Abraham)

Sahih International: And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if
you should count the favor of Allah , you could not enumerate them. Indeed,
mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.

10:60 27:73 not grateful.

Chapter (39) srat l-zumar (The Groups)

Sahih International: Rather, worship [only] Allah and be among the

grateful.

Those who are grateful are those who are thankful during the good times and
the bad times. They say Hamdulillah when they are in affliction and
hamidulillah when things are going good.

The prophet Muhammad said look at those who are less fortunate than you

Chapter (46) srat l-aqf (The Curved Sand-hills) Dua

Yusuf Ali: "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which
Thou has bestowed upon me.

Adab is connected with Shariah (moral code) The Shariah is seen in the Quran
first then in the life example of the Prophet. The Shariah is best describe as a
moral code. Morality is related to law but different from it, for although there
are acts that are forbidden both by law and morality, such as theft and murder,
there are acts that morally bad but not punished by law. In Western society
there are a lot of things that are morally wrong but are not illegal or bended by
law. The Shariah focuses on morality and things that are ethically wrong. Thats
why the shariah is more of a moral code. It focus on how to live a virtues life.
(Maqasid Shariah) For example arguring with people

Chapter (8) srat l-anfl (The Spoils of War)

Sahih International: And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not
dispute

The Quran is a book of more moral guidelines not laws.

In the Quran it speaks of virtues, moral characteristics that are recognized and
loved by Allah (SWT) The first is Sabara patients, (taqwa) regardfulness and
Hasan goodness (what the prophet ask what is ahsan)

Sabr means to exercise self control, to be proactive and to endure great adversity.

Chapter (46) srat l-aqf (The Curved Sand-hills)

Sahih International: So be patient,

Yusuf Ali: Therefore patiently persevere,

Chapter (2) srat l-baqarah (The Cow)

Sahih International: O you who have believed, seek help through patience
and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

The Quranic idea of patience is one of endurance doing affliction

Chapter (31) srat luq'mn

Sahih International:, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all]
that is of the matters [requiring] determination.

Pickthall persevere whatever may befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast
heart of things.

Yusuf Ali: and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is
firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.

Shakir: bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require
courage;

Muhammad Sarwar Be patient in hardship. Patience comes from faith and

determination.

The prophet said Patience is half of Faith.

Tawwakul trust pg 382 Trust and patient Encyclapedia (trust compliments

patience)

Patientce is demonstrated clearly with the story of Ayyub or Jonah. Ayyub is

seen as the model picture of patience in the Quran.

3:146

2nd half

of virtues, moral characteristics that are recognized and loved by Allah (SWT)

Taqwa and Hasan

Taqwa 49:13/ 7:25 2:194 Surah Nahal:128

Sahih International: O mankind, indeed We have created you from male

and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.
Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.
Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Chapter (7) srat l-arf (The Heights)

Sahih International: O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you

clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of
righteousness - that is best.

Chapter (2) srat l-baqarah (The Cow)

And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.
Ahsan or Hasan

Chapter (5) srat l-midah (The Table spread with Food)

Sahih International: There is not upon those who believe and do

righteousness [any] blame concerning what they have eaten [in the past] if
they [now] fear Allah and believe and do righteous deeds, and then fear Allah
and believe, and then fear Allah and do good; and Allah loves the doers of
good.

Pickthall: There shall be no sin (imputed) unto those who believe and do
good works for what they may have eaten (in the past). So be mindful of your
duty (to Allah), and believe, and do good works; and again: be mindful of your
duty, and believe; and once again: be mindful of your duty, and do right. Allah
loveth the good.

Yusuf Ali: On those who believe and do deeds of righteousness there is no

blame for what they ate (in the past), when they guard themselves from evil,
and believe, and do deeds of righteousness,- (or) again, guard themselves from
evil and believe,- (or) again, guard themselves from evil and do good. For
Allah loveth those who do good.

Imran 133-134

31:22 10:26

Go to Hadith on Ahsan talk about it (study the word Khabara in Quran

dictionary a Hans Wehr. And the word An. Combine the two definitions to
create a new translation.
Angel Jabriel ask prophet Muhammad what was his experience with Al Ahsan.
The Prophet answered read the Arabic

Collection of Ilm pg47

Took about the prophet night journey

Sahih International: And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

Yusuf Ali: And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that he sent to perfect noble

character.
Sahih International: And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

Yusuf Ali: And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that he sent to perfect noble

character.

Chapter (68) srat l-qalam (The Pen)

Chapter (33) srat l-azb (The Combined Forces)

Yusuf Ali: Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of
conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who
engages much in the remembrance of Allah.