This document provides an introduction and overview of Islamic ethics. It defines Islamic ethics as a science that seeks to know which actions should be done and which should be avoided for the purpose of practicing virtue and avoiding vice. The scope of Islamic ethics is explained as comprehensive, dealing with relationships between humans and God, between humans, and within oneself. Key characteristics of Islamic ethics are outlined, including having divine pleasure as the main objective in determining right and wrong.

1. Introduction to Islamic Ethics
Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences
and Humanities, Riphah International University
Islamabad, Pakistan
Email : life.living@riphah.edu.pk

2. Objectives:
• Definition and meaning of Islamic Ethics
• Importance, Scope and Classification of Islamic ethics

3. Ethics in Islam :‫األخالق‬ ‫علم‬
Ethics in Islam is known as Ilm ul Akhlāq ‫األخالق‬ ‫علم‬
Definitions of Islamic Ethics By Muslim Scholars
1. Al-Ghazzali (d.1111): “Islamic Ethics or ilm al-akhlaq is a science of virtues and the
way to acquire the wellbeing of the soul, and of identification of vices and the way to
guard the soul against them. Islamic ethics is also a study of certain religious beliefs
and of
rightness or wrongness of actions for the purpose of practice;
and not for the sake of mere knowledge. According to him, the study of akhlaq
includes the study of right actions towards God (i.e. Rights of Allah, sense of
accountability, perfection in all matters),
and the study of right actions towards family members and society (Rights of
individuals). Thus, the scope of akhlaq is very wide”.

4. Cont…
• 2. Al-Farabi (d.950): “Islamic Ethics is a science that studies the state of
human soul. The virtues are good and fair actions while the vices are the
wicked and ugly actions”.
3. Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1263): “Ethics is a science that seeks to know
which actions should be done and which should be avoided. It is a
practical science; it seeks knowledge for the purpose of practicing it.”
4. The Essence of the Definitions of Different Muslim Philosophers is
that: “Ethics or Ilm al-Akhlaq (as the science of the human soul) defines
the characteristics and qualities of the soul and it also defines the methods
of how to control and moderate them”.

5. Cont…
Thus, the definition of akhlaq is a formation of 3 elements:
1. An innate, inborn trait or characteristic (as human beings are born on
the basis of Allah’s nature as Allah said in Surah Room verse 30:
‫ا‬َ‫ه‬ۡ‫ي‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ َ
‫اس‬َّ‫ن‬‫ال‬ َ‫ر‬َ‫ط‬َ‫ف‬ ۡ‫ى‬ِ‫ت‬َّ‫ال‬ ِ ‫ه‬
‫ّٰللا‬ َ‫ت‬َ‫ر‬ۡ‫ط‬ِ‫ف‬
ؕ
ِ‫ق‬ۡ‫َـل‬‫خ‬ِ‫ل‬ َ‫ل‬ۡ‫ي‬ِ‫د‬ۡ‫ب‬َ‫ت‬ َ
‫َل‬
ُِ‫ي‬‫ي‬ََۡ‫ال‬ ُۡ‫ي‬ِ‫ي‬‫د‬‫ال‬ ََِ‫ل‬‫ل‬ٰ ِ ‫ه‬
‫ّٰللا‬
ۙ
َ‫ث‬ۡ‫ك‬َ‫ا‬ َُِّ‫ك‬‫ـ‬‫ل‬‫ل‬ َ‫و‬
َ‫ن‬ ۡ
‫و‬‫م‬َ‫ل‬ۡ‫ع‬َ‫ي‬ َ
‫َل‬ ِ
‫اس‬َّ‫ن‬‫ال‬ َ‫ر‬
….This is the original pattern (nature) belonging to Allah on which He has
originated (nature of) humankind. No change can there be in Allah’s
creation. This is the upright, ever-true Religion, but most of the people
do not know.”

6. Cont…
2. Akhlaq developed through training or discipline as in Surah Tahrim, verse 6:
‫ا‬ً‫َار‬‫ن‬ ُْ‫يك‬ِ‫ل‬ْ‫ه‬َ‫أ‬ َ‫و‬ ُْ‫ك‬َ‫س‬‫نف‬َ‫أ‬ ‫وا‬‫ق‬ ‫وا‬‫ن‬َ‫م‬‫آ‬ َُ‫ِي‬‫ذ‬َّ‫ل‬‫ا‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ه‬ُّ‫ي‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ي‬
“O believers! Guard yourselves and your families from the Fire…”
‫ي‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ه‬ِ‫ن‬‫ا‬َ‫ر‬‫ي‬ ِ
‫َص‬‫ن‬‫ي‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫ه‬ِ‫ن‬‫ا‬َ‫د‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫و‬َ‫ه‬‫ي‬ ‫اه‬ َ‫و‬َ‫ب‬َ‫أ‬َ‫ف‬ ِ‫ة‬َ‫ر‬ْ‫ط‬ِ‫ف‬ْ‫ال‬ ‫ى‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ ‫د‬َ‫ل‬‫و‬‫ي‬ َّ‫َل‬ِ‫إ‬ ٍ‫د‬‫و‬‫ل‬ ْ‫و‬َ‫م‬ ُِْ‫م‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬
ِ‫ه‬ِ‫ن‬‫ا‬َ‫س‬‫ي‬َِِّ‫م‬
“There is none born but is created to his true nature (Islam). It is his parents who make him a
Jew or a Christian or a Magian…..” (Sahih Muslim Hadith no. 2658b)

7. Cont…
ٍَُ‫س‬َ‫ح‬ ٍ‫ب‬َ‫د‬َ‫أ‬ ُِْ‫م‬ َ‫ل‬َ‫ض‬ْ‫ف‬َ‫أ‬ ٍ‫ل‬ْ‫َح‬‫ن‬ ُِْ‫م‬ ‫ًا‬‫د‬َ‫ل‬ َ‫و‬ ٌ‫د‬ِ‫ل‬‫ا‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫ل‬َ‫ح‬َ‫ن‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬
"There is no gift that a father gives his son more virtuous than good manners.“ (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1952)
• 3. Finally Akhlaq as a custom or a habit, covering the inner and outer dimension of a person as in Surah
Al-Qalam verse 4:
ٍُ‫ي‬ِ‫ظ‬َ‫ع‬ ٍ‫ق‬‫ل‬‫خ‬ ‫لى‬َ‫ع‬َ‫ل‬ َََّ‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬َ‫و‬
“And You (Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character”.

8. The Scope of Islamic Ethics
It is plentiful, far reaching and comprehensive because Islamic ethics deals with the relationship between
Allah and man, man and his fellow men, men and other creatures of the universe, and man with his
innermost self.
َ‫س‬َِّْ‫ال‬ َ‫د‬َ‫س‬َ‫ف‬ ْ‫ت‬َ‫د‬َ‫س‬َ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬َِٰ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ ،‫ه‬ُّ‫ل‬‫ك‬ ‫د‬َ‫س‬َِّْ‫ال‬ َ‫ح‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ص‬ ْ‫ت‬َ‫ح‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ص‬ ‫ا‬َِٰ‫إ‬ ً‫ة‬َ‫غ‬ْ‫ض‬‫م‬ ِ‫د‬َ‫س‬َِّْ‫ال‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ َّ‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫َل‬َ‫أ‬
‫ه‬ُّ‫ل‬‫ك‬ ‫د‬
.
‫ب‬ْ‫ل‬ََْ‫ال‬ َ‫ي‬ِ‫ه‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫َل‬َ‫أ‬
"
Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but
if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart..”
[Sahih Bukhari, Hadith no.52]

9. Cont…
• Therefore, Islamic Ethics on the whole, deals with the study of :-
* Promoting Virtues,
* Protecting from Vices,
* Purification of Man’s Soul or Man’s Inward Dimension (Developing Akhlaq Hasanah, Avoiding Akhlaq Sayy’iah
& Mindfulness of Allah)
* Man’s Outward Dimension, his Characters, Actions and Responsibilities (Observing Islamic Laws and Boundaries)
* Happiness and Misery (Unwavering Trust in Allah’s Plans.
Surah Zumar Verse 53: ِ َّ
‫ّٰللا‬ ِ‫ة‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ح‬َ‫ر‬ ُِْ‫م‬ ‫وا‬‫َط‬‫ن‬ََْ‫ت‬ َ
‫َل‬ “...Do not despair of the mercy of Allah.”
AND Surah Ibrahim, verse 7: ۖ ُْ‫ك‬َّ‫ن‬َ‫د‬‫ي‬ ِ
‫ز‬َ َ
‫َل‬ ُْ‫ت‬ ْ‫ر‬َ‫ك‬َ‫ش‬ ُِ‫ئ‬َ‫ل‬ “...If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]” )

10. The Scope of Islamic Ethics
1. How al-Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions expounds ethics?
2. What is the best model of values and norms?
3. What is right and What is wrong in its essence?
4. What is rewarded and punishable by Allah?
5. Is ethics related to Deen (faith)?
6. What are the issues related to ethics?

11. Characteristics of Islamic Ethics:
1. Setting Divine Pleasure as the Main Objective
* It is the highest possible standard of morality. (Acknowledging one’s Creator means realizing one’s own
origin & position in the world. That’s how, a person knows his/her purpose and mission in the world (being
representative of Allah as mentioned in Surah Baqarah, verse 30: ‫ي‬ِ‫ي‬‫ن‬ِ‫إ‬
ٌ‫ل‬ِ‫ع‬‫ا‬َ‫ج‬
‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬
ِ
‫ض‬ ْ‫ر‬َ ْ
‫اَل‬
ً‫ة‬َ‫ف‬‫ي‬ِ‫ل‬َ‫خ‬ “Indeed, I am
about to create a vicegerent on earth…” ). That’s when, he/she is able to determine the criterion of right &
wrong in the light of Divine Guidance. First of all, a person needs to be Obedient, Grateful & Mindful of
Him, to Remember Him and show Him Acknowledgement & then to Others)
‫َا‬‫ن‬ۡ‫د‬ِ‫ه‬َ‫ش‬ ۚۛ ‫ى‬‫ل‬‫ل‬َ‫ب‬ ‫ا‬ ۡ
‫و‬‫ال‬َ‫ق‬ ُۡ‫ك‬ِ‫ي‬‫ب‬ َ‫ر‬ِ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬ۡ‫س‬َ‫ل‬َ‫ا‬
“And when your Lord brought forth descendants from the loins of the sons of Adam, and made them witnesses
against their own selves, asking them: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes, we do testify.' We did so lest
you claim on the Day of Resurrection: 'We were unaware of this.' (Surah Al-A'raf, verse 172)
ُِ‫ي‬ ِ
‫ر‬َ‫ك‬ْ‫ال‬ ََِ‫ي‬‫ب‬ َ‫ر‬ِ‫ب‬ َ‫ك‬َّ‫َر‬‫غ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ ‫ان‬َ‫س‬‫ن‬ِ ْ
‫اْل‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ه‬ُّ‫ي‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ي‬
“ 0 man! What has deceived you about your Gracious Lord” (Surah Al-Infitar, verse 6)

12. Cont…
• It provides a sanction for morality and determines a Muslim’s attitude. The love and fear of God will
develop a sense of obligation, sincerity & responsibility in a person to obey the moral law even
without external pressure e.g. saying thanks, showing random kindness, granting forgiveness &
asking for forgiveness.
"
ِ
‫ر‬َ‫ك‬ْ‫ن‬‫م‬ْ‫ال‬ َُِ‫ع‬ ََ‫ي‬ْ‫ه‬َ‫ن‬ َ‫و‬ ِ‫وف‬‫ر‬ْ‫ع‬َ‫م‬ْ‫ال‬ِ‫ب‬ َ‫ك‬‫ر‬ْ‫م‬َ‫أ‬ َ‫و‬ ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬ َََ‫ل‬ ََ‫ي‬ ِ‫خ‬َ‫أ‬ ِ‫ه‬ْ‫ج‬ َ‫و‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ ََ‫م‬ُّ‫س‬َ‫ب‬َ‫ت‬
َّ‫الر‬ َ‫ك‬‫َاد‬‫ش‬ ْ‫ر‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬
ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬ َََ‫ل‬ ِ‫ل‬َ‫ال‬َّ‫ض‬‫ال‬ ِ
‫ض‬ ْ‫ر‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ َ‫ل‬‫ج‬
َ‫ع‬ْ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫ة‬َ‫ك‬ ْ‫و‬َّ‫ش‬‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫ر‬ََِّ‫ح‬ْ‫ال‬ ََ‫ت‬َ‫ط‬‫ا‬َ‫م‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬ َََ‫ل‬ ِ
‫ر‬َ‫ص‬َ‫ب‬ْ‫ال‬ ِ‫ِيء‬‫د‬َّ‫الر‬ ِ‫ل‬‫ج‬َّ‫لر‬ِ‫ل‬ َ‫ك‬‫ر‬َ‫ص‬َ‫ب‬ َ‫و‬
َََ‫ل‬ ِ‫ق‬‫ي‬ ِ
‫ر‬َّ‫الط‬ َُِ‫ع‬ َُْ‫ظ‬
ْ‫ل‬َ‫د‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ َ‫ك‬ِ‫و‬ْ‫ل‬َ‫د‬ ُِْ‫م‬ ََ‫اغ‬ َ‫ر‬ْ‫ف‬ِ‫إ‬ َ‫و‬ ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬
ََ‫ي‬ ِ‫خ‬َ‫أ‬ ِ‫و‬
ٌ‫ة‬َ‫ق‬َ‫د‬َ‫ص‬ َََ‫ل‬
“Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity,
your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad
sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you.
Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you”.
(Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith no.1956).

13. Cont..
• Making Divine Revelation (Qur’an & Hadith) as the primary source of knowledge gives
stability to the moral standards as Qur’an is the Book of Principles which encapsulates
numerous Ethical Values & Hadith provides Elaboration of Qur’anic Injunctions and
Practical Demonstration of those Ethical Values by the Personality of the Prophet
Muhammad peace be upon him as stated in Surah Ahzab, verse 21:
ٌ‫َة‬‫ن‬َ‫س‬َ‫ح‬ ٌ‫ة‬ َ‫و‬ْ‫س‬‫أ‬ ِ َّ
‫ّٰللا‬ ِ‫ل‬‫و‬‫س‬ َ‫ر‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ ُْ‫ك‬َ‫ل‬ َ‫ان‬َ‫ك‬ ْ‫د‬َََ‫ل‬
“Surely, in (the life of ) the Messenger of Allah, there is an excellent role-model for you}).

14. 2. Universal and Comprehensive Application of the Moral Principles of Islam
* Islam takes up all the commonly known moral virtues with a sense of balance
Examples of Balance:
i) Co-existence, tolerance, patience & freedom of religious beliefs and
practices for non-muslim community.
ْ‫د‬َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ي‬
‫ّٰللا‬ ْ‫ا‬‫ُّو‬‫ب‬‫س‬َ‫ي‬َ‫ف‬ ِ ‫ي‬
‫ّٰللا‬ ِ‫ون‬‫د‬ ُِ‫م‬ َ‫ون‬‫ع‬ْ‫د‬َ‫ي‬ َُ‫ِي‬‫ذ‬َّ‫ال‬ ْ‫ا‬‫ُّو‬‫ب‬‫س‬َ‫ت‬ َ‫َل‬ َ‫و‬
ٍُْ‫ل‬ِ‫ع‬ ِ
‫ْر‬‫ي‬َ‫غ‬ِ‫ب‬ ‫ا‬ ً‫و‬
“And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah , lest they insult
Allah in enmity without knowledge…..” (Surah An’am verse 106)

15. Cont…
• ii) In Islam, nature has its own order and functions (fitrah) that work naturally within ecosystems
wherein the components are mutually dependent on each other. Any single disturbance will
affect the balance (mizan) of the greater system and cause harm (fasad) to at least one or more
components. To sustain the balance is a core principle of Islamic worldviews, which is to
preserve and sustain the wellbeing of nature and to bring peace to its inhabitants.
(Environmental Ethics in Islam)
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/9781783267507_0008
iii) Deforestation or illegal hunting & trafficking of wild animals, throwing waste in seas &
rivers disturb the natural system.
ُْ‫ِيك‬‫د‬ْ‫ي‬َ‫أ‬ ْ‫ت‬َ‫ب‬َ‫س‬َ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ِ‫ب‬َ‫ف‬ ٍ‫ة‬َ‫ب‬‫ي‬ ِ
‫ص‬ُّ‫م‬ ُِ‫ي‬‫م‬ ُ‫ك‬َ‫ب‬‫ا‬َ‫ص‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ َ‫و‬
“And whenever a disaster strikes you, it is due to what your hands have earned (what you have
done).” (Verse 30 of Surah Ash-Shura)

16. Cont…
• iii) Deforestation or illegal hunting & trafficking of wild animals, throwing waste in seas & rivers
disturb the natural system.
ُْ‫ِيك‬‫د‬ْ‫ي‬َ‫أ‬ ْ‫ت‬َ‫ب‬َ‫س‬َ‫ك‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ِ‫ب‬َ‫ف‬ ٍ‫ة‬َ‫ب‬‫ي‬ ِ
‫ص‬ُّ‫م‬ ُِ‫ي‬‫م‬ ُ‫ك‬َ‫ب‬‫ا‬َ‫ص‬َ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ َ‫و‬
“And whenever a disaster strikes you, it is due to what your hands have earned (what you have
done).” (Verse 30 of Surah Ash-Shura)
• iv) Only peaceful & docile animals are allowed to eat as it has impact on human nature while meat
of beasts & birds of prey is not allowed as they are wild and ferocious. Surah Nahl verse 5:
“And He created the cattle for you as a source of warmth, food, and ˹many other˺ benefits.”
v) Cattle, poultry are overpopulated while reproduction of wild animals are not very swift..
Also they are the beauty of nature.

17. Cont…
• Islam widens this scope of application to cover every aspect of man’s individual and
collective life e.g. in family, in society, at workplace, as a senior, as a junior etc.
* Morality reigns and ensures that the affairs of life, instead of being dominated by
selfish desires should be regulated by the norms of morality.
ٍ
‫ض‬ۡ‫ع‬َ‫ب‬ ‫ء‬ٓ‫ا‬َ‫ي‬ِ‫ل‬ ۡ
‫و‬َ‫ا‬ ُۡ‫ه‬‫ض‬ۡ‫ع‬َ‫ب‬ ‫ت‬‫ل‬‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ ۡ
‫ؤ‬‫م‬ۡ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬ َ‫ن‬ ۡ
‫و‬‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ ۡ
‫ؤ‬‫م‬ۡ‫ال‬ َ‫و‬
“The believers, male and female, are friends to each other…..”
(Surah Tawbah, verse 71)

18. Cont…
• ِ‫ه‬ِ‫س‬ْ‫ف‬َ‫ن‬ِ‫ل‬ ُّ‫ب‬ ِ‫ح‬ُ‫ي‬ ‫ا‬َ‫م‬ ِ‫ه‬‫ي‬ ِ‫خ‬َ‫أل‬ َّ‫ب‬ ِ‫ح‬ُ‫ي‬ ‫ى‬َّ‫ت‬َ‫ح‬ ْ‫م‬ُ‫ك‬ُ‫د‬َ‫ح‬َ‫أ‬ ُ‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ْ‫ؤ‬ُ‫ي‬ ‫ال‬
“None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.“ (Sahih
al-Bukhari Hadith no.13)
ِ‫م‬ ‫َى‬‫ك‬َ‫ت‬ْ‫ش‬‫ا‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ذ‬ِ‫إ‬ ِ‫د‬َ‫س‬َ‫ج‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬ ُ‫ل‬َ‫ث‬َ‫م‬ ْ‫م‬ِ‫ه‬ِ‫ف‬ُ‫ط‬‫ا‬َ‫ع‬َ‫ت‬َ‫و‬ ْ‫م‬ِ‫ه‬ِ‫م‬ُ‫ح‬‫ا‬َ‫ر‬َ‫ت‬َ‫و‬ ْ‫م‬ِ‫ه‬ِ‫اد‬َ‫و‬َ‫ت‬ ‫ي‬ِ‫ف‬ َ‫ين‬ِ‫ن‬ِ‫م‬ْ‫ؤ‬ُ‫م‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬ ُ‫ل‬َ‫ث‬َ‫م‬
َ‫ل‬ ‫َى‬‫ع‬‫َا‬‫د‬َ‫ت‬ ٌ‫و‬ْ‫ض‬ُ‫ع‬ ُ‫ه‬ْ‫ن‬
‫ى‬َّ‫م‬ُ‫ح‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬َ‫و‬ ِ
‫ر‬َ‫ه‬َّ‫س‬‫ال‬ِ‫ب‬ ِ‫د‬َ‫س‬َ‫ج‬ْ‫ل‬‫ا‬ ُ‫ر‬ِ‫ئ‬‫ا‬َ‫س‬ ُ‫ه‬
“The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body;
when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.”
(Sahih Muslim Hadith no.2586a)

19. Cont….
• Qur’anic message of ethics is universal so Prophetic teachings & Uswah (role-model/practical demonstration) is also universal.
* Islam was not product of Makkah & Madinah. Islam came to Islamized the World, Not to Arabized everyone. Islam emerged
from Arabia as it was revealed to the Prophet who belonged to Arabia, however, it’s not an Arab religion or the religion of Desert.
It’s Values are Not Arab, Asian, African or European rather they are universal.
Examples
* Universe itself is Muslim. It doesn’t go against the command of Allah.
• Surah al-Baqarah, verse 164: “Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day-
time, and the ships that run in the sea with whatever profits mankind, and whatever water Allah sends down from the heaven - so
therewith He gives life to the earth after its death and disseminates therein all kinds of beast - and the (constant) turning about of
the winds, and the clouds subjected between the heaven and the earth, (these) are indeed signs for people who consider.”

20. Cont…
• So universe gives us Examples of routine and regularity and submission to Allah.
* There should not be contradiction/hypocrisy in our responses, behaviour & actions. Our
ethical values should be same in home & society, with superior & junior, on national &
international level.
* Islam is universal as Allah is not confined to prayer-mat, mosque & the month of Ramadan.
(Islam=10% Worships & 90% Dealings).
* Limits & boundaries are to be followed by everyone whether in East or West.
* A Muslim’s attitude  wellbeing & benefit of mankind e.g. no harmful experiments, making
deadliest weapons, biohazard waste, throwing nuclear discharge & chemicals to seas etc.
* A Muslim’s attitude  Beneficious attitude towards environment e.g. no deforestation,
destroying inhabitants of wild animals, several kinds of pollution (land, air & water) which leads
towards global warming and ozone-layer destruction.

21. • 3. Islamic Ethics Shapes a System of Life for Man which is based on Good and Free form
Evil
It invokes people not only to practice virtue but also to establish virtue and eradicate vice, bid
good and forbid wrong. ( Medical Ethics an Islamic Perspective, Dr Muhammad Iqbal Khan, IPS Press, p xx, xxi.)
* Marriage: An institution to legalize one’s desires, guard one's chastity & preservation of
mankind.
* Consent in Marriage: Willingness from both bride & groom without forcing anyone of them.
* Prohibition of Triple Divorce in One Session: In order to obstruct the way of any
unpleasant consequences like broken family without the chance of reconciliation, Halalah,
psychological issues among children.
Khula’: A right & authority in the hand of women when there is No chance of peacemaking.
* Polygamy: To provide protection and dignity to the orphan girls, unmarried women, widows
& divorcees (women outnumber men in many societies).

22. Evolution of Ethical Values in the
East and the West

23. The Islamic Paradigm

24. Universal Values
• The Quranic sociology does not accept local, tribal, regional or territorial
origin of ethical values.
• Ethical values in Islam are Universal, Absolute and Divine; they are not
Relative, Particular, Temporal, Intuitive, Mystical or Personal.

25. Ethics in the Islamic Context
• Ethics, in the Islamic context, means principled human action, motivated
and guided by the Divine Guidance (hidayah, wahi) and the model
behavior of the Final Prophet (pbuh).
• Human actions are not supposed to be meaningless (‘abath), but based on
good (ma’ruf), virtue (birr), and permissible (halal) therefore essentially
ethical. If otherwise, such actions will fall in the category of negative and
bad (munkar), sinful (sa’iyah), undesirable (makruh) and prohibited
(haram).

26. References
-Understanding Islamic Ethics and Its Significance on the
Character Building by Adibah Binti Abdul Rahim, International Journal of Social Science and
Humanity, Vol. 3, No. 6, November 2013, pp.508-510.
-A Global Ethics for a Globalized World Author(s): Anis Ahmad Source: Policy Perspectives , 2013,
Vol. 10, No. 1 (2013), pp. 63-77 Published by: Pluto Journals Stable URL:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42909298