As with any other religion, tradition, or culture, there is no 'one set of' Islamic ethics. In this section we'll take a look at some of the major ideas in Islamic ethics as well as look at commonalities among them. Before we start, I want to point out a few things. First, I am no expert on this topic! I have done some research for this presentation, but others in the class may know more than me about Islam and Islamic ethics. If so, please feel free to contribute your own perspective. Secondly, this look at Islamic ethics will in part incorporate Middle Eastern ethics. Third, as I discovered, Islamic ethics has a rich and varied history, and this treatment will only skim the surface. If you are interested in further study, please note the sources I list at the end of this discussion.
Islamic ethics is grounded in the religion of Islam. The word Islam means "submission to God," which in part helps us to understand the underpinnings of Islamic ethics. All Islamic ethics (that I could find) agree that there is one true God; He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and All-Merciful. The unforgivable sin, širk, in some way negates the concept of God as unequaled. (This can mean idolatry, for example, or a person placing themselves above another person.) Islam's tenet of tawḥīd, or "doctrine of oneness" shows that Islam is a "deep monotheism" in that there truly is only one God, as opposed to, for example, a trinity. It is the mercy of God that is emphasized in the Qu'ran. Humans were all created from the same nafs, or soul. The concept of al-mizan describes the "overarching divine principle that provides our universe with balance and harmony." This not only explains the laws of nature, but also, in the human context, an ethical ideal to achieve (al-Hibri).
Islamic ethics have been shaped over time by a variety of sources. After reading several articles and book sections, I found Wikipedia paragraph to have the most succinct summary:
Islamic ethics (أخلاق إسلامية), defined as "good character," historically took shape gradually from the 7th century and was finally established by the 11th century.[1] It was eventually shaped as a successful amalgamation of the Qur'anic teachings, the teachings of the Sunnah of Muhammad, the precedents of Islamic jurists (see Sharia and Fiqh), the pre-Islamic Arabian tradition, and non-Arabic elements (including Persian and Greek ideas) embedded in or integrated with a generally Islamic structure.[1] Although Muhammad's preaching produced a "radical change in moral values based on the sanctions of the new religion and the present religion, and fear of God and of the Last Judgment", the tribal practice of Arabs did not completely die out. Later Muslim scholars expanded the religious ethic of the Qur'an and Hadith in immense detail.
An Abbreviated Timeline of Islamic Ethics
Islamic ethics grew out of the idea of man's capacity (qadar) to exercise free will in efforts to gain al-mizan (these efforts are called al-'adi). Questions arose in the seventh and eighth centuries about the extent to which man has free will, and to what extent God has pre-determined our fate. Primarily, these philosophers were concerned with the harsh rule of the caliphs, who justified their actions as divinely decreed. The rationalist movement that emerged from the Mu'tazilite theologians stated that humans have a duty to exercise their free will and do right acts as opposed to wrong acts. The Qadarites insisted that God defines right by what he commands and wrong by what he prohibits.
Subsequent Islamic philosophers turned to Greek philosophers, as opposed to the Qu'ran, for their starting point. Among many other ideas, these philosophers defined the soul (a la Plato) as consisting of three parts: rational (wisdom), irascible (courage), & concupiscent (temperance). They also returned to the idea that caliphs are necessary to ensure justice.
Finally, another group of Islamic philosophers turned back to religion and the Qu'ran. They state that a "quest for God" is the way to achieve moral and spiritual perfection. The quest for God means that a person's "actions must be governed by the prescriptions or ordinances of the 'divine law' (al-shar'), and they must ensure that God is constantly present in their hearts."
Commonalities in Islamic Ethics
While the various Islamic theologians' and philosophers' ideas contain some differences, there are some commonalities:
- Islamic ethics are not relative. There is an absolute right and an absolute wrong.
- Human beings are born with this ability to understand what is right and what is wrong. The Qu'ran reminds us of what we already know in our own minds.
- Good acts bring happiness and pleasure. Bad acts bring sadness and pain.
- Ethical people do good acts in order to stay close to God.
- Good acts are categorized into four types: justice (a socially good act to help others or injure those who deserve it); benefit (an act that brings happiness or pleasure); truthfulness (an act that brings happiness or avoids pain); willing good (having good intentions).
- Good acts include following the teachings in the Qu'ran, Sunnah, Hadith, Fiqh, and Shari'ah.
Some pre-Islamic Arab traditions merge well with Islamic ethics, while others clash. The four most important tenets of pre-Islamic Arab ethics are bravery, manliness, honor, and hospitality. Wajh, or saving face, is highly desirable, while shame is to be avoided. Muhammed taught people to let go of the value of manliness and instead embrace humility.
References:
al-Hibri, Azizah Y. "Divine Justice and the Human Order: An Islamic Prospective." Schweiker, W., Johnson, M. A., & Jung, K. (2006).Humanity before God: Contemporary faces of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic ethics. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
Fakhry, M. (1991). Ethical theories in Islam. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
Houser, R., Wilczenski, F. L., & Domokos-Cheng, H. M. A. (2006). Culturally relevant ethical decision-making in counseling. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications
Islamic ethics. (2011, February 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Islamic_ethics&oldid=413701684.
Leahman, Oliver, ed. "Ethics in Islamic Philosophy." Islamic Philosophy: From the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/ip/rep/H018
Patai, R. (1983). The Arab mind. New York: Scribner.
"Principles of Islamic Ethics: An Introduction." Understanding Islam: Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah. http://www.understanding-islam.com/articles/overview-of-islam/principles-of-islamic-ethics-an-introduction-75
