ISLAMIC ETHICS: Character

ISLAMIC ETHICS: Character الخُلُقٍ

Abdullatif Aljibury, Phd.

Danville, California

“Religion is mainly Character”

The function of a moral code of ethics is to shape the conduct and character of the Muslim in a form that is in line with the principles and teachings encompassed in the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The behavior and morals of the Muslim Believer are but a reflection of all that is good and virtuous. To help the Muslim shape up his or her character,

God has also commanded us in the Quran in very clear terms to emulate the character and morals of the Prophet. This is stated in 38:21 of the Quran:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.

God has attested in the Quran the sublime character of the Prophet (pbuh):

In 68:4 of the Quran addresses our Prophet in the following way:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

Surely you (O Muhammad) stand out at an exalted standard of character

God has given us a role model and an example of sublime character and behavioral conduct to emulate. The Prophet’s character is no more and no less than the direct application of the Divine code of ethics that God almighty and in His infinite wisdom has prescribed for us to follow, and for our own benefits. The moral code of ethics is not a hypothetical set of rules and orders that can only be attained by the super human, but rather they are a set of practical behavioral pattern that have been shown to be humanly possible as set forth in the shining example of the Prophet.

What stands out in the character of the Prophet is his integrity and honesty. He was known during his youth and before he became a Prophet as “the Truthful and Trustworthy.” It is these traits that led a successful business woman to entrust him and employ him to be the director of her business and later on to propose to him in marriage These two traits are among the many in the divine code of ethics that had a direct influence in the success of the Prophet as a businessman and even before he became a Prophet.

What is clear from this example and something that should not escape the wise person is that the divine code is right and when followed, it does lead the person to be a successful individual? It is foremost for the benefit of the individual and consequently the society as a whole.

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #1:

Be honest, trustworthy and just in dealing with others,

Quran 6:152

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

And come not near to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever you speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill the covenants of Allah: thus does He command you, that you may remember

Quran 11:85

وَيَا قَوْمِ أَوْفُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِين

"And O my people! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.

Quran 17:34

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۚ وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا

Come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfill the covenant, for every covenant will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)

Quran 26:181-182.

أَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُخْسِرِينَ وَزِنُوا بِالْقِسْطَاسِ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ

Give a full measure and be not of those who diminish

And weigh with scales true and upright.

Quran 55:9

وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَان

So establish weight with justice and do not fall shortly thereof

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #2:

Maintain and serve Justice, even if against yourself or a relative:

Quran 4:58

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

Allah does command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when you judge between people, you judge justly: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things.

Quran 4:135

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا ۚ وَإِنْ تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

O you who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Quran 5:8

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do

Quran 6:151

And O my people! give just measure and weight. Do not withhold from the people the things that are their due: Commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.

Quran 16:90

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.

Quran 26:182

وَزِنُوا بِالْقِسْطَاسِ الْمُسْتَقِيم

And weigh with scales true and straight

Quran 55:9

وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَان

So establish weight with justice and do not fall short in the balance

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #3

Be truthful even if a near relative is concerned

Quran 4:135

O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it is (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.

Quran 6:152

And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #4:

Do not conceal the truth

Quran 2:42

وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #5:

Do Not Lie

Quran 22:30

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّور

Such (is the Pilgrimage): whoever honours the sacred rites of Allah, for him it is good in the Sight of his Lord. Lawful to you (for food in Pilgrimage) are cattle, except those mentioned to you (as exception): but shun the abomination of idols, and shun the word that is false,-

Quran 39:32

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءَهُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِلْكَافِرِين

Who, then, doth more wrong than one who utters a lie concerning Allah, and rejects the Truth when it comes to him; is there not in Hell an abode for blasphemers?

Quran 45:7

وَيْلٌ لِكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيم

Woe to each sinful dealer in Falsehoods

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #6:

Do not give false evidence

Quran 22:30

Quran 25:72

وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا

Those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honorable dignity

Quran 70:33

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَائِمُون

And those who stand firm in their testimonies;

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #7:

Refrain from Cheating

Quran 2:188

وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا بِهَا إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا فَرِيقًا مِنْ أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ بِالْإِثْمِ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُون

And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property

Quran 4:29

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنْكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا

O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful!

Quran 11:85

And O my people! give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.

Quran 26:183

وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِين

And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief.

Quran 55:9

وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَان

So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.

Quran 83:1-3

وَيْلٌ لِلْمُطَفِّفِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اكْتَالُوا عَلَى النَّاسِ يَسْتَوْفُونَ وَإِذَا كَالُوهُمْ أَوْ وَزَنُوهُمْ يُخْسِرُونَ

Woe to those that deal in fraud,-
Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure,
But when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due.

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #8:

Do Not Steal

Quran 5:38

وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُوا أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَاءً بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَالًا مِنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيم

As to the thief, Male or female( in consequence whereof and after due process) cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #9:

Do Not Give or Take Bribery

Quran 2:188

And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that you may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #10:

Return what you Borrow and protect what you are entrusted with

including Secrets

Quran3:75

وَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مَنْ إِنْ تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنْطَارٍ يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ إِنْ تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍ لَا يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَائِمًا ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ سَبِيلٌ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُون

Among the People of the Book are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless you constantly stood demanding, because, they say, "there is no call on us (to keep faith) with these ignorant (Pagans)." but they tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it.

Quran 4:58

Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; And when you judge between people, that you judge with justice: Verily how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! For Allah is He Who hears and sees all things.

Quran 8:27

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُون

O you that believe! betray not the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor misappropriate knowingly things entrusted to you.

Quran 23:8

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُون

Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants

Holy Quran: Code of Ethics #11:

Fulfill Your Covenants

Quran 2:177

لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُون

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your wealth, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the covenants which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or in suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of the truth and the God fearing.

Quran 3:76

بَلَىٰ مَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ وَاتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِين

Nay; It is those that fulfill their contracts and are conscious of Allah,-verily Allah loves those who are conscious of Him.

Quran 5:1

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ ۚ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُمْ بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنْتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيد

O you who believe! Fulfill all your contracts. It has been deemed lawful to you (for food) all four-footed grazing animals, with the exceptions named: But animals of the chase are forbidden while you are in the state of forbidden precincts or in pilgrim garb: for Allah does command according to His will and plan.

Quran 16:91

وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدْتُمْ وَلَا تَنْقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُون

Fulfill the Covenant of Allah when you have entered into it, and break not your oaths after you have confirmed them; indeed you have made Allah your Trustee; for Allah knows all that you do.

Quran 17:34

Come not near to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of maturity; and fulfill (every) covenant, for (every) covenant will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).

Quran 23:8

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ

Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;

The divine moral code is a natural consequence of being a believer, since it has been ordained and set up by our creator to shape up our characters. It has been designed to fit so to speak.

By following the code a person is headed in the right path. What it orders us to do is the right thing and what it orders us to avoid and shun doing is the wrong thing.

At every step of the way in one’s life time we face choices. At each juncture when we are to choose between right and wrong, we can either choose the right thing and be on the road to success or choose the wrong thing and be on the road to disaster and ruination. Making the right decision according to the divine code is of direct benefit. This is, after all, the yardstick that wisdom implies.

At every step of the way during everyone’s lifetime, when a person is confronted with a choice between a good clean act and an evil heinous act, one is commanded by God to choose the good and righteous act for one’s own self benefit and consequently for the benefit of the family, mankind and the world in general. It is really a win-win situation so to speak.