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Islam: Pure and Simple (Part #5)
 

A Universal Message to Mankind

Abdullatif ALJIBURY PH.D.

Danville. CA USA

 

ISLAMIC CODE OF ETHICS:

The code of ethics in Islam is Divine, which is either directly mentioned in the Quran or inspired and practiced by the prophet Muhammad. The Islamic code does not change and is for all times, i.e. it is time independent and humanly attainable. The following ethical principles are in addition to and are inclusive of the Ten Commandments, which have not be abrogated by the Quran,

You shall not murder

You shall not commit adultery

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The followings constitute the rest of the Islamic code of ethics

 

  1. Be kind, considerate and obedient to parents. (Holy Quran 2:83, 2:215, 4:36, 6:151, 17:23-24, 29:8, 31:14-15, 46:15)

  2. Take care of your kinsfolk, family and relatives. (Holy Quran 2:83, 2:177, 2:215, 4:8, 4:36, 16:90, 17:26, 24:22, 30:38, 59:7, 66:6)

  3. Take care for the orphans and help them build their assets. (Holy Quran 2:83, 2:177, 2:215, 4:8, 4:36, 6:152, 17:34, 59:7, 76:8, 89:17, 90:15, 93:9 596, 107:2)

  4. Be kind and helpful to the weak and needy. (Holy Quran 2:83, 2:177, 2:215, 4:8, 4:36, 9:60, 17:26, 24:22, 30:38, 59:7, 69:34, 70:24-25, 74:44, 76:8, 89:18, 90:16, 93:10 596, 107:3)

  5. Be good to your neighbors. (Holy Quran 4:36)

  6. Be kind and helpful to the wayfarer. (Holy Quran 2:177, 2:215, 4:36, 9:60, 17:26, 30:38, 59:7)

  7. Be kind and helpful to prisoners of war. (Holy Quran 76:8)

  8. Be good and kind to others. (Holy Quran 2:82, 16:90, 16:128, 28:77, 95:6, 103:3)

  9. Respect teachers. (Holy Quran 39:9, 58:11)

  10. Maintain a pleasant relationship with your spouse. (Holy Quran 4:19, 30:21)

  11. Be patient and constant with whatever happens to you. (Holy Quran 2:45, 2:153, 2:155-156, 2:177, 3:200, 8:46, 11:115, 29:59, 31:17, 70:5, 103:3)

  12. Be truthful even if a near relative is concerned. (Holy Quran 4:135, 6:152, 103:3)

  13. Do not conceal the truth. (Holy Quran 2:42)

  14. Do not lie. (Holy Quran 22:30, 39:32, 45:7)

  15. Do not give false evidence. (Holy Quran 22:30, 25:72, 70:33)

  16. Maintain justice, even if against yourself or a relative. (Holy Quran 4:58, 4:135, 5:8, 6:151, 11:85, 11:113, 16:90, 26:182, 55:9)

  17. Be honest, trustworthy and just in dealing with others. (Holy Quran 6:152, 11:85, 17:34, 26:181-183, 55:9)

  18. Return what you borrow and protect what you are entrusted with including secrets. (Holy Quran 3:75-76, 4:58, 8:27, 23:8, 70:32)

  19. Fulfill your covenants (promises and contracts). (Holy Quran 2:177, 3:76-77, 5:1, 16:91, 17:34, 23:8, 70:32)

  20. Refrain from cheating. (Holy Quran 2:188, 4:29, 11:85, 26:183, 55:9, 83:1-3)

  21. Do not steal. (Holy Quran 5:38)

  22. Do not give or take bribery. (Holy Quran 2:188)

  23. Be humble, modest and not arrogant; do not boast. (Holy Quran 4:36, 17:37, 28:83, 31:18-19, 57:23)

  24. Do not slander and defame. (Holy Quran 104:1)

  25. Abstain from mockery, ridiculing others and calling them names. (Holy Quran 49:11)

  26. Do not backbite or talk about people behind their backs. (Holy Quran 49:12, 104:1)

  27. Avoid suspicion. (Holy Quran 49:12)

  28. Do not spy on others. (Holy Quran 49:12)

  29. Abstain from hypocrisy; be genuine with yourself and in dealing with others. (Holy Quran 2:204, 2:284, 3:29, 3:119, 5:7, 9:73, 27:25, 27:74, 28:69, 29:10, 40:19, 61:2-3, 64:4, 67:13)

  30. Practice what you preach. (Holy Quran 2:44, 61:2-3)

  31. Shun jealousy. (Holy Quran 4:32, 4:54, 113:5)

  32. Be content and thankful with what you have. (Holy Quran 2:152, 2:172, 14:7, 16:114, 93:11)

  33. Avoid greed and hoarding. (Holy Quran 89:19-20, 102:1, 104:2-3)

  34. Control your anger. (Holy Quran 3:134)

  35. Do not curse or blaspheme. (Holy Quran 49:11)

  36. Do not raise your voice. (Holy Quran 31:19)

  37. Avoid useless talk and chatter. (Holy Quran 23:3, 25:72)

  38. Be congenial and kind in your speech. (Holy Quran 2:83, 2:263, 16:125, 17:53)

  39. Greet pleasantly and return salutations with better or equal ones. (Holy Quran 4:86, 6:54, 24:61)

  40. Forgive and reconcile. (Holy Quran 3:134, 7:199, 15:85, 23:96, 24:22, 41:34, 42:37, 42:40, 42:43, 64:14)

  41. Do not instigate tumult and disorder. (Holy Quran 2:191, 2:217)

  42. Avoid aggression and incline towards peace. (Holy Quran 2:190, 5:87, 7:55, 8:61, 60:7-8)

  43. Foster brotherhood and unity with other Muslims. (Holy Quran 3:103, 21:92, 23:52, 49:10, 49:13)

  44. Conduct public affairs by mutual consultation. (Holy Quran 3:159, 42:38)

  45. Eschew racism and bigotry; treat all races equally. (Holy Quran 2:179, 5:48, 7:189, 39:6, 49:11, 49:13)

  46. Keep good relations with people of the book (Christians and Jews). (Holy Quran 2:62, 2:136, 2:285, 3:64, 3:113-115, 3:199, 5:69, 29:46)

  47. Keep good relations with people of other faiths; there is no compulsion in religion. (Holy Quran 2:256, 4:94, 4:164, 6:108, 10:47, 10:99, 11:118, 14:4, 16:36, 16:125, 22:67, 40:78, 42:15, 60:7-8, 109:6)

  48. Be kind to and improve the environment. (Holy Quran 7:56, 29:36)

  49. Be kind to animals. (Holy Koran 6:38, 24:41-42)

  50. Be charitable and giving. (Holy Quran 2:3, 2:195, 2:245, 2:254, 2:261, 2:272-274, 3:92, 3:134, 8:3, 57:7, 57:10-11, 64:16, 92:5-7, 92:18)

  51. Be discrete and kind and do not seek worldly rewards for charity and good deeds. (Holy Quran 2:262-264, 2:271, 2:273, 76:8-10)

  52. Be moderate in your generosity. (Holy Quran 17:29, 25:67)

  53. Do not be niggardly and miserly. (Holy Quran 3:180, 17:29, 25:67, 47:38, 57:24, 64:16, 92:8-10)

  54. Avoid extravagance and wastefulness. (Holy Quran 6:141, 7:31, 17:26-27, 17:29, 25:67)

  55. Be moderate in your actions and avoid extremes. (Holy Quran 2:143)

  56. Enjoin and encourage good deeds. (Holy Quran 3:104, 3:110, 5:2, 9:71, 22:41, 31:17)

  57. Discourage bad deeds. (Holy Quran 3:104, 3:110, 9:71, 22:41, 31:17)

  58. Compete in and hasten to good deeds and do not delay them. (Holy Quran 2:148, 5:48, 23:61, 57:21, 83:26)

  59. Do not kill. (Holy Quran 4:92-93, 5:32, 6:151, 17:33, 25:68)

  60. Save lives. (Holy Quran 5:32)

  61. Do not harm or kill yourself. (Holy Quran 2:195, 4:29)

  62. Stay clean in body and spirit. (Holy Quran 2:222, 74:4-5)

  63. Practice chastity and purity. (Holy Quran 23:5, 24:30-31, 24:60, 33:33, 33:35, 33:53, 70:29)

  64. Lower your gaze. (Holy Quran 24:30-31)

  65. Be modest in your dress. (Holy Quran 7:26, 24:30-31, 24:60, 33:33, 33:53, 33:59)

  66. Do not engage in sexual acts outside of marriage. (Holy Quran 17:32, 24:2, 25:68)

  67. Avoid homosexual acts. (Holy Quran 5:90, 7:80-81, 27:54-55)

  68. Avoid fortune telling. (Holy Quran 5:90)

  69. Do not drink alcohol. (Holy Quran 2:219, 4:43, 5:90-91)

  70. Do not take drugs or other intoxicants. (Holy Quran 2:195)

  71. Do not gamble. (Holy Quran 2:219, 5:90-91).

  72. Refrain from usury. (Holy Quran 2:275-278, 3:130).

  73. Seek and respect knowledge and wisdom. (Holy Quran 12:76, 17:36, 20:114, 35:28, 39:9, 58:11)

  74. Do not argue about what you have no knowledge of and verify news before conversing. (Holy Quran 17:36, 49:6)

  75. Accept responsibility for your actions. (Holy Quran 6:164, 13:11, 17:15, 35:18, 39:7, 41:46, 53:38-41)

  76. Choose good friends. (Holy Quran 9:119)

  77. Work and earn a living. (Holy Quran 2:168, 16:92, 28.77, 62:10)

  78. Be prompt and punctual. (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions.)

  79. Wish others as you wish for yourself. (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions.)

  80. Love, teach and befriend children. (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions.)

  81. Be kind and helpful to the elderly. (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions.)

  82. Love your brother (human) as you like to be loved. (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings and actions.)

  83. Lend a helping hand at home. (Prophet Muhammad’s tradition.)

  84. Complete your work with competence. (Prophet Muhammad’s tradition.)

 

CONCLUDING REMARKS

It is clear that what we discern from the above discourse about Islam is that it is a religion which teaches its followers virtue, righteousness and awareness to address the spiritual and physical needs of the individual and the society with the right balance and without extremes. Islam's name is peace. It sets the mind of its followers at peace. Islam shuns extremism. In fact, Islam admonishes its followers to be people of the middle. In a nutshell, Islam is a set of beliefs and practices that are readily applicable and available to all individuals without the need for an intermediary. All it takes is the ability to read and understand the Quran and Sunnah and apply them to one’s daily life. 

Islam answers the ever-challenging questions as to why we are created, for what purpose, and what we can do to be successful. The Muslim's spirit, soul and body demands are satisfied as soon as the Muslim realizes that these demands are all in balance and each is given its due. This is to be expected, for they are all part of God's creation where everything serves a purpose and is in perfect balance.

Thus God has graciously defined for us the good and the bad, the virtuous and the evil acts. They are presented to us for our own benefit as well as for the benefit of society and the World at large. It is up to us to take the challenge, which is not beyond the realm of the possible. The reward awaiting us is tremendous. 

The lasting impression that peaceful Islam would leave with the fair minded, if we are to summarize, is that after believing in God, the one and only, it is with our actions, to improve ourselves and the society as well as the world which we live in, that we will be finally judged.


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