The real criteria of morals From the Islamic point of view the true criteria of morals are two: (a) Regard for mans dignity; and (b) Seeking nearness to Allah. (a) Mans Dignity The holy Prophet is reported to have said that he was sent to perfect the dignity and honor of man. According to another tradition, Imam al Sadiq (P) has said: Allah, the Almighty endowed the holy Prophets with noble qualities. Anybody who is blessed with these qualities, should be thankful to Allah; and anybody who does not possess them should pray that he may be endowed with them. The narrator of this tradition says that he asked the Imam what those qualities were. He said: Piety, contentment; tolerance, gratitude, patience, munificence, bravery, self‑respect, moral rectitude, truthfulness and honesty. Self‑respect means that while working for his well‑being and the fulfillment of his desires, man should regard the acts which humiliate him and lower his position, as inconsistent with his human dignity and consider those acts which develop his spiritual personality and enhance his position, to be a matter of pride. For example everyone knows that an envious and begrudging person only mortifies and humiliates himself. A begrudging person cannot bear the progress and prosperity of others. He repines at their achievements. His only reaction is to do his utmost to cause damage to others and upset their plans. He does not feel contented unless others are also deprived of their good fortune and become like him. Everyone knows that to have such feelings is sheer meanness. A person who cannot tolerate the success of others is a worthless fellow and has no personality. The same is true of stinginess. A stingy person is so enamored of his wealth that he is not willing to part with it and spend it even for his own welfare or the welfare of his family. He does not spend money for any charitable purpose. Obviously such a man is a captive of his wealth. He finds himself degraded in his own eyes. Thus we find that the feelings of self‑respect and self consciousness are true human feelings. We feel elated when we perform any such act as charity, tolerance, chastity, perseverance etc. There are other acts such as lying, hypocrisy, flattery, jealousy and stinginess. When we commit any of them, we feel humiliated. This is our inner feeling and it is not subject to any teaching or the customs and habits prevailing in our particular society. Islam has severely denounced such qualities, and strictly forbids their cultivation. Certain qualities like tolerance and self‑sacrifice are matters of honor and the signs of large‑heartedness and greatness of soul. A person ready to make sacrifice exercises such a control over him or her self and is characterized with such a personality that that person foregoes their own interests for the sake of others and for securing a desired objective. Humility in the sense of respecting others and recognizing their worth and not in the sense of self‑effacement or submission to force, is also a noble quality and a matter of human dignity. This quality is possessed by those who are of exercising self‑control, are not self‑centered and realistically recognize the good points of others and respect them. These qualities, which form the basis of lofty character, are a part of high Islamic morals. We have innumerable specimens of these qualities and it is possible that all ethical questions may be regarded more or less as being related to human dignity. That is why the great Prophet of Islam, summing up his ethical mission, has described it as perfection of noble characteristics of mankind. From Islamic Philosophy by Martyr Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Husayni Beheshti. May Allah Be Pleased With Him
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:38:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015