Basic HTML Version
no knowledge (idle and useless curiosity); for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of
(feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). Nor walk on
the earth with arrogance; for you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor reach the
mountains in height. Of all such things evil is hateful in the sight of your Lord. These
are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which your Lord has revealed to you. Take not,
with God, another object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell,
blameworthy and rejected (17:22-39).
We bestowed wisdom on Luqman: ‘ Show your gratitude to God’ . Any who is
grateful does so to the profit of his own soul. But if any are ungrateful, verily God is
free of all needs, worthy of all praise … ..And We have enjoined on man (to be good)
to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was
his weaning. (hear the command), show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is
your final Goal. But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of
which you have no knowledge (or do any wrong), obey them not; yet bear them
company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who
turn to Me (in love). In the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the
truth (and meaning) of all that you did … … O my Son! (said Luqman): Establish
regular prayer, enjoin what is just (and right) and forbid what is wrong; and bear with
patient constancy whatever betide you; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the
conduct of) affairs. And swell not your cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence
through the earth; for God loves not any arrogant boaster. And be moderate in your
pace, and lower your voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of
the ass (31:12-19)
O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling . . . are an abomination, of Satan’ s
handiwork. Avoid such (abomination), so that you may prosper. Satan’ s plan is only
to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder
you from the rememberance of God and from prayer. Will you not then abstain?
(5:90-91).
But seek, with that which God has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter. Nor
forget your portion in this world. But you do good, as God has been good to you, and
seek not mischief in the land; for God Loves not the mischief makers (28:77).
These selections can be supported by many others from the Qur’ an and the
Traditions of Muhammad. In themselves they are sufficient to portray the
fundamental morals of Islam. These Islamic morals are unique in their nature under
all circumstances. They are introduced by God not simply to be admired occasionally
but to be enforced and effective. They are meant to help the individual to develop his
personality and cultivate his character in the most wholesome manner, to strengthen
his bonds and consolidate his association with God, the Source of all Goodness.
Never were the Islamic morals designed to intimidate the individual and make him
passive or indifferent. One example will illustrate the point. If a Muslim is wronged or
oppressed, he has the free choice either to resist and retaliate in an equal measure or to
forgive and entrust God with the results of his deed. He knows that he is authorized to
take either action, and he equally knows that it is better for him to forgive. So when
he forgives, he does so with his own free choice for the love of God. Similarly, when
he retaliates he is not violating the Law or acting unjustly; he is defending his rights,
an attitude which is a sacred duty in itself, and is helping the rightful authorities to
37
www.islamicbulletin.com