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morality

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Morality

  • Morality is the plural of the word ‘khulq’ or ‘khuluq’ in Arabic, which means ‘character, nature, or temperament’. ‘Khalq’ is used for the physical dimension and ‘khulq’ for the spiritual dimension of a person. In Islamic sources, especially in hadiths, the terms khulq and akhlaq (morality) are generally used to express good and bad habits, virtues and vices. especially good habits and virtuous behaviors are expressed with the terms such as, ‘husnu’l-khuluq’ (good conduct), ‘mahasinu’l-akhlaq’ (fine morals), ‘makarimu’l-akhlaq’ (high morality), ‘al-akhlaqu’l-hasana’ (good manners), ‘al-akhlaqu’l-hamida’ (praiseworthy character), and bad habits and actions are called as ‘suu’l- khuluq’ (misconduct), ‘al-akhlaqu’z-zamima’ (bad morals), ‘al-akhlaku’s-sayyia’ (evil manners).”1)
  • “The most perfect of believers in terms of faith is the one with the best manners. Those who have the best manners among you are those who treat their women best.”2)
  • “A man can ‘cross’ with good conduct the ‘distances’ which he cannot with acts of worship and adoration.”3)
  • “The first virtue to be weighed in the Balance (in the other world) is good conduct.”4)
  • “Since its appearance on the Earth, humanity has found true peace and happiness in the warm atmosphere of religion. As it is not possible to mention about morality and virtue of a place where religion is absent, happiness is out of question in such a place, as well; since, conscious is the source of morality and virtue. Religion is what makes one’s conscience good and clear, for it is a connection between humanity and God.”5)
  • “Just because you are a learned one does not mean that you are truly human. Learned people are freed from carrying the burden of superfluous information and attain greatness to the extent that they serve humanity and set a good example for others through their high morals and virtues. Otherwise, they are no more than people who have wasted their lives. Those with high morals and virtues, even if they lack learning and as dense as iron, may sometimes prove to be a useful and valuable, and even as good as gold.”6)
  • Morals are a set of noble principles that originate in high spirituality and govern human conduct. For this reason, people who neglect spirituality, and are therefore lacking in spiritual values, cannot sustain conduct in accordance with these principles.”7)
  • “Seek distinction through Divine values (morality) and turn toward the All-Mighty with humility, recognizing your impotence and insufficiency, and be a servant in His presence.”8)
  • “… as both friends and foes agree, the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, had all good morals or virtues to the highest degree; and since, as is unanimously agreed, he is the most distinguished and excellent member of humanity.”9)
  • “… the environment has an effect on people’s morality.”10)
  • “If people exploit their spiritual faculties to satisfy their sensual and worldly desires and live in this world as if they will stay here forever, those faculties will lead to immoral qualities and cause much waste. But if people use them to prosper in the Hereafter, without neglecting life’s essential needs, these faculties will lead to laudable moral qualities and happiness in either world in accordance with wisdom and truth.”11)

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Footnotes

1)
Mustafa Çağrıcı, “Ahlâk” maddesi, Diyanet İslam Ansiklopedisi, İstanbul, TDV, 1989, 1/10.
2)
Abu Dawud, Sunnah, 15; Tirmidhi, Rada, 11; Darimi, Riqaq, 74.
3)
At-Tabarani, Al-Mujamu’l-Kabir, 1/260; Daylami, Al-Musnad, 1/197.
4)
Ibn Abi Shayba, Al-Musannaf, 5/212.
5)
M. Fethullah Gülen, Pearls of Wisdom, New Jersey: Tughra Books, 2013, p. 8.
6) , 7)
Ibid., p. 24.
8)
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, The Words, New Jersey: The Light, 2013, p. 560.
9)
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, The Gleams, New Jersey: Tughra Books, 2013, p. 77.
10)
Ibid., p. 279.
11)
Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, The Letters, New Jersey: The Light, 2014, p. 53.
morality.txt · Last modified: 2022/10/15 19:04 by Editor