An Introduction to the Islamic

Perspective on Ethics
Dr. Muhammad Tahir
Assistant Professor/ HOD Islamic Studies
Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
drtahir79@gmail.com
mohd.tahir@riphah.edu.pk
Mobile: 0300-7941178
 Session Objectives
• To define and introduce the term “ethics” in
Islamic perspective
• To distinguish the terms “ethics” and “etiquette”
• To understand the origin and sources of Islamic
ethics and morality
• To highlight the distinctive features of Islamic
Morality System/Order
• To differentiate between Islamic paradigm and
Eastern/Western paradigm for ethics
 Definition of Ethics in Islam
In Islam, the word khuluq (pl. akhlāq) and adāb
(adaāb) referred to “ethics and morals”. The
Arabic word khuluq is translated into English as
“character” and “moral”; whereas akhlāq pl. as
“morals”, “ethics”, and “manners” (Baalbaki,
1995). According to Hans Wehr dictionary, the
word aḵlāq pl. means “characters” (of a person),
and “morals” (Cowan, 1976). Akhlāq also termed
as “moral values” (Saleh, 2002).
 Definition of Ethics in Islam
The word “akhlāq (ethics)” shows the “moral
philosophy” whereas “adāb (etiquette,
morality)” indicates the “actual practices of the
moral philosophy”. Therefore, “akhlāq”
addresses “theoretical aspects of human
conducts” whereas “adāb” emphasis on
“actions and manners” (Hashi, 2011).
 Purpose of Islamic Ethics
• Seeking the Pleasure of Allah Almighty, who is the
creator of this universe, All-Knowing, and provided the code of
life through Divine sources. The central objective should be of
soliciting the pleasures and blessings of Allah in the Hereafter.
This is main standard to judge mode of conduct.
• Obedience of Allah’s Commandments and the
Prophetic (PBUH) model for attaining the peak of Islamic
conduct.
• The consciousness of accountability and preparation
for assessment on the Day of Judgment, where the
complete and accurate record of human’s actions from the
tiniest speck of dust to the loftiest mountain will be given.
• Motivation for eternal bliss and reward (Paradise).
(Maududi, Ethical Viewpoint of Islam)
 Islamic Sources (Means) Ethics
• The Qur’an and the Sunnah are primary
divine sources for ethics and morality
in Islam.
• The Qur’an states “Then He showed
him what is wrong for him what is
right for him” (Qur’an, 91: 8).
Furthermore, the Qur’an declares that
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) you have a good
example to follow” (Qur’an, 33: 21).
 Islamic Sources (Means) Ethics
• The Qur’an is defined as: “Allah’s speech, as
revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (‫)ﷺ‬,
its wording is miraculous in nature; to recite it is an
act of worship; it is that which is written in Al-
Masaahif (written copies of the Qur’an), and is
related in Mutawaatir form [the Continuous form]”.
• The word Sunnah implies “the doings and
practices of Rasulullah (‫)ﷺ‬.” The Sunnah
is the actual embodiment [picture, example] of the
will of Allah, shown in the actions of Rasulullah
(‫)ﷺ‬. The Sunnah is what was practiced by
Rasulullah (‫ )ﷺ‬and the Hadith is the record
of what was said and practiced by Rasulullah
(‫)ﷺ‬.
 Distinctive Features of Islamic
Ethical/ Moral System
• By setting the Divine pleasure as the objective of
human’s life, it has flourished the highest possible
standard of morality.
• It does not provide any novel moral virtues nor does it
seeks to minimize the importance of the well-known
moral norms nor does it gives exaggerated importance
to some and neglect others without cause.
• It stipulates for man a system of life which is based on
all good and is free from all evil.
1. The Empiricist Paradigm of Ethics/Values
Norms,
Values, Laws

Social
Constructs

Local
Customs

Ethical Model developed by Professor Anis 2020

2. The Nature of Divine Ethics/Values

Divine Guidance
Divine guidance from beyond
& Wahi guides through wahi
(revelation) in an objective
manner and not in a
Universal Values subjective, intuitive, mystical,
purely rational or personal
judgmental way.
Social Customs
and Behavior

Ethical Model developed by Professor Anis 2020