Editorial | Friday Special: Ethical Values!

In some way or another, all human societies appreciate desirable qualities and virtues. People begin to dispute what is excellent in real-life settings and after further reflection. Some people value mercy over justice, while others value justice over mercy. Some preach forgiveness and pacifism to everyone, including (or especially) the powerful. Others fight for equality even if it means sacrificing freedom, or vice versa. Others would rather have a choice than live. Others stand by the maximizing of measurable happiness premise.The questions of reason, logic and reality often tussle over ethics and morality. Islam not only respects reason, but it also demands that we develop a reasonable knowledge of appropriate behaviour as part of its overall guidance. The Prophet peace be upon him in his remarkable statement boils down his mission. “I have been sent only to perfect noble traits of character.”(Hadith) The standard set by the Almighty is the ultimate destination of right or wrong and good or bad. He mentions in the Quran, “He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them from that which is wrong, making lawful for them all good things and prohibiting for them only the foul; relieving them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honor him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him, they are the successful ones. (7:157). In the Quran,over 200 times comes the direction  to “perform good actions. “Allah does not limit ‘good works’ to the performance of a set of precise laws or worship ceremonies.The Quran and Sunnahthus makes it clear that we are encouraged to be good to everyone in every way, to conduct good actions for the sake of God without expecting thanks or worldly recompense. This epitomizes the ultimate standard of ethical values.