The post:
This clip explains the place of morals in religious texts and the considerable attention given to them, in contrast to their practical neglect today and the exclusive focus on outward appearance in religious teaching, although the purpose of the message is morality.
Comment:
1. Islam’s concern for morals draws attention to the implications of sound belief in God and the Last Day. This is very clear in the connection made between belief in God and the Last Day and many forms of ethical conduct praised by the texts, such as honouring guests and treating neighbours well. Sound creed, encompassing awareness of God in private and public, obedience to Him and drawing near to Him, calls for good character and dealing with people as Islamic law prescribes. Unfortunately, much of people’s conduct actually springs from a worldly, utilitarian outlook that treats ethical dealings as an exchange and follows personal inclinations under the name of conscience. In reality, this means acting with regard to society’s view and fear of people’s blame and condemnation.
2. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “God says: ‘The son of Adam insults Me, though he ought not to insult Me, and denies Me, though he ought not to do so. His insult is his statement that I have a child. His denial is his statement that I will not bring him back as I first created him.’” Al-Bukhari (3193). He also said: “God, mighty and exalted, says: ‘The son of Adam offends Me by cursing time, while I am time: the command is in My hand, and I alternate night and day.’” Al-Bukhari (4826).
Reflecting on these two hadiths and others shows that God regards these unbelieving beliefs and expressions, attributing a child to Him, denying resurrection and cursing time in the belief that it controls changing circumstances, as offence, insult and abuse against Him. Exalted is He above every defect and evil. Many people rightly consider those who behave this way towards other created beings ill-mannered. Yet it does not occur to them that these beliefs about the Creator are among the worst forms of bad conduct, unforgiven for someone who dies holding them. This confirms a defect in many people’s understanding of morals, restricting them to dealings between created beings. Those who lament Muslims’ bad character, or say that most Qur’anic verses discuss morals connected to creed, should explain this point and clarify this issue. Otherwise priorities become confused, producing excess in interpersonal ethics and placing them before conduct towards the Creator, which is the foremost moral duty and desired aim that a Muslim must embody. In this light we understand the Prophet’s words: “I was sent only to complete righteous character.” He was sent to reform religion and worldly life, but at differing levels of priority that a religious teacher must attend to and not neglect.
3. The post says the message’s purpose is correcting morals. This is valid in the context just explained. Otherwise, the purpose of the messages is clearly stated in several Qur’anic texts: the primary aim is monotheism and worshipping God alone, reminding people of resurrection and the Last Day, obeying His commands and refraining from what He prohibits and forbids. The Center for Studies in the Interpretation of Islam was established precisely to explain this great foundation.
4. The primary focus should be devotion, awareness of God and correction of belief, connecting people’s dealings with one another to this. Correcting their morals will necessarily follow. If the order is reversed, interpersonal ethics contain nothing that calls to correct creed, although creed is the intended objective. Any fault in a Muslim’s dealings with others arises only from something contrary to the requirements of the sound creed they hold. God knows best.
For more, see:
Was worship prescribed to protect souls from aggression, oppression and injustice?
Amr Khaled and the wisdom of creation
Succession on earth means developing the earth
People’s positions on the benefit and wisdom of worship
Prostration and clear thinking