THE CONCEPTS OF ETHICS
DEFINITION
Ethics
Literally
ancient Greek: ethos, means
character
Technically
the branch of philosophy dealing with
values relating to human conduct, with
respect to the rightness and wrongness
of actions
Morality
Latin :‘moralis’ ‘mores’, custom, the traditional norm of a people
ETHICS IN ISLAM
Known as
'ilm al-akhlāq
science of morality
branch of knowledge
studies akhlāq (morals)
from word khuluq
character
‘inner disposition’ of the soul
the spiritual constitution of man
Al-akhlak/ethics
according to Abdul Qadir al-Jurjani
a deep state of the self produces acts, behavior with ease with no need of sophisticate thinking and reflection
Al-Ghazali
the science of the path of the Hereafter (ilm tariq al-akhirah) or path trodden by the prophets and righteous ancestors (al-Salaf al-Salih).
science of practical religion (‘ilm al-mu‘amalah).
“the study of certain religious beliefs (i‘tiqadat) and of rightness and wrongness of action for the purpose of practice and not for the sake of mere knowledge.”
character is an established state (of the soul) from which actions proceed easily without any need for reflection or deliberation
IMPORTANT OF ETHICS
The spirit of Islam
pure worship (‘ibadat) is for moral purposes
al-Hajj
al-Siyam
al-Salah
al-Zakah
What is Islam?
Good relationship among human beings = good morality
Good relationship with Allah in its spiritual sense
Validation and authentication of Iman
Benefits
Social
Good leadership
harmonious society
Strong & peaceful family life
Building good reputation
Wining hearts of people
Spiritual
Good morals eliminate sins
The dearest one to Allah
Good morals = voluntary worship
Good morals are conditions of validity of Iman
The level of faith (iman) is proportional to the level of morals
Definition of Iman
FIELD OF ETHICS
Normative
Seek to set
norms
standards
Metaethics
Systematically studies the meanings
ethical terms
judgments
Applied
Application of normative theories to practical moral
issues
problem
Example
Obedience to parents
Right to life
Justice
Cooperation
STRUCTURE OF ISLAMIC ETHICS
Spiritual training
Academic / Intellectual training
Moral training
Practical training