The concept of ethics in Islam encompasses various dimensions, including character development, spiritual and moral training, and intellectual enhancement. It emphasizes obeying the teachings and lives of the Prophets, understanding and reciting the Al-Quran, and fostering a close relationship with Allah.
Therefore, lacking in good morals = Lacking in faith (iman)
Good morals are conditions of validity of Iman
Subtopic
The level of faith (iman) is proportional to the level of morals
"Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Another narration adds the words: "Even if he observes Saum (fasts), performs Salat (prayer) and claims to be a Muslim.
“Iman has over sixty branches (parts): the highest of which is the belief that nothing deserves to be worshipped except Allah and the lowest of which is the removal from the way of that which might cause harm to anyone. And modesty (haya’ الحياء) is a branch of it.” (hadith)
Structural of Islamic Ethics
Practical training and the application of morality.
Enjoining & forbidding as a means
Devine religion as a source
Reform of self
Moral training and its enhancement
Companionship of God
Setting up as a model
Social change & social training
Academic / Intellectual training
Sensitivity & conciouseness
Thought for life after death
Improving relationship with Allah
Spiritual training and its enhancement
Obeying and practicing life of the Prophets
Reciting and understanding Alquran
To be closed to Allah
Ethics in Islam
Morality as the spirit of Islam
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hand…” (hadith, al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “I have been sent (as the Messenger of Allah) only for the purpose of perfecting good morals.” (hadith, al-Bukhari)
Good relationship with Allah in its spiritual sense.
Good relationship among human beings = good morality
Islamic Ethics / ‘ilm al-Akhlāq/ al-Akhlāq
Al-Ghazali calls ethics, the science of the path of the Hereafter (‘ilm tariq al-akhirah), or the path trodden by the prophets and righteous ancestors (al-Salaf al-Salih).
The proper signification of khuluq is the moral character; or the fashion of the inner man; his mind or soul and its peculiar qualities and attributes.
al-Akhlāq (the plural of khuluq/ خُلُق) refers to morality, which means a nature, or an innate disposition or temperament.
Ethics in Arabic is ‘ilm al-Akhlāq (science of morality), which is the branch of knowledge that studies akhlaq (morals).
Ethics by technically means:
The values or rules of conduct held by an individual or a group
The field of study that has morality as its subject matter.