Have you ever thought about what the meaning of “morals” in Islam really is? Maybe the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word morals is an attitude of patience, honesty, or friendliness towards others. Many people think that as long as we behave well and do not hurt others, we already have noble morals. But, are morals just about being sweet in front of people? Or is there more to it? It turns out that in Islam, define moral goes beyond social judgment or how good we are in the eyes of others. So, let’s dig deeper into the true meaning of morals in Islam.
Misconceptions about Morals Chapter: Morals are not just being nice
Indeed, misunderstandings often arise regarding the understanding of morals in Islam. Morals are often considered simply a matter of personal or general ethics that can be measured in terms of culture, benefits, or feelings. For example, being honest is considered good because it can make other people trust us. Politeness is considered important because it can maintain relationships in society.
In fact, when we try to define moral within the framework of Islam, we find that it is not just a matter of good or bad according to humans or society. However, morals in Islam are part of Islamic law. Morals have laws, rules, even rewards or sins.
Therefore, morals in Islam cannot be understood only from human standards. Honesty is good not because it makes people happy, but because Allah ﷻ requires it.
On the other hand, lying may be done under certain conditions, such as when reconciling two people who are arguing. So, morals in Islam are not about “what seems good”, but about “what is commanded or prohibited by the Shari’a”.
Also read: Patience and Giving up: Two Different Concepts Often Misunderstood
What is Morality According to Islam?
After we know that morality in Islam is not just “good according to humans”, now let’s discuss: what exactly is morality according to Islam?
Linguistically, morality comes from the word khuluq (خُلُق) which means temperament, nature, or character. But in Islam, its meaning is deeper. When we define moral through the Islamic lens, we understand it as the nature that a person has when he does or leaves an act. This nature can be hasan (praiseworthy) or qabîh (despicable), and all of it must be measured based on sharia, not just human taste or logic.
So, morality according to Islam is not about how other people judge a person’s attitude in relation to them. However, morality is part of Islamic law that regulates human relations with themselves.
Also read: Let’s Muhasabah! Reflecting on One’s Shortcomings
Morals: Part of the Relationship with Oneself
Why are morals in Islam rules for oneself? Aren’t morals related to other people too?
Here’s how. In Islam, the Shari’a regulates three types of human relationships, which are divided into large, interrelated parts:
- Human relationships with Allah ﷻ, such as in matters of faith and worship (prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and the like).
- Human relationships with other humans, which include social rules such as economics, socializing, education, government, politics, sanctions, and the like.
- Human relationships with oneself, which include matters such as clothing, food, drink, and morals.
Well, morality in Islam is included in the third category. So even though it is often exemplified through attitudes towards others such as honesty, patience, and loving others, morality is basically how a person perfects his deeds as a servant of Allah ﷻ in relation to himself.
To define moral within this context, we must see it not merely as a social quality, but as a personal act of obedience to divine law. Morality reflects who he is when he chooses to obey or disobey the rules of Allah ﷻ. For example, he chooses to be honest not only so that others believe him, but because he knows that honesty is a commandment of the Shari’a. This means that even though honesty seems to have an impact on others, it is actually a form of personal responsibility in carrying out the laws of Allah ﷻ.
Another example, loving fellow human beings is included in good morals in Islam. But the motivation behind that love is not only because of empathy or culture, but because there is a drive for piety and awareness that loving creatures is a commandment from Allah ﷻ.
Therefore, when we define moral in Islam, it is not just a matter of social ethics or societal judgment, but part of the rules of life revealed by Allah ﷻ, which have legal consequences. There are morals that are obligatory (such as being honest), there are those that are sunnah (such as being humble), and there are even morals that are haram (such as being arrogant or betraying).
Rasulullah the messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ
“Indeed, I was sent to perfect noble morals.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
This hadith shows that morals in Islam are part of the teachings to build piety to Allah. It is an important part in the formation of a Muslim personality that is subject to the Shari’a.
Also read: Patience and Gratitude: Two Intertwined Principles
Morals Must Be Based on Sharia, Not Feelings
One thing that often makes people wrong is when people judge morals only from feelings or culture. For example, some say: “What’s important is that we are good, not hurting people.” But wait, where should the definition of good come from? If it’s only based on human taste, then it can vary. What is considered good by one society, can be considered mediocre or even bad by another society.
This is why it’s important to clearly define moral based on the Islamic standard. Islam comes with a clear and fixed standard: sharia. Morals in Islam do not depend on culture, customs, or personal logic, but are based on revelation from Allah ﷻ.
For example, being honest is good not because everyone agrees that being honest is good, but because being honest is a command from Allah ﷻ. On the other hand, lying is bad not because it makes people dislike it, but because lying is forbidden by Allah ﷻ.
In the Qur’an, Allah ﷻ says:
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ”“O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful.” (QS. At-Taubah: 119)
Also read: Responsibility as Professional Ethic for Muslims
Morals Are Part of Good Deeds, Not Complements
There are also those who consider morals to be just a “decoration” of worship. For example, people say: “The important thing is to pray first, morals will come later.” In fact, morals should also be part of good deeds, not just an addition.
Yes, it is true that prayer is important. But imagine if someone prays diligently, but likes to lie or is not trustworthy. It would be contradictory. In fact, Islam is not just a ritual worship, but a complete package of rules of life, including morals.
The Prophet ﷺ himself showed extraordinary morals in his daily life and that was not a bonus, but part of the prophetic mission. In one hadith it is stated:
خِيَارُكُمْ أَحْسَنُكُمْ أَخْلَاقًا
“The best of you are those with the best morals.” (Narrated by Bukhari)
This hadith emphasizes that a person’s position in the eyes of Islam is greatly influenced by his morals, not just the number of visible outward deeds.
Khatimah: Morals are a Reflection of Obedience
So, back to the initial question: What are morals according to Islam? Or to put it differently, how do we define moral in the Islamic context?
The answer: Morals in Islam are part of Islamic law that regulates human relations with themselves, although they often appear to be related to others. Morals are not just social attitudes, but a reflection of our obedience to Allah ﷻ in terms of choosing attitudes, behaviors, and how to behave every day.
We must measure morals by Islamic standards, not culture, not habits, and not “what people say”. Because only by following the law can we have noble morals that truly bring us closer to the pleasure of Allah ﷻ.
And as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded us:
إِنَّ مِنْ أَحَبِّكُمْ إِلَيَّ وَأَقْرَبِكُمْ مِنِّي مَجْلِسًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَحَاسِنَكُمْ أَخْلَاقًا
“Indeed, the person I love most and closest to me will sit on the Day of Judgment the best in morals among you.” (HR. Tirmidhi)
MashaAllah… who doesn’t want to be close to Rasulullah ﷺ in the afterlife?
Hopefully we all get the best position by the side of the Prophet ﷺ in heaven later. Aamiin ya robbal’alamin.
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References:
Al-Qur’an Al-Karim https://tafsirweb.com
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/bukhari
Muslim, Abu al-Husain. Sahih Muslim. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim.
Tirmidhi, Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa. Sunan At-Tirmidhi. Accessed from https://www.hadits.id/hadits/
Ahmad bin Hanbal. Musnad Ahmad. Beirut: Al-Resaya, 1999.
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. Nizhamul Islam. Beirut: Darul Ummah.
An-Nabhani, Taqiyuddin. Ash-Shakhshiyyah Al-Islamiyyah. Bairut: Darul Ummah