Moral Values in Islam
By: Mohammad Taukir Rahmani
Subeditor: Eastern Crescent
Moral values in Islam are the sacred principles that elevate the individual, regulate society, and preserve the balance of human destiny. But what are these principles? And how do they work simultaneously within the human soul, the social fabric, and the broader destiny of mankind? Let us break them down and explore their secret.
Islam is not merely the name of rituals and formal observances; it is a complete, disciplined way of life that guides a human being from cradle to grave. Everything Islam has ordained is transparent, logical, and naturally appealing to the human heart. Life itself is another name for nature (fitrah), and Islam is the other name for nature. This means that Islamic principles are in perfect harmony with the innate constitution of man—if he chooses to grasp them.
The Qur’an has summarized these sacred principles in two comprehensive foundations:
Faith (Īmān and I‘tiqād)
Righteous Deeds (A‘māl Ṣāliḥah)
As highlighted in Sūrah al-‘Asr, human salvation rests upon this dual structure.
- Faith (Īmān)
Īmān means to believe in One God, Allah, His Angels, His Messengers, His Books, the Day of Judgment, Divine Decree, and life after death.
Man was created from nothing. Allah, out of His infinite mercy, sent down guidance through His messengers, conveyed by angels. This guidance is the divine manifesto for human life. According to it, man is expected to live in obedience to God, and on the Day of Resurrection, he will be held accountable for his adherence or negligence.
The foundation of good deeds rests upon faith. Without īmān, no deed can have sincerity, purity of intention, or acceptance before God. A deed divorced from īmān may be outwardly beneficial, but it lacks the spiritual depth that connects it to eternity.
- Righteous Deeds
Righteous deeds in Islam revolve around three central domains:
‘Ibādāt (Worship)
Mu‘āmalāt (Dealings and Transactions)
Akhlaqiyyāt (Moral Values and Character)
(a) Worship (‘Ibādāt):
These are the acts performed solely for the pleasure of Allah, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. Worship not only honors God’s greatness but also cultivates humility, discipline, and spiritual refinement within the worshipper.
(b) Dealings (Mu‘āmalāt):
These encompass the mutual dealings of human beings—occupations, professions, contracts, and the socio-political structures of communities and nations. Islam insists on justice, transparency, and honesty in these dealings. When implemented, peace prevails, oppression is eliminated, and justice is established as the governing force of society.
(c) Moral Values (Akhlaqiyyāt):
These are the subtle yet essential dimensions of life. They refer to the rights and responsibilities that may not be enforced by constitutions but are indispensable for spiritual elevation and social harmony—truthfulness, humility, patience, forgiveness, generosity, and compassion. These values bind together the inner and outer lives of people, producing a prosperous and progressive society.
How Moral Values Operate at Three Levels
Elevation of the Individual:
Moral values refine the character and purify the heart. Honesty prevents a person from deceiving others and himself; patience equips him to endure trials without despair; gratitude trains him to recognize blessings rather than complain. These virtues elevate the individual above selfish desires and transient gains, making him dignified, resilient, and spiritually sound.
Prophetic Example: The Prophet ﷺ endured insults, persecution, and boycotts in Makkah with patience and dignity. His restraint in the face of hostility elevated his own moral stature and set an example of endurance that transformed his followers into men and women of unshakable character.
Regulation of Society:
At the collective level, moral values function as unseen threads binding society together. If people are truthful, markets thrive without fraud; if they are just, courts deliver equity without corruption; if they are compassionate, the weak and marginalized find dignity rather than exploitation. Forgiveness, when embraced socially, prevents cycles of revenge and bloodshed, turning conflicts into reconciliation.
When the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah as a conqueror, he forgave his former enemies who had persecuted him for years. By saying, “Go, you are free,” he dissolved generations of hostility. That single act not only prevented bloodshed but restructured an entire society on the basis of mercy, reconciliation, and justice. No constitution could have achieved what this moral decision accomplished in a single moment.
Preservation of Human Destiny:
On the grand scale of history and eternity, moral values safeguard the balance of human destiny. A civilization without morality, no matter how advanced in science and wealth, collapses into chaos. Rome, for instance, fell not only by external invasion but also by internal moral corruption. Islam secures destiny by rooting worldly progress in eternal accountability. A believer knows that every act—small or great—will be weighed on the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet ﷺ constantly reminded people of accountability beyond this world. When a woman from a noble tribe committed theft, and some suggested overlooking her punishment, he declared, “Even if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would cut off her hand.” This insistence on justice preserved the moral trajectory of the community and secured their destiny against the corruption that destroys civilizations.
The Temperament of Sharī‘ah
The temperament of Islamic law is to balance mercy with justice. It makes punishments severe enough that one must think a hundred times before committing a crime, and if he dares to do so, the punishment serves as a lasting lesson for others. In this way, Sharī‘ah preserves society from chaos while simultaneously nurturing the moral consciousness of individuals.
Thus, the moral values of Islam are not isolated virtues but parts of a larger framework rooted in faith and action. Īmān provides the foundation, righteous deeds shape practical life, and moral values refine the spirit. Together, they:
>Elevate individuals by purifying hearts, disciplining desires, and strengthening inner dignity—just as the Prophet ﷺ’s patience elevated his companions.
>Regulate society by promoting justice, compassion, and reconciliation—just as forgiveness at the conquest of Makkah prevented cycles of bloodshed.
>Preserve human destiny by aligning earthly existence with eternal accountability—just as the Prophet ﷺ’s insistence on justice secured the moral future of the ummah. This is the harmony Islam offers: the salvation of the individual, the stability of society, and the balance of the universe of man.
