The Moral Aspect of Islam | Part 2

[7] Islam has forbidden usurping the wealth of orphans and considers it as squandering the rights of the poor. Allah (SWT) says:

Verily, those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, they eat up only a fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire! [4:10]

 An exception is made from this stern admonition-, the one who is poor looks after the orphan is allowed to take an amount that suffices him from the wealth of the orphan under his supervision, this being in return for taking care of the child, feeding him, and giving him clothing. He may also try to increase the orphan’s wealth, by investing it. Allah (SWT)says:

…and whoever amongst guardians is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his work). [4:6]

[8] False testimony and perjury are considered destructive sins. This is due to its detrimental results in society, since it would lead to squandering people’s rights and spreading of injustice. It causes harm to both the bearer of witness, as it helps him with his injustice, as well as the innocent victim by depriving him of his due right. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Shall I not tell you the greatest of the grave sins?” They said. “Indeed O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating partners with Allah [Shirk] and ill-treatment of parents.” He was leaning (while he mentioned that), but then he sat up straight (as if he was alarmed) and said, “And bearing false witness.” (The narrator) said, “He continued to repeat this until we wished that he would stop…” [al-Bukhari]

 [9] Gambling for it wastes monetary as well as physical efforts and brings no benefit, neither for the individual or society. Allah (SWT) says:

 O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, al-ansaab, and al-azlaam [arrows for seeking luck or decision] are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all that (abomination), in order that you may be successful. [5:90]

 If a person wins while gambling, he has usurped other people’s wealth without right. The delight felt when winning may also cause him to further use deceptive measures to win again. If one loses, he would have squandered his money in something which brings no benefit. This loss may lead him to steal, if he has no  money left, in order to continue playing, so that he would be able to win back his losses. [10] Highway robbery, pillaging, murder, and frightening the innocent, for it spreads terror and fear in society and disrupts the peace and security. Allah (SWT) says:

 The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter. [5:33]

 The sentence is given in accordance to the type of crime. Ibn `Abbas said that highway robbers should be killed and crucified if they kill and pillage. If they kill without stealing, they should be killed. If they steal, but do not kill, their hands and feet are to be severed in opposite sides. If they cause fear to wayfarers but do not steal, they are to be banished from that locality. [al-Baihaqi]

[11] Taking false oath (a ‘dipping’ oath) which is to intentionally take a false oath in order to usurp the right of another, thus ‘dipping’ him into the Hellfire. Allah (SWT) says: Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah’s Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allah speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment. [3:77] The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever usurps the right of a Muslim by swearing a false oath, Allah has obligated for him the Hellfire and prohibited for him Paradise.” They (his companions) said, “Even if it were something trivial O Messenger of Allah (SWT)?” He replied, “Even if it were a twig of an Araak tree.[Muslim]

[12] Suicide. Allah (SWT)says:

And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely Allah is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that; through aggression and injustice, We shall cast him into the Fire, and that is easy for Allah. [4:30]

 The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever kills himself with something will be punished with that thing on the Day of Requital.” [Muslim]

 [13] Lying, treachery, deceit, and breaking promises. Allah (SWT) says:

 O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly those things entrusted to you (the duties which Allah has ordained for you). [8:27]

 The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“If four traits are found in a person, he is a pure hypocrite, and if he has one of these traits, he has a trait of hypocrisy until he leaves it: when he is entrusted, he proves treacherous; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes an oath, he betrays it; and when he argues, he is obscene.”[Muslim]

In another narration reported in Muslim, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “…even if he prays, fasts, and thinks himself to be a Muslim.” [14] Islam has forbidden that Muslims boycott or harbor jealousy against one other. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, and do not turn your backs upon each other; but rather be the slaves of Allah and be brothers. It is impermissible for a Muslim to abandon his brother for more than three days.” [Muslim]

 [15] Cursing and vulgarity. The Prophet (ﷺ) said.

 “Indeed a believer does not curse or insult and he is not foul and obscene in speech.” [Ahmad & at-Timidhi]

 Even in regards to one’s enemies, Islam calls upon the Muslims to ask Allah to guide them… not invoke Allah against them. Abu Hurairah (RA) said that it was said to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ):

“O Messenger of Allah (SWT), supplicate against the pagans.” He replied, “I was not raised to curse, but rather (sent) as a mercy.” [Muslim]

 [16] Miserliness. Wealth belongs to Allah… He has entrusted it to humans, to spend on themselves and their dependants. They must also expend from it, to help needy brothers. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sought refuge with Allah from this evil trait. The Prophet (ﷺ) explained what would result in a society due to miserliness:

“Avoid cruelty and injustice for, on the Day of Requital, injustice will be a reason that one will be cast into several types of darkness. Guard yourselves against miserliness; for indeed it destroyed nations before you. It led them to bloodshed and to treat unlawful as lawful.” [Muslim]

The Religion of Islam regards the rich person who sees his needy brothers seeking his help but does not help them to be far removed from true faith. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The most evil of diseases is miserliness.” [Ahmad]

[17] Extravagance and squandering money unrightfully. Allah (SWT) says:

And give to the kindred his due and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. * Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of devils, and Satan (the devil) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. [17:26-7]

 The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Indeed Allah had forbidden for you disobedience or unkindness to mothers, refusing people charity and asking for it, burying your daughters alive, and he has disliked for you spreading tales, persistent questioning, and squandering money.” [al-Bukhari]

 [18] Fanaticism and extremism in matters of Religion. Allah (SWT) says

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. [2:185]

 The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

 “Indeed the Religion is one of ease. None shall make the Religion strict except that it will overcome him. So be upright and moderate, do those things which are easy, and give glad tidings of the reward from Allah. Seek help (by performing righteous deeds) in the morning, afternoon, and in a part of the night [your periods of motivation].” [al-Bukhari]

[19] Self-conceit, pride and vanity. Allah (SWT) says:

 And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster. * And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice [braying] of the ass.’ [131:18-19]

About pride, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“A person who has a seed’s worth of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah () what if a person likes to wear nice clothing and shoes?” He replied, “Indeed Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Pride is that you reject the truth and look down upon others.” [Muslim]

About vanity, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

 “Whoever drags his clothing (on the ground) out of vanity, Allah will not look at him on the Day of Requital.” [al-Bukhari]