Quran is the threshod of morals

Quran is the threshod of morals
(Dr.A.P. Mohamed Ali,Phd,IPS®)

After receiving my write up on the political unity among the Muslim leaders in Tamilnadu for the success in the future Assembly elections in 2011 and local bodies’ election brother Syed Abdul Kader from Chennai ETA Star had replied in his mail that it is very difficult to find good moral muslim leaders nowadays. I ponder over the preachings of Al-Quran over the morals and I wish you to share whether Islam is lacking of any morals.

John William Draper, in his “A history of the intellectual development of Europe” says, “The Quran abounds in excellent moral suggestions and precipts…maxims of which all men must approve…rules complete in themselves, suitable for common men in any of the incidents of life.”
Will Duran in his “The Age of Faith” says “…The Mohammeden faith touched the hearts and fancies of hundred of peoples, governed their morals and moulded their lives, gave them consoling hopes and strengthening pride”.
The above writings of the foreign authors prove that Islam is the religion of ethics. Mean morals are the offshoot of ignorance, oppression and extremity of fury. Rasoolallah has been appointed by Allah as apostle for the perfection of highest morals. Man is created as Allah’s vicegerent on earth. The perfect vicegerent is he who has the power of initiative himself, but whose independent action always reflects perfectly the will of his Principal(Allah). The life of the man is probationary in the earth. The reward or punishment is given according to his actions in the earth during his probationary life. Consciousness of a future and higher life is also the hope and consolation of those whose life in this earth is full of misery and sufferings.
There are three special characteristics of man; 1) he has been embodied with vast powers to explore the earth and universe and countless things around it, 2) he has been left free to choose a way of belief or disbelief, obedience or sin, virtue or vice as he likes and 3) an innate moral sense has been placed on him by which he could discriminate between good and bad. These three factors are the accountable on which man would be called upon to explain. That time inevitably will come only after the man breathes his last.


Democratic Principles: In any other religion people’s participation in governmental affairs is not known to history. In the Bible of Mathews it is written, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar.” It implies that there is no corresponding right of the people except the obligation of payment of state revenues. But in Islamic history all the four Caliphs were electe as ‘Air-ul-Mumineen.’ Ansars and Muhajirs spoke their point of view in the Calipha’s Advisory Council. Caliph had no absolute authority to impose any tax except with the consent of the respective Council. The Caliphs were granted allowance for their services. They had not lived in luxury like any other kings, emperors, pharaohs, etc.
Brotherhood: Quran has brought the whole some change to the lives of the humanity. It teaches of the brotherhood of man and the necessity to live unitedly by closing the ranks of the tribe, race, nation, language, sex, wealth, colour, ect. All those false barriers of distinctions only create hatred. The current conflicts based on the difference of colour, linguistic troubles, sectarian violences, racial struggles,etc. Rasoolallah had said in his farewell address, “Allah has made you brethren, one to another, so are not to be divided. Social equality can be seen during the daily five times prayers and festivel and Jumma prayers. In the place of blood shed and hatred at Mecca, Rasoolallah established a movement of brotherhood and solidarity by entering into Medina between migrants and natives called Muhajins and Ansars. The conflicts between Banu and Banu Umayya and the enmity between Quraish and Muzer why not even Jew and Christians were dispelled by the advent of Monotheism and Islamic Movement and unified and reformed the entire society in the Arab world because Islam is the impartial religion. It does not discriminate between men, it does not stifle the freedom of conscience on the followers of any religions in the form of worship and preachings and it does grant protection on par with Mussalamans. A person came to Hazrat Abdullah (Ral) and asked, “Which one is the most favourite person of Allah among the People?” for which he replied, “the most favourite person of Allah ishe who affords the greatest benefits to his fellowmen.” Rasoolallah advocates his followers to rise when the corps of non-muslims were taking out in front of them. Sri Ramana Maharishi says, ‘that the society based on the equality of brotherhood alone can withstand the test of time. It establishes peace and friendship.’
Tolerance: Quran has forbidden being intolerance. There is no ground for hatred on the basis of ones religion. Allah has in numerous verses of Quran made it clear that Allah could have made the humanity to embrace Islam, but after explaining good and evil he left it to the discretion of the humanity to take which direction they wish to sail. There are many instances in which muslims were pulled up when jews complained to Rasoolallah. Once a jew was slapped by a Muslim for which he was admonished. When a delegation of the Christian from Najra came to Medina, they were lodged in the mosque of the Holy Prophet even they were allowed to perform the prayer there itself.
Generosity: The oppression is the abuse of power or authority. It runs fury in the place of pleased, behaves miserably in the place of generosity-one becomes harsh in place of behaving softly, humble and graceful. There is a “Hadith”, that there was certain youth who came to prophet thrice and begged to be advised who replied him all the times-La Taghadhale (Keep away from fury). Another “Hadith” says, “the person is not the wrestler who knocks down others, brave is one who controls himself at the time of fury”. Omar-e-Farook(rad) was a staunch Calipha of equality. When he entered Syria as Caliph it was the turn of his slave to mount on the camel and Omar was conducting the camel. Imagine the once dreaded Omar was humble even to the slave. Man who would consider himself humble to others would always be out of superiority complex and would be attempting to do better always would refrain from teasing others and would forbear anything unpleasant or insolent from others and won’t consider any retaliation in the normal course of conduct.
Forgiveness: Quran advocates the forgiveness of the guilty person. Prophet Yousuf(alai)was pushed down intothe well by his brothers. Thinking that he had died that they chocked the shirt of Yusuf with blood and they invented a story saying that a wolf had devoured him. Yakub(alai) had also believed them. When the years passed they came to know that their brother survived from their plot. Yusuf who was the king then showered bounties on them. Then they appeared before their father and repented. Yakub had also prayed to Allah entreating Allah to forgive his sons.
Poor Tax: It is ordained by Islam that 1/8 of the Zakat is meant for the poor and needy. Quran says, “You be kind to your parents. When one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honour and respect.” Rasoolallah said, “In paradise I and caretaker of the orphan will be like these two fingers pointing to the forefinger and middle finger. Abu Huraira had said, “The person who renders any service to widows and poor persons is like a crusader.” The Rahim is derived from Rahman and whoever does not show mercy to his relatives he severs his relations from Rahman-the merciful. Islam abhors the luxury and spendthrifts. Man holds property in trust. To waste is quite wrong. Any waste may lead to our own destruction. The worship of wealth is moral deterioration.They are called the brothers of the Satans. And the Satan is to his Lord ungrateful. Do not usurp orphan’s property except improve it. Give full measures and weigh with a balance that is straight.
Amassing of wealth and living on the interest are abhorred in Islam because they fleece the human beings like leeches sucking the human and animal blood. Indulgence of corrupt practices either in trade, business and profession is condemned. It is not an individual corruption alone but it also condemns institutional corruption. Institutional corruption means entering contractual obligation with the Governmental and any other organization by paying middle men to achieve their successful contract. Such contractual agreements ultimately affect the basic structures of people’s utilities. The money obtained from the institutional contracts is stashed away in foreign banks, Switzerland, etc. Imagine it is alleged that 70 lakh crores of money is illegally deposited in foreign banks. It is done at the cost of the people and country. In corrupt action of whoever gives and takes are offenders. Whoever abets are also offenders. By accumulating such illegal money is freely used for election as party funds and spent in pastimes. Some people think by amassing such illegal wealth will be compensated of their sins by giving alms and sadaqah. The people in Chennai-Mannadi know a Muslim gentle man running iron and steal and shop squandered money along with Indian Bank officials and freely distributed the gifts to many people and institutions thereby he was called as Vallal. Later on it was brought to the notice of the public that the money he amassed was the illegal one when he was booked by CBI. So by giving freebies, a person may not be a philanthropist. The persons indulging in FERA violation and Hawla transaction and amassing the wealth are also offenders of the Country. The Rich persons who runs real estates engaging the musclemen to dispossess their tenements are also offenders of the Society. It is not permissible in Islam.
Preventing infanticide: In the days of conducting the pre-natal tests to take option for a child Quran says, “Kill not your children for fear of want: we shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.” Further the choosing of the child by inducing abortion will lead into adultery and getting immune to killing diseases like AIDs. Do not feel downcast on the birth of a child on account of financial hardship, ill health or for any other reason. Do not procure abortion or killing of a child after birth which are acts of heinous barbarity, gruesome cruelty and extreme cowardice. One Sahabi enquired from Rasoolallah to explain the greatest sins. Prophet told, ‘i) Polytheism ii) Disobedience to parents and iii) killing of ones own children. “Nor take life of anyone without valid reasons.

Indulgence of woman pleasure: Islam emancipated the womenfolk by condemning the female infanticide. The advocacy of wearing outer garments to cover the body of women except face is intended not to restrict the liberty of women but to protect them from defiling and molestation. Yusuf Qardawi in his book “The lawful and the prohibited in Islam” says, ‘during the present period of ignorance of the divine guidance, the display of feminine attractions has gone to vulgar extremes. In Islamic penal law the word Zina is used both for fornication and debauchery. Both man and woman are punished for adultery and extra-marital sex in Islamic law. But in India law only woman is punished where as man is let off, which is a partial treatment. Only recently law is going to come to punish both active and passive member in adultery. Adultery is not only shameful in itself and inconsistent with any self respect or respect for others, but also invites many other evils. It destroys the very foundation of family life and may lead to various crimes.
Treatment of wife: A stable and well organized family system is a prerequisite for the birth of a righteous society. Family life begins with the sacred matrimonial connection between the husband and wife. Quran says, “Treat your wife well in life. Discharge your obligation towards her with a liberal heart and adopt a favourable and self scarifying attitude in every matter concerning your wife.” “O people listen; behave well towards women, for they are like captives. You have no right to give them harsh treatment in case when they show open disobedience. If they are guilty of disobedience, keep away from them in the bed room. If she lacks beauty of face or person or is deficient in good means, morality, good sense or skill in household affairs, hear these faults with Patience. Look to her virtues; maintain a harmonious relationship by means of generosity, liberty of mind and self-sacrifice. Similarly wives should also respect the wishes of the husbands. The wives must make husbands happy by words, deeds, behaviour and manners.
Indulgence of thefts: Quran prescribes severe punishment. Ayath 5:36 says, ‘As to the thief, male or female, cut off their hands, retribution
For their deed and exemplary punishment from Allah. Only the right hand of the thief is cut off. But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness.’ The Socialist Gordan Gaskell says, “Foreigners consider cutting off a hand as punishment for theft is a horrible one but even they admit that it has made Soudi Arabia with the lowest crime rate.” An article in Time magazine dated 23.03.81 observes, ‘in America every 10 seconds a home is burgled, every 7 minutes a woman is raped and every 24 minutes a murder takes place.’

Abhorrence of Drinking, Drug addiction and Gaming:
Every sports lover knows about Argentinean Madonna who is enthroned as the greatest footballer of the 20th Century. He had lost to his glory because of the narcotic addition and lost his earnings to the tune of several millions of dollars and his health deteriorated. In an interview in 1996 he said, “A man who becomes an addict to narcotic has to fight against the drug each day”.
He then added, “One day as I was in the height of intoxication due to drug addiction, my young daughter asked me to get a cup of water for her. I was lying in bed and she prodded me and asked for water. But even though I wanted to get up, I could not do so; I felt as if I was nailed to the bed. This was the result of my consuming cocaine. My daughter asked me, ‘Can’t you even give me a cup of water?’ Those words haunted me throughout later on.”
Quran in verses 5:90 prohibits intoxication and gambling and they are
the handiwork of Satan. Both are hindering of the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Both of them ruin our family lives. Alcohol remains a potent driving force behind a large portion of all crimes and it may be named as the mother of all evils. The encyclopedia of religion and ethics says about gambling, i) pleasure is obtained at the cost of the pain to another ii) it is essentially anti-social which scars the sympathies, cultivates a hard egoism and so produces a general deterioration of character.
It condemns back-biting, ridiculing, defaming and slander, avoiding suspicion and spying. A verse 49:12 says, “Nor speak ill of each other behind their back. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor it”. Verses 49:11 says “Let not some men among you laugh at other. It may be that the latter are better than the former, nor call each other by offensive nick-names”. Thus it is clear Allah strictly forbids playing with the honour of other people. A verse 24:4 says “And those who launch a charge against chaste women and produce not four witnesses to support their allegations flog them with eighty stripes”.

Al-Quran is rich in morals. We need not derive any inspiration from any other religion for that. That’s why Mahatma Gandhi in Young India dt.21.3.1929 stated that all non-muslims should read and understand Islam in the same way as he has learnt it, and then only, all would extend love towards Islam. When others eulogizes Islamic principles should we not follow?