Islamic Center of Irvine

2: Maintaining Personal Ethics

Personal ethics or morality reflects the values and standards we believe in and how we implement those values in our social life.
"The Deen (Islamic way of life) is social interaction"
Values are integral to how we view ourselves and how we view the world around us. Living life in harmony with good values mean living life with integrity.
" Surely, good character is part of the completion of a believer's faith."
Integrity is being yourself at your best.
"Surely, Allah has prescribed goodness in everything."

Personal Ethics include ...

Rightful Behavior - doing what is right, for the right reason. Remember that Allah judges actions by the sincerity of the intentions that precede them.
Rightful behavior requires righteousness at a ...
1. Mental level - good thoughts and sincere intentions
  "Good consideration is part of good character"
2. Verbal level - truthful and respectful speech
  " Do not say with your tongue except what is good."
3. Physical level - doing what is right and good, while avoiding whatever is false and evil.
  We are commanded
  " do what is right and forbid what is wrong."
  We have a responsibility to do our best, at doing what is best, as best we can. As the Prophet (pbuh) said:
  "Abstain completely from what I declare forbidden, and do to the best of your ability that which I command."
Being Just
" Allah commands justice and goodness in everything."
Respect for Others
"Allah has honored all human beings."
Preventing Harm
"Neither harm nor allow harm"
Being kind and compassionate
"Allah is kind and loves kindness in everything."
The more we are of benefit to others the more Allah cares about us.
As Moulana Altaf Husayn Hali said:
"This is 'ibaadah, this is iemaan;
That people be of benefit to each other."
Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you
Hadrat Ali said:
" Make yourself the standard in social conduct (between yourself and others), love for others what you love for yourself and dislike for others what you dislike for yourself. Do not wrong others just as you do not wish others to wrong you, rather do good as you would wish that good be done to yourself."
Concern for the welfare of all forms of existence
"All of creation are dependents of Allah and Allah loves most those who are most beneficial to His dependents."

Remember that as Believers or People of Faith, we have the duty of manifesting our Faith. Many know of Islam purely by observing Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad said:
" The Believer is loving and is loved, there is no goodness in not loving and in not being loved, and the best human beings are those who are most beneficial to humanity."