📜 Understanding Ethics in Islamic Thought 🌙

Ethics - Definition and Meaning

Ethics - In Islamic theology and philosophy, ethical theories were constructed on two closely related questions: the ontological status of value in ethics, and the sources of human knowledge of such value. Two primary theories of ethics emerged from these discussions: rationalist ethics, in which human reason plays a significant role in determining right and wrong (endorsed by the Mutazilis and the Shiis), and divine command ethics, in which moral righteousness is defined as adherence to divine commandments (promoted by the Asharis).

In the contemporary discourse on social and political ethics, rationalist ethics gains more traction among activist reformers due to its emphasis on human reason’s capacity to discern moral truths.

Etymology and Historical Background

The term ’ethics’ originates from the Greek word “ēthikē,” which means “the study of moral character and moral actions.” In Arabic, the term for ethics is “اخلاق” (Akhlaq), deriving from the root “خ-ل-ق” denoting creation and character.

Historical Facts and Dates

Islamic ethics has rich historical development, especially from the 8th to the 14th centuries during the Islamic Golden Age:

• 8th Century: The rise of the Mutazilites who emphasized rationalism in ethics.
• 10th Century: The formalization of Asharite theology advocating divine command ethics.
• 11th Century to 13th Century: Works of prominent philosophers like Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd integrated and critiqued both rationalist and divine command ethics.
• 20th and 21st Century: Modern Islamic reformers, such as Muhammad Abduh and Mahmoud Mohamad Taha, forwarded rationalist ethical principles, emphasizing reason in moral decision-making.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

• Arab World: Engage mostly in traditional views, harmonizing between divine command and rationalist ethics with a preference for scriptural foundations.
• Iranian Tradition: Shii thought, leaning towards rationalist ethics, promotes the balance between reason and revelation.
• South Asia: Varies significantly, with a spectrum including both fundamental adherence to divine command ethics and progressive rationalist viewpoints.
• Moral Philosophy in the West: Shadows, and sometimes clashes, with Islamic ethical theories, given its predominant secular humanist influence.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:

• Morality (أخلاق)
• Deontology (فلسفة أخلاقية)
• Virtue (فضيلة)

Antonyms:

• Immorality (فساد الأخلاق)
• Unethical behavior (سلوك غير أخلاقي)
• Vice (رذيلة)

Related Terms with Definitions

• Akhlaq (أخلاق): Character or moral conduct.
• Fiqh (فقه): Islamic jurisprudence which includes ethical rulings.
• Maqasid al-Shariah (مقاصد الشريعة): The objectives or goals of Islamic ethics and law.

Exciting Facts

• Islamic ethics is closely intertwined with the concept of Maqasid al-Shariah, aiming toward achieving benefits and preventing harm.
• Different branches of Islamic schools of thought emphasize diverse aspects of Akhlaq, leading to rich diversity within Islamic moral philosophy.

Quotations from Notable Writers

• “The ethical system of Islam is not based merely on philosophical arguments but is rooted in divine revelation and tested by practical experience.” - Al-Ghazali
• “To understand the principles of ethics, one must first recognize the possibilities of reason in judging what is right.” - Ibn Rushd (Averröes)

Recommended Literature

• Tahafut al-Falasifa (The Incoherence of the Philosophers) by Al-Ghazali.
• Kitab Tahafut al-Tahafut (The Incoherence of the Incoherence) by Ibn Rushd.
• Islamic Philosophy from its Origin to the Present: Philosophy in the Land of Prophecy by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
• The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam by Muhammad Iqbal.

Quizzes 🏅

May the ethical heritage of Islamic thought inspire you towards a just and prudent life. 🌙✨

Fatima Al-Hassani October 3, 2023