·    Does religion have an impact on building a Muslim’s personality?

 

·    Is it possible to establish the concept of morals without religion?

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May Allahʼs blessings and peace be upon the prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.

To begin with, here is a question posed by every seeker of truth and faced by anyone who combats reality: Are we truly in an era of civilization? Is material civilization the true meaning of civilization, or are we going down towards a dark abyss?

-Are we in the same stage as pre-Islamic society?

If I told you that there is a successful professor, but when his mother who raised him and educated him, got sick, he left her in a nursing home and he rarely asked about her, would this professor be considered civilized?

Or a young man who owns a lot of money and luxurious cars but always harms his neighbors, hurts everyone, and never gives charity to the poor and needy. Would this be considered civilization?

And if I told you that there are patients lying in hospitals, with no relatives or strangers asking about them, struggling against diseases and death alone, is this civilization?

Or the racism against black people, is this civilization?

 

Is killing the innocent, even if the killer owns the wealth of the world, would this be considered civilization?

Drinking alcohol and the bad crimes it causes, is this civilization?

Is adultery considered a civilization?

If we think of these examples, we will find that much of what we think of as civilization is nothing, in fact, itʼs regression itself, with no value for humanity.

There is no civilization in human values, nor is there civilization in compassion among people. Furthermore, if we think deeply, we may conclude that we live in an era that could be termed "modern ignorance" and we need to change just as the pre-Islamic society changed after being honored by Islam.

To achieve this transformation, we must study the pre-Islamic society and how it changed afterward. From here, we will realize that concept of morals couldnʼt be established without Islam.

Between the Ignorance of the Past and the Ignorance of the Present:

-      Do we really need religion to change our societies today, just as the society of ignorance changed in the past?

-      How did religion affect ancient pre-Islamic times?

Many people, when studying the biographies of the Companions, focus on how they were after Islam, and how their morals and heroism after Islam. Few take interest in knowing the lives of the Companions during the age of ignorance.

 

However, if we truly want to change our societies and learn the significance of Islam in our lives, we must ask ourselves: What was the state of society in the age of ignorance before Islam? How did it change? And what did it change into?

For instance, "Omar ibn al-Khattab", (may Allah be pleased with him). Before Islam, he was known for his strong temperament and fierce determination. Muslims often faced various forms of harm from him, as he would torment many who entered Islam until they renounced it, But when he entered the religion of Allah, he honored Islam through him.

 

Look at this hadith regarding the prohibition of alcohol; few of us realize how difficult it is to abandon alcohol, as it is considered an addiction. Yet, observe how Islam transformed the Companions and shaped them into who they are of moral character, civilization, and obedience the commands of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) even when itʼs against their desires.

(Narrated Anas)

 

I was the butler of the people in the house of Abu Talha, and in those days drinks were prepared from dates. Allah's Messenger ( PBUH) ordered somebody to announce that alcoholic drinks had been prohibited. Abu Talha ordered me to go out and spill the wine. I went out and spilled it, and it flowed in the streets of medina. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Reflect, dear reader, on this verse:

 

.(52: النور ) " "

Allah Almighty said: “For whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, and fears Allah and is mindful of Him, then it is they who will ˹truly˺ triumph.ˮ

(An-Nur:Verse 52)

Consider how the Companions obeyed the commands of Allah and the commands of His Messenger (PUBH). Ponder how much the entire world needs these rules, and how many homes have been destroyed, and how many crimes have been committed due to alcohol.

 

-      How did Islam change the pre-Islamic society and bring about radical changes in ways of thinking and behaviour?

Consider, dear reader, how much we truly need to embody obedience to the commands of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH).

This does not mean that the companions during the pre-Islamic era did not possess morals; rather, they had a good nature that led them to many noble morals. However, Islam came to refine this nature and guide it in the right direction, which will be discussed in the next section.

 

-      Can the concept of morals really be established without religion?

Here is the question! we will discuss three main points:

First:

The human nature and the concept of morals before Islam Allah created man with an upright and submissive nature, and what alters this nature is the society, Satan, and misguided parents. However, it is possible for some aspects of this nature to remain, allowing its bearer to possess some or many noble morals.

In the hadith:

Allah's Messenger (PBUB), while delivering a sermon one day, “said: 'Behold, my Lord commanded me that I should teach you what you do not know and what He has taught me today: I have created my servants as one having a natural inclination to the worship of Allah but it is Satan who turns them away from the right religion and he makes unlawful what has been declared lawful for them and he commands them to ascribe partnership with me

(Sahih Muslim)

 

And The Arabs during the pre-Islamic period possessed several traits and qualities, some good and others bad. Islam came to complete these traits, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "I have been sent to perfect noble morals".

For example, they exhibited unparalleled courage, which was evident in their stories and wars. Therefore, morals existed before Islam, and they were refined with the advent of Islam.

Unfortunately, this courage was often misplaced, as it was frequently rooted in blind tribalism and misplaced pride. Islam came and directed this trait to its proper place, making fighting for God's sake and defending human sanctities including oneʼs religion, honor, wealth, and life—qualities of sincere men. It established that those who die in this cause are martyrs.

Second:

-          The Islamic religion as a source of morality: why is it a necessary basis?

no one can know what is good and evil for humanity better than their Creator (Glory be to Him) for He is All-Knowing of everything.

He says in the Quran:

(14 :) “ ˮ

"Does He not know who created, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?" (Al-Mulk:14)

So how can we abandon the legal rulings derived from the Quran and the Sunnah, and get lost among thousands of differing opinions and ideas in society?

 

 

The evidence for this is that most societies around the world today, regrettably, do not implement the teachings of Islam, whether completely or partially. Have these societies succeeded in establishing a concept of morality without Islam? Have crimes decreased? Has rape diminished? What about unjustly consuming people's wealth and dividing communities into rich and poor, or white and black?

Dear reader, slavery ended in some countries Nearly 50 years ago, Among the ignorant, the saying "survival of the fittest" has become common. But is this truly a reflection of morality?

Thirdly:

-      does the concept of morality matter only in this worldly life?

Is there not an afterlife that is fundamental? Is there no judgment for all deeds?

Do we not desire Paradise? Do we not fear Hell? Do we not seek Allah's pleasure?

If the answer is yes, then consider this hadith:

" ﻗﺎل رﺳﻮل الله ﷺ"

" "

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

"The believers who show the most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition." (Sahih al-Tirmidhi)

Consider, dear reader, the saying of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH):

“ ˮ

"I was sent to perfect good morals."

(Al-Albani)

Consider, dear reader, the statement of Allah when He praised the noble Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) by praising his manners, saying, "And indeed, you are of great manners." (Al-Qalam, Verse 4)

(4:) “ ˮ

So, we have learned that perfecting good morals requires us to follow the Islamic religion and submission to the commands of Allah and His Messenger. But how do we do that?

-       How does the Islamic religion address the issues facing our societies and help us build and shape values in them?

In this section, we will discuss how Islam addresses some of the issues facing societies, The most important element here is submission to the commands of Allah and the commands of the Prophet (PBUH).

 

"Honoring Parents"

Allah, Almighty says:

“ ˮ

"We have commanded people to honor their parents."

 

وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم

!

 

:

((رواه مسلم

 

 

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said,

"May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his lifetime, and he does not enter Paradise (by rendering being dutiful to them)." Muslim]

 

Dear reader, reflect on how the issue of honoring parents is a pivotal case in Islam, as it has been made a means to enter Paradise. Now consider what is happening in many societies around the world today; they send their elderly parents to nursing homes when they get older and become sick and weak to avoid being a burden on them.

Do these societies not need to apply the morals and teachings of Islam and yield to the commands of Allah and His Messenger

 

"Rights of Neighbors"

" " :

the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Gabriel impressed upon me (the kind treatment) towards the neighbor (so much) that I thought as if he would soon confer upon him the (right) of inheritance.ˮ

(Sahih Muslim)

So imagine with me, dear reader, that due to the frequent advice of Gabriel to our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to treat his neighbors well, the Prophet (PBUH) thought that neighbors would inherit from each other just as a son inherits from his father. How much we need this great virtue for our communities to live in connection and cooperation!

 

 

"Killing"

Look at Allah's statement regarding killing:

ˮthat if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankindˮ.

 

The Ayah states that whoever kills a soul without justification – such as in retaliation for murder or for causing mischief on earth – will be as if he has killed all mankind because there is no difference between one life and another.

 

"Family Ties"

consider, dear reader, this hadith:

 

" : ˮ

(صحيح البخارى )

“Abu Hurairah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "He who wishes to have his earnings grow (and(be blessed) and his term of life prolonged should keep ties with his kin.ˮ (Al-Bukhari) This is one of the hadiths encouraging the reinforcement of family ties, and Allah has promised a reward for this act in this world, which is the expansion of sustenance, and the second is prolonging the lifespan, meaning an increase in life. So how would it be if we all became a community that maintains these ties, especially after we have become like a family and may not know the state of our brothers?

 

Concern for the benefit of others

“ : :

 

Anas reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself." Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

And here it does not just mean to wish good for your brother by kinship, but it also means to wish good for your brother in Islam, meaning that you consider all Muslims as your brothers. So imagine dear reader, a community where every individual wishes well for everyone as he wishes for himself. How would this ideal community be?

 

 

 

 

"Hosting Guests"

:

(رواه البخارى) . "

“whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be generous to his guest.ˮ

(Al-Bukhari][Muslim).

Observe how the virtue of honoring guests is linked to the most significant matters in religion, namely the belief in Allah and the Last Day, highlighting the importance of hospitality and how much we need this great virtue in our times.

"Visiting the Sick"

" "

 

 

(رواه مسلم )

Thauban, the freed slave of Allah's Messenger (), reported that Allah's Messenger () said:

“He who visits the sick continues to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.ˮ

(Sahih Muslim)

How many sick people are struggling with death and are unaware of their situation? We ask Allah for wellness.

 

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, dear brother, I would like to say that we have only discussed a few of the texts that address the morals mentioned in the Holy Quran and the noble Sunnah. Nevertheless, you now certainly realize the importance of morals in Islam and the significance of adhering to the commands of Allah and His Messenger, and that we need religion to establish a society that thrives on morals, where the strong do not usurp the rights of the weak. By adhering to Islamic morals, we revive the glory of our Islamic nation, which it experienced in the past and dreams of in the future; do, we must start planting these values now.