Moral Obligations and Recommendations to Promote Peace (2/2)

Islam enjoins maintaining a good character and morals

 Good morals and virtues are essential for a better society. Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

 “Amongst the best Believers are the persons with the best of morals and characteristics and those who are most kind to their families.” (Reported by Tirmidhi)

And he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

 “I was sent only to perfect the good conduct” and in another report “to perfect the noble of conduct.” (Reported by Malik, Ahmad & al-Bazzar)

Islam enjoins generosity

Generosity brings people closer to each other and enables the generous to gain the love and affection of others. Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

 “Allah, the Almighty, loves two traits; to be good to others and to be generous to them. Similarly, Allah, the Almighty, hates two traits; to be mean to others and to be miser to people. [On the other hand,] If Allah, the Almighty, favors a person, He would employ him to assist others achieve their goals and fulfill their needs.”  (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim)

The criterion of generosity in Islam is mentioned in the verse of the Glorious Qur’an:

 “Do not tie your hand to your neck (like a niggard), nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (being extravagant) so that you become blameworthy and destitute.”   (Surah Al-Isra', 17:29)

The criterion is set to restrict people from exceeding limits. Allah, the Almighty said:

 “And render to the kindred their due rights, as to those in need and want, and to the wayfarer: but do not squander your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is Ungrateful to his Lord.”  (Surah Al-Isra', 17:26-7)

Islam enjoins on Muslims to hide mistakes and omissions of others

The Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

 “Whosoever alleviates a Believer's hardship of this world, Allah, the Almighty, would alleviate his hardship and difficulty of the Day of Judgment. Whosoever eases the terms on [a financially] stranded person, Allah, the Almighty, would ease his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter. Whosoever hides the defects of a Muslim in this world, Allah, the Almighty, would hide the defects of that person both in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty, would continue to assist a slave-servant so long as such a person is extending his help and assistance to his Muslim brethren.” (Reported by Muslim)

Islam enjoins upon patience

People are encouraged to be patient in order to perform their religious and mundane duties and to avoid all evils. Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious Qur’an:

 “Now await in patience the Command of thy Lord: for verily you are in Our eyes: and celebrate the praises of thy Lord while you stand forth.”  (Surah At-Tur, 52:48)

Islam also urges and encourages Muslims to be patient on what they have been predestined for such as fear, poverty, hunger, lack of resources, terminal illness, etc. Allah the Almighty and Exalted said:

 “Be sure that We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives, or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.’ They are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155-7)

Allah the Almighty and Exalted illustrates the reward of the patient people as follows in the Glorious Qur’an:

 “Say: O My servants who believe! Fear your Lord. Good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!” (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:10)

Part of mercy and forgiveness is to control the temper and forgive others even though one is capable of taking revenge, which strengthens the relationships and ties amongst people and creates a better atmosphere within the society. Allah promises a great reward for controlling one's temper. Allah, the Almighty, states in the Glorious Qur’an:

 “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend (for Allah’s sake), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon; for Allah loves those who do good.”   (Surah Al-‘Imran, 3:133-4)

Also, Allah, the Almighty, commands Muslims to practice righteousness at all times and in all circumstances and not to return evil when mistreated with evil acts. Allah the Almighty and Exalted said:

 “Goodness and Evil are not equal. Repel Evil with that which is better; then it will be that the one between whom and you there was hatred will become as if he were your friend and intimate!” (Surah Fussilat, 41:34)

The above examples are mere glimpses of what Islam commands Muslims to comply with in their personal and public lives for the Pleasure of Allah. The Book of Allah, the Qur’an, and the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, provide additional commands and details related to these and other high and noble morals.