The Islamic Way of Life

THE ISLAMIC WAY OF LIFE of unilateral and unconditional positive conduct. ‘Do good to others, even if they are not doing good to you.’ (al-Tabarani) The Quran portrays Muslims as individuals who “repel evil with good.” (28:54) Similarly, Prophet Muhammad advised a Muslim to “do good to those who harm you” (al-Tirmirdhi). Prophet Muhammad was the true embodiment of the finest moral character. Addressing the Prophet, the Quran declares: “Surely you have a sublime character.” (68:4) So great an importance has been attached in Islam to moral character that it has been set up as a criterion by which to judge all other Islamic virtues. If one is good in relation to other human beings, that will serve as evidence that one also is good in relation to God. Prophet Muhammad puts it thus: “One who is not grateful to man cannot be grateful to God either.” (Al-Bayhaqi) Social Relations A. Individual Responsibility To preserve society from instability and keep it in a perpetually reformed state, Islam has given a basic commandment, which has been mentioned at many places in the Quran. One such Quranic verse runs: “(Believers are those) who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.” (9:112) The same point has also been repeatedly made in a number of traditions such as the following: “A believer ought to open the gate of good and close the door of evil.” (Musnad Ahmad)