Islamic ethics (Arabic: أخلاق إسلامية) is the "philosophical reflection upon moral conduct" with a view to defining "good character" and attaining the "pleasure of God" (raza-e Ilahi).[1][2] It is distinguished from "Islamic morality", which pertains to "specific norms or codes of behavior".[1]
It took shape as a field of study or an "Islamic science" (ʿIlm al-Akhlaq), gradually from the 7th century and was finally established by the 11th century.[3] Although it was considered less important than sharia and fiqh "in the eyes of the ulama" (Islamic scholars) "moral philosophy" was an important subject for Muslim intellectuals.[4] Many scholars consider it shaped as a successful amalgamation of the Qur'anic teachings, the teachings of Muhammad, the precedents of Islamic jurists (see Sharia and Fiqh), the pre-Islamic Arabian tradition, and non-Arabic elements (including Persian and Greek ideas) embedded in or integrated with a generally Islamic structure.[3] Although Muhammad's preaching produced a "radical change in moral values based on the sanctions of the new religion ... and fear of God and of the Last Judgment"; the tribal practice of Arabs did not completely die out. Later Muslim scholars expanded the religious ethic of the Qur'an and Hadith in immense detail.[3]
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- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
JECEoI2011:214was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Syed Shahid Ali (2015). "The Quranic Morality: An Introduction to the Moral-System of Quran" (PDF). Islam and Muslim Societies: A Social Science Journal. 8 (1): 98. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b c Bearman et al. 2009, Akhlaq
- ^ Campo, Encyclopedia of Islam, "Ethics and morality" 2009: p.217