Quran - What is Good, What is Evil
Man is a moral being, free to choose either good or evil,
right or wrong. The basic questions are: what is good?
what is evil? why good is good? why evil is evil?, These
questions are the topic of ETHICS where Laws according to
which OUGHT to happen are discussed. In this way ETHICS
relates more to feelings than to the concrete world and
incorporates instinctive behavior; within the purview of
Mechanistic Theory of Life. The scale of values helps to
determine which of the two goods is the higher and which
the lower. Reason tells only about relative values. Ethics
cannot even give a definite answer to the question as to
whether there are absolute values and if so, how they can
be known. It tends to define values in subjective terms,
only in relation to the particular experiencing
individual. It amounts to a tacit denial of an objective
system of values, valid for all men at all times. Islam
involves belief in objective, absolute values as moral
standard. These values are given in the Holy Quran – the
only source of our knowledge of the highest values on
which the character development is based.
Armed with adequate knowledge of values, we can, if we
want, give and act in full accord with the immutable moral
order of the universe. The knowledge does not only consist
in merely the recognition of a value as a value but
involves a just estimate of the degree of worth possessed
by it also, so that it may be compared with other values.
Confronted with a situation where we are called upon to
choose between two values, we can then promptly choose the
higher and sacrifice the lower value for the sake of the
higher. Character is strengthened by our voluntary
sacrifice of a lower value to secure a higher one. When a
man has to choose, for example, between life and money, he
does not hesitate to throw away money and save his life.
Here instinct backs his choice; but the same man may be
forced to choose between life and honour. It is a cruel
choice and the man may not reconcile himself to the loss
of either of the two extremely precious things. Choosing
the higher and sacrificing the lower value is the
character development . National reconstruction and
character development are intrinsically linked with Values
Education whether these be through democratic values,
through our system of education and curriculum at all
levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. According to the
Holy Quran, the five principles, are the five fundamental
facts which one has to accept in order to become a Momin:
1. 100 % believe in - Eiman in Allah Almighty
2. Believe in - Eiman in the law of Mukafat (law of Requital) and the life hereafter
3. Believe in - Eiman in Malaika, the heavenly forces
4. Believe in - Eiman in the revealed Books
5. Believe in - Eiman on Messengers of Allah Almighty
Where-as;
* To have Eiman in Allah Almighty means to have
conviction in His existence, to trust His every word, to
depend/trust the laws given by Him and declare that one
would obey those laws.
* To have Eiman in the law of Mukafat means to have firm
conviction in that law: the natural consequences of
actions, and to have faith in the continuity of life after
death.
* To have Eiman in the existence of Malaika means to
believe that all the heavenly forces are in operation in
the universe to bring into reality the tasks/programs
given to them by Allah Almighty and to have faith that all
the heavenly forces have bowed before man or have been
ordered to come within his reach, or man has been made
capable of conquering them after doing research.
* To have Eiman in Anbiya / Messengers means that man’s
intellect alone cannot safely reach the destination – this
guidance has been provided in Wahi / revelation, through
the chosen people called Anbiya and whatever the Creator
and Sustainer of this universe wished to be given for the
enrichment and growth of human personality were
communicated in its most perfect form and for the very
last time through Rasool Allah, Muhammad peace be upon him.
right or wrong. The basic questions are: what is good?
what is evil? why good is good? why evil is evil?, These
questions are the topic of ETHICS where Laws according to
which OUGHT to happen are discussed. In this way ETHICS
relates more to feelings than to the concrete world and
incorporates instinctive behavior; within the purview of
Mechanistic Theory of Life. The scale of values helps to
determine which of the two goods is the higher and which
the lower. Reason tells only about relative values. Ethics
cannot even give a definite answer to the question as to
whether there are absolute values and if so, how they can
be known. It tends to define values in subjective terms,
only in relation to the particular experiencing
individual. It amounts to a tacit denial of an objective
system of values, valid for all men at all times. Islam
involves belief in objective, absolute values as moral
standard. These values are given in the Holy Quran – the
only source of our knowledge of the highest values on
which the character development is based.
Armed with adequate knowledge of values, we can, if we
want, give and act in full accord with the immutable moral
order of the universe. The knowledge does not only consist
in merely the recognition of a value as a value but
involves a just estimate of the degree of worth possessed
by it also, so that it may be compared with other values.
Confronted with a situation where we are called upon to
choose between two values, we can then promptly choose the
higher and sacrifice the lower value for the sake of the
higher. Character is strengthened by our voluntary
sacrifice of a lower value to secure a higher one. When a
man has to choose, for example, between life and money, he
does not hesitate to throw away money and save his life.
Here instinct backs his choice; but the same man may be
forced to choose between life and honour. It is a cruel
choice and the man may not reconcile himself to the loss
of either of the two extremely precious things. Choosing
the higher and sacrificing the lower value is the
character development . National reconstruction and
character development are intrinsically linked with Values
Education whether these be through democratic values,
through our system of education and curriculum at all
levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. According to the
Holy Quran, the five principles, are the five fundamental
facts which one has to accept in order to become a Momin:
1. 100 % believe in - Eiman in Allah Almighty
2. Believe in - Eiman in the law of Mukafat (law of Requital) and the life hereafter
3. Believe in - Eiman in Malaika, the heavenly forces
4. Believe in - Eiman in the revealed Books
5. Believe in - Eiman on Messengers of Allah Almighty
Where-as;
* To have Eiman in Allah Almighty means to have
conviction in His existence, to trust His every word, to
depend/trust the laws given by Him and declare that one
would obey those laws.
* To have Eiman in the law of Mukafat means to have firm
conviction in that law: the natural consequences of
actions, and to have faith in the continuity of life after
death.
* To have Eiman in the existence of Malaika means to
believe that all the heavenly forces are in operation in
the universe to bring into reality the tasks/programs
given to them by Allah Almighty and to have faith that all
the heavenly forces have bowed before man or have been
ordered to come within his reach, or man has been made
capable of conquering them after doing research.
* To have Eiman in Anbiya / Messengers means that man’s
intellect alone cannot safely reach the destination – this
guidance has been provided in Wahi / revelation, through
the chosen people called Anbiya and whatever the Creator
and Sustainer of this universe wished to be given for the
enrichment and growth of human personality were
communicated in its most perfect form and for the very
last time through Rasool Allah, Muhammad peace be upon him.
