Good Conduct and Key Moral Principles
1. Good Conduct
• Good things = halal
• Bad things = haram
• Muslims have a duty of obedience to God, the prophet and greater Jihad
• Muslims also believe they have personal freedom and can apply their judgement in the applica-
tion of Shariah law and identification of their own Jihad
• Jihad = to strive - striving to:
• improve oneself
• resist temptation
• reform others
• serve humanity
• restore peace
• fight justice
• become tired as a result of making an effort
• Greater Jihad = internal and spiritual - serving Allah through a life of devotion, self-sacrifice and
love and compassion for others
• “The mujahid is the person who makes jihad against himself for the sake of Allah” - Hadith of the
Prophet Muhammad
• “‘Shall I tell you what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better than fighting your
enemy?’ They said: ‘Of course’ He said, ‘The remembrance of Allah’” - Hadith of the Prophet
Muhammad
Shariah Law:
• Five-fold classification of actions:
• Fard - essential - Hajj, Salah
• Mustahab - neither encouraged or discouraged - circumcision, getting married
• Halal - blessed/allowed - meat (killed in correct way), choices in politics
• Makruh - disliked/offensive - sleeping late in the morning
• Haram - forbidden - alcohol, adultery
Shariah law seems absolutist Shariah law seems fairly relativist
Word of Allah - derived from Allah’s word and exam- Niyyah is considered - shows role of personal free-
ple of Muhammad dom
Does not stay up to date with modern day - doesn’t Relative to scholarly interpretation if new issue
adapt to non-traditional Muslim cultures
Cannot reinterpret word of Allah In giving shariah law Allah is also giving free will -
shows role of personal freedom
2. Sanctity of Life
• Muslims remember that Allah has created and designed life uniquely
• They also believe that ensoulment does not occur at conception, recognising the different stages
of foetal development
• “A soul cannot die except by Allah’s permission” Surah 3:145 - Muslims believe that they should
not end a life which is sacred and in God’s hand - playing God
• “Nor take life which God has made sacred, except for a just cause” Surah 17:33 - there are cir-
cumstances in which it is permissible - do not overstep the limits
• “God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” Surah 17:31 - they are tasked to en-
dure hardship handed to them by Allah
• Muslims must decide what is and isn’t overstepping the limits of their role of khalifahs - stewards
for Gods creation
Embryo Research/Genetic engineering, etc.
1. Good Conduct
• Good things = halal
• Bad things = haram
• Muslims have a duty of obedience to God, the prophet and greater Jihad
• Muslims also believe they have personal freedom and can apply their judgement in the applica-
tion of Shariah law and identification of their own Jihad
• Jihad = to strive - striving to:
• improve oneself
• resist temptation
• reform others
• serve humanity
• restore peace
• fight justice
• become tired as a result of making an effort
• Greater Jihad = internal and spiritual - serving Allah through a life of devotion, self-sacrifice and
love and compassion for others
• “The mujahid is the person who makes jihad against himself for the sake of Allah” - Hadith of the
Prophet Muhammad
• “‘Shall I tell you what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better than fighting your
enemy?’ They said: ‘Of course’ He said, ‘The remembrance of Allah’” - Hadith of the Prophet
Muhammad
Shariah Law:
• Five-fold classification of actions:
• Fard - essential - Hajj, Salah
• Mustahab - neither encouraged or discouraged - circumcision, getting married
• Halal - blessed/allowed - meat (killed in correct way), choices in politics
• Makruh - disliked/offensive - sleeping late in the morning
• Haram - forbidden - alcohol, adultery
Shariah law seems absolutist Shariah law seems fairly relativist
Word of Allah - derived from Allah’s word and exam- Niyyah is considered - shows role of personal free-
ple of Muhammad dom
Does not stay up to date with modern day - doesn’t Relative to scholarly interpretation if new issue
adapt to non-traditional Muslim cultures
Cannot reinterpret word of Allah In giving shariah law Allah is also giving free will -
shows role of personal freedom
2. Sanctity of Life
• Muslims remember that Allah has created and designed life uniquely
• They also believe that ensoulment does not occur at conception, recognising the different stages
of foetal development
• “A soul cannot die except by Allah’s permission” Surah 3:145 - Muslims believe that they should
not end a life which is sacred and in God’s hand - playing God
• “Nor take life which God has made sacred, except for a just cause” Surah 17:33 - there are cir-
cumstances in which it is permissible - do not overstep the limits
• “God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear” Surah 17:31 - they are tasked to en-
dure hardship handed to them by Allah
• Muslims must decide what is and isn’t overstepping the limits of their role of khalifahs - stewards
for Gods creation
Embryo Research/Genetic engineering, etc.
