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Posted At: 7:48pm by TripletThree
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I wrote this for a class and it's been requested that I post it to start a discussion. (That, and the poor blog feels neglected...)
Ethics and the Qur’an: Following the Will of Allah
Stringent legalism clearly defines the Qur’an’s (also called the Koran) dictates on ethics, permeating the Five Pillars of Islam. The Pillars cover everything from prayer life to fasting to pilgrimages. The Qur’an is not applied as strictly as it once was; however, it is still applied to the daily life of Muslims.
The First Pillar (Shahada) simply states that “there is no god but Allah and his prophet is Muhammad.” This sets the stage for the other Pillars. If Allah is the only god, then he must be obeyed without question. Notice that nothing is said of Allah’s mercy, only that he is god. Disobeying him has serious consequences.
Salat, the Second Pillar, requires Muslims to pray five times a day and provides instructions on how to pray. They include praying at set times and facing Mecca (also Makkah). Under the Third Pillar (Zakat), Muslims are obligated to give a 2.5 percent tithe, although, in recent times, people are allowed to pay whatever they desire.
Similar to the others, Sawm, the Fourth Pillar, regulates the activity of Muslims during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat, drink, or engage in sexual activity during daylight hours. A final regulation of the Muslim’s life is the Fifth Pillar (Hajj). Under this Pillar, each Muslim is absolutely required to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime, although, once again, in recent times, this only applies to those who are physically and financially able to do so.
These Pillars have a huge impact on the ethical system of Muslims and is representative of the entire Qur’an. A religion based on justice rather than grace will have ethics that follow suit. The wrongdoer is punished harshly and without mercy, and the laws he must follow are rigid and unforgiving. The Pillars are a prime example of this, as they set out to govern the whole life of the Muslim.
In Christianity, such things as prayer and fasting are things one does for one’s own spiritual edification, not because it is commanded. In other words, the direction is from God to man rather than the other way around. When a religion’s direction is strictly from man to god, their ethics will be much harsher because man must have guidelines to follow so that his god is pleased with him. Man must also be able to keep these guidelines. The Five Pillars of Islam are within human capabilities, thus making it possible for a Muslim to do what Allah desires.
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Posted On: March 06th, 2006 at 9:51pm by Nathaniel [ + ] |
Great post T3. 
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Posted On: March 09th, 2006 at 10:05am by john pawlitz |
"The Five Pillars of Islam are within human capabilities..." --well put. It should also be noted that a lot of what Islam teaches, such as fasting, tithing, and praying, is not wrong per se, but the spirit (or lack thereof) in which they do it is false.
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Posted On: October 13th, 2006 at 7:02am by Grace H. [ + ] |
"there is nogod but Alla and his prophet is
Muhammad."they are very holy in Islam.
Muslims to pray five times a dayand provides
instructions on how to pray. But the Christians
should not do this thing. Why Muslims does this?
Is this mandetory?
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