Gracious, The Most Merciful
Islamic Virtues
There is no better way to learn about Islam than to read the Holy
Qur'an and to observe the practices of a devout Muslim. Unfortunately,
the many stereotypes, misconceptions, and misrepresentations prevalent
today serve as a great barrier that prevent non-Muslims from understanding
the truth about Islam. Lack of access to an English translation
of the Qur'an and, moreover, to a knowledgeable Muslim who represents
Islam well may also be factors. Therefore, it is a hope that this
pamphlet will assist those who desire to know exactly what the Qur'an
teaches and how a practicing Muslim is supposed to act.
The Holy Qur'an, the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad almost
1400 years ago, is an instruction book for people of all times and
all places as to how one can live their life correctly. It contains
therein, among other things, the qualities that one should adopt
in order to please the Creator and to obtain true peace on Earth.
The ultimate result from a sincere striving towards such qualities
would be the fulfillment of the human being's purpose in this life
(submission to the One God) and the attainment of the reward in
the next life (eternal Paradise!)
This brief work is meant to convey the moral standard by which
the conscious Muslim lives his or her life according to. These moral
teachings have been extrapolated from the Holy Qur'an, a book which
Muslims believe is the final revelation of the Creator to His creation.
Muslims use this book as a standard for correct faith and action
because they have a firm belief that the Creator knows what is best
for His creation. In the Holy Qur'an, God says, "Verily this
Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right" (17:9). Muslims
believe that only when humanity believes in the One God and sincerely
follows the teachings of this divine book, will all the problems
of the world then be solved.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth."
(2:60)
"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all
that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong."
(3:104)
"Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors
who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your
side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess."
(4:36)
"[God] forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion:
He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." (16:90)
"Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he
who is) the most righteous of you." (49:13)
GENEROSITY
"Give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned,
and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you."
(2:267)
"If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but
if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need,
that is best for you ." (2:271)
"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give
(freely) of that which ye love." (3:92)
"Those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they
are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)
"[Do not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!"
(74:6)
GRATITUDE
"Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and
be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship." (2:172)
"Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final)
Goal." (31:14)
"[God] liketh not ingratitude from His servants: if ye are
grateful, He is pleased with you." (39:7)
CONTENTMENT
"In no wise covet those things in which God hath bestowed His
gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted
what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask God of His
bounty." (4:32)
HUMILITY
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for God loveth
not those who trespass beyond bounds." (7:55)
"Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate
themselves in adoration." (15:98)
"The servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on
the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they
say, 'Peace!'" (25:63)
"Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches)."
(28:76)
"Swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence
through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster."
(31:18)
KINDNESS
"God loveth those who are kind." (5:13)
"Be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old
age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them,
but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower
to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them
Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" (17:23-24)
"We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail
upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his
weaning." (31:14)
"Treat not the orphan with harshness, nor repulse him who
asks." (93:9-10)
COURTESY
"When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a
greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy.
God takes careful account of all things." (4:86)
"Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that
the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh
at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former):
nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by
(offensive) nicknames." (49:11)
PURITY
"Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow
the footsteps of the Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy."
(2:168)
"[God] loves those who keep themselves pure and clean."
(2:222)
"When ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands
(and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash)
your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity,
bathe your whole body... God doth not wish to place you in a difficulty,
but to make you clean." (5:6)
GOOD SPEECH
"Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things
that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them."
(17:53)
"[The believers] have been guided... to the purest of speeches."
(22:24)
"Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter."
(104:1)
RESPECT
"Say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned:
'Do ye (also) submit yourselves?' If they do, they are in right
guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message."
(3:20)
"Enter not houses other than your own, until ye have asked
permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order
that ye may heed (what is seemly). If ye find no one in the house,
enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to go
back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves."
(24:27-28)
"Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some
cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each
other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh
of his dead brother?" (49:12)
WISDOM
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious."
(16:125)
TOLERANCE
"Say: 'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between
us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners
with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons
other than God.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that
we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" (3:64)
"If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed,
all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their
will, to believe!" (10:99)
JUSTICE
"Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as
against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it
be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow
not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve." (4:135)
"God loveth those who judge in equity." (5:42)
"Take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way
of justice and law." (6:151)
MERCY
"If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is
easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that
is best for you if ye only knew." (2:280)
"We ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye,
nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for
equal.' But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity,
it is an act of atonement for himself." (5:45)
"Overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness."
(15:85)
"Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom
and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!"
(41:34)
"(It is) for those who believe and put their trust in their
Lord... when they are angry even then forgive." (42:36-37)
"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in
degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his
reward is due from God: for (God) loveth not those who do wrong."
(42:40)
DIGNITY
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to
fight), because they are wronged." (22:39)
"If any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done)
to them, against such there is no cause of blame." (42:41)
COURAGE
"(It is) for those who believe... when an oppressive wrong
is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves."
(42:36-39)
FIRMNESS
"How many of the Prophets fought (in God's way), and with them
(fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if
they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in will)
nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast."
(3:146)
"Bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this
is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs." (31:17)
FRANKNESS
"Fear God, and make your utterance straight forward: That He
may make your conduct whole and sound." (33:70-71)
HOPE
"Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction
to those who fear God. So lose not heart, nor fall into despair:
For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith." (3:138-139)
"What is with you must vanish: what is with God will endure.
And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere,
their reward according to the best of their actions." (16:96)
PATIENCE
"Seek (God's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It
is indeed hard, except to those who are humble, who bear in mind
the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are
to return to Him." (2:45-46)
"Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger,
some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give
glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted
with calamity: 'To God We belong, and to Him is our return'. They
are those on whom
(descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy." (2:155-157)
"Pray for help from God, and (wait) in patience and constancy:
for the earth is God's, to give as a heritage to such of His servants
as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous." (7:128)
PERSEVERANCE
"On no soul doth God place a burden greater than it can bear.
It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that
it earns." (2:286)
"Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions
and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that
will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and
from those who worship partners besides God. But if ye persevere
patiently, and guard against evil, then that will be of great resolution."
(3:186)
DISCIPLINE
"Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do
good; that ye may prosper. And strive in His cause as ye ought to
strive, (with sincerity and under discipline)." (22:77-78)
SELF-RESTRAINT
"Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." (2:183)
"[Do not follow] the lust (of thy heart), for it will mislead
thee from the Path of God." (38:26)
"For such as had entertained the fear of standing before their
Lord's (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires,
their abode will be the Garden." (79:40-41)
BALANCE / MODERATION
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors." (2:190)
"Commit no excess: for God loveth not those given to excess."
(5:87)
"And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who...
when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold
a just (balance) between those (extremes)." (25:63-67)
"Seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the
Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but
do thou good, as God has been good to thee." (28:77)
PRUDENCE
"When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future
obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing...
whether it be small or big; it is juster in the sight of God, more
suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among
yourselves." (2:282)
"If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain
the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become
full of repentance for what ye have done." (49:6)
UNITY
"Hold fast, all together, by the Rope which God (stretches
out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember
with gratitude God's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined
your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren."
(3:103)
FRUGALITY
"Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities."
(4:29)
"Waste not by excess: for God loveth not the wasters."
(6:141)
SINCERITY
"God will never change the grace which He hath bestowed on
a people until they change what is in their (own) souls." (8:53)
"Woe to the worshippers... who (want but) to be seen."
(107:4-6)
RESPONSIBILITY
"Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner
therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares
in its burden." (4:85)
LOYALTY
"Fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be
inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)." (17:34)
TRUSTWORTHINESS
"If one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let
the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him fear God."
(2:283)
"God doth command you to render back your trusts to those
to whom they are due." (4:58)
HONESTY / FAIR-DEALING
"Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when
ye know (what it is)." (2:42)
"Take not your oaths, to practice deception between yourselves."
(16:94)
"Truly many are the partners (in business) who wrong each
other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness,
and how few are they?" (38:24)
"Woe to those that deal in fraud, - Those who, when they have
to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they
have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due."
(83:1-3)
REPENTANCE
"Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance;
that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed
." (11:3)
"Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds
of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn
to Him again and again (in true penitence)." (17:25)
SPIRITUALITY
"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men
of understanding, - Men who celebrate the praises of God, standing,
sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders
of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): 'Our
Lord! not for naught hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee!'"
(3:190-191)
"Establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful
and evil deeds; and remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in
life) without doubt." (29:45)
"True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with
ordinary duties: But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and
devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly. (He is) Lord of the East
and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy)
Disposer of Affairs." (73:7-9)
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