Ethical Principles in Islam that Teach Goodness

أَخْبَرَنَا الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبُ بْنُ اللَّيْثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنِ الْقَعْقَاعِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ " . قَالُوا لِمَنْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " لِلَّهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ " .

"Religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity (Al-Nasihah), religion is sincerity." They said; "To whom, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the imams of the Muslims and to their common folk."
narrated from Abu Hurairah by Sunan an-Nasa'i━─━────༺༻────━─━

A person is considered to have perfect faith when they can fulfill the three elements of faith: confirming it with the heart, pledging it verbally, and practicing it through actions or deeds.1. Sincerety (Seriousness in worship)
Sincerity is one of the most important ethical principles in Islam. Ikhlas means seriousness in worship, that is, performing all acts of worship only to gain the pleasure of God alone, without expecting praise or recognition from others. This principle emphasizes the importance of directing our intentions and actions sincerely to Allah as the main goal.In Islam, sincerity is a strong foundation in living a spiritual life. Sincerely, every act of worship we do becomes more meaningful and valuable in front of God. Sincerity also frees us from arrogance and creates a deep sense of humility and submission. When we are able to perform worship sincerely, we will feel deep peace and happiness, because we know that all the efforts and sacrifices we make are solely for God.Sincerity also gives a positive impact in everyday life. When we carry out our duties and obligations sincerely, we will do so with full responsibility and integrity. Sincerity teaches us not to seek praise or recognition from others, but to focus on the goodness and benefits we can give to others. Sincerely, we can avoid greed, envy, and other bad intentions, thus creating a harmonious and mutually supportive environment.2. Fair (Fairness in interaction)
The principle of justice is one of the main pillars of Islamic ethics. Fair means being fair and equal in all aspects of life, both in social, economic and political relations. This principle teaches the importance of treating everyone fairly, regardless of their tribe, religion, or social status.In Islam, justice is a reflection of noble character and personality. A Muslim is taught to be a fair person in all matters, both in giving the rights of others and in resolving conflicts or disagreements. This fair principle also applies in all interactions and economic transactions, where each party must be treated fairly and there is no oppression or abuse of rights.The principle of ethics in Islam that teaches goodness, namely fairness, also has a positive impact on creating harmony and peace in society. When each individual and group gets fair treatment, a sense of mutual respect and mutual support is created. The fair principle also encourages the creation of social justice, where everyone has equal access to justice, education, employment, and other opportunities. By practicing fair principles, Muslims are expected to be able to create a just society and do good for others.3. Rahmah (Compassion and care)
The principle of mercy or compassion is one of the fundamental values in Islamic teachings. Allah SWT is praised as Most Merciful and Most Generous, and Muslims are taught to emulate His mercy in interacting with fellow humans, animals, and the environment. This principle teaches the importance of having a soft, empathetic, and loving heart towards God's creatures.In Islam, mercy is not only directed to fellow Muslims, but also to the entire human race. This principle of mercy teaches the importance of showing care and compassion to others, regardless of religion, tribe, or background. Showing grace also means respecting, helping, and taking care of the continuity of other people's lives.Ethical principles in Islam that teach goodness, one of which is mercy in Islam, also include concern for animals and the environment. Muslims are taught to care for and protect the environment, and be kind to animals. Islam encourages good treatment of animals and prohibits cruel treatment of them. By applying the principle of mercy, Muslims are expected to be able to create a harmonious, peaceful, and loving environment.4. Amanah (Honesty and Trustworthiness)
The principle of trust or honesty is one of the most emphasized values in Islamic teachings. Muslims are taught to be trustworthy people and maintain honesty in all aspects of life. This principle includes the obligation to carry out responsibilities well, comply with promises, and not abuse the trust given.
In Islam, trust does not only occur in human relationships, but also in relationships with Allah SWT.Muslims are taught to maintain trust in carrying out religious obligations, such as performing worship, obeying His commands, and maintaining the values He has set. Appreciating trust also means respecting the rights of others, both in business, government, and social relationships.The principle of trust also involves honesty in speaking and behaving. Muslims are taught to always speak honestly and avoid lies and deception. This includes honesty in conveying opinions, fulfilling promises, and being fair in all matters. By applying the principle of trust, Muslims are expected to build trust, integrity, and harmony in society.5. Tawakkal (Surrender to God)
Tawakkal is a principle in Islam that teaches Muslims to surrender completely to the will and provisions of Allah SWT. This principle involves a strong belief that everything that happens in this life is the result of His will, and that Allah SWT is in control of everything. Therefore, Muslims are taught to let go of worry, anxiety, and restlessness, as well as to entrust all matters of life to Him.Tawakkal also means trying hard and using all the abilities one has, while remaining fully dependent on Allah SWT. Muslims are taught to do their best in living life, make wise decisions, and work hard to achieve goals. However, they are also advised not to depend too much on their own efforts, but to put full trust in God and submit all results to Him.By applying the principle of trust, Muslims can find peace and strength in facing life's challenges. They believe that Allah SWT is the source of all goodness and protection, and by surrendering to Him, they feel protected and awake. Tawakkal also helps Muslims overcome excessive fear and worry, because they believe that everything that happens is part of God's better plan.

Principled moderation is one of the defining characteristics of good character in Islam

Islam teaches us to be moderate in all aspects of life, whether it’s religion, worship, relationships, ideas, or activities. Principled moderation is one of the defining characteristics of good character in Islam.
{Thus, We have made you a justly balanced community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:143]Moderation is the center point between two extremes. Every one of our virtues sits at the balanced center of two vices that stray from it. Our goal should be to find that center and always return back to it when we move away from it. Moderation is equivalent to balance and justice. That’s because justice implies balancing rights, duties and setting everything in its rightful place. Moderating our actions and practice etiquette as a muslim appear in Quran and Hadith :{Be moderate in your pace and lower your voice. Verily, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of a donkey.} [Surat Luqman 31:19].{"But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world.} [Surah Al-Qasas 28:77]This verse highlights the importance of pursuing the Hereafter while not neglecting our share of the world. Balancing both aspects involves utilizing worldly resources responsibly without being excessively attached to material possessions.{And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance)} [Surat Al-A‘raf 7:31].Part of the eating etiquette of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is clear in this hadith; “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep him going, but if he must (fill his stomach), then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for air.”Moderation and balance in Islam
Balancing Deen and Duniya

Islam and Emotional Management

Emotional interaction is inevitable. We experience emotions constantly in our daily lives in relation to events and people. But, to what extent should we allow ourselves to affect and be affected?Islam teaches moderation in everything, aiming to create equilibrium so that one is always at peace with one’s self, the universe, and Allah. It is advised to avoid extremes in negative or positive emotions, as any extremes are destructive if left uncontrolled.────────────────────────────────────────────
Here are some examples of emotional-related teachings in Islam:1. Positive Emotions
Emotions such as love, hope, enthusiasm, determination, etc., are encouraged in the Quran and teachings of the Prophet pbuh, as they result in a positive attitude for the Muslim at home, in public, and in relation to the rest of the world and all creations. The Prophet teaches that no one’s faith is complete until they love for others what they love for themselves, which is a very positive state of mind (Pure, divine love)Love in Islam may be divided into specific love and general love.❖ Types of specific love▹ Love of Allah
This is the most important obligation, as it is the basis of Islam. By perfecting one’s love of Allah, one perfects their faith. If one’s love of Allah is lacking, then one’s Tawhid (concept of Tawhid) is also lacking. The evidence for this is the verses (interpretation of the meaning):
“But those who believe, love Allah more (than anything else)” [Al-Baqarah 2:165]
The love of Allah may also take the form of preferring what Allah loves and wants of humans over what the humans might love and want. Like for example, adheres to God laws. There are many ways to strengthen this type of love.▹ Love of Prophet Muhammad pbuh
Faith is not complete until a person loves the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).▹ Love of the Prophets and the believers
We should love and respect our prophets and show compassion towards believers.❖ Types of general love▹Natural love
Such as the love of a hungry person for food, or a thirsty person for water. This does not involve any kind of glorification▹Love based on mercy and pity
Such as the love of a parent for their child▹Love based on acquaintance and friendship
Such as that between those who share a common profession or people one meets on a daily basis (such as fellow-commuters), or people one does business with, or travelling-companions.────────────────────────────────────────────
2. Negative Emotions
Anger, depression, hate, envy, etc., are strongly discouraged.A Muslim is advised to practice strict control over those destructive emotions, and to repent if they influenced deeds or attitudes towards others. To do so, one is expected to maintain strong ties with Allah, and to draw strength and support from Him at all times. If one believes there is an All-Wise, All-Knowing God, running the universe and that everything happens for a good reason within a wise and just master plan, then despair or envy or sadness could be dealt with in healthy ways.────────────────────────────────────────────
Emotional Recycling
A Muslim is instructed to take the negative energy of destructive emotions and use it as steam to move forward in a positive direction, thus turning it into positive energy. The same applies to the energy of excess positive emotions. Instead of becoming euphoric or hysterical, one should re-channel this energy to use it for something constructive, rather than let it go to waste.----
In Islam, Muslims also need to practice self awareness and knowing themselvesFour benefits of cultivating self awareness in Islam

Practice Taqwa

خَیْرُ زَّادِ الْتَّقْوَی

"The best of provision is God-Consciousness (taqwa)."
- Shah Waliullah━─━────༺༻────━─━

The term is derived from its root “waqayya” which means “to protect.” Taqwa therefore means to protect one own self from the severe punishment of Allah by following His guidance. Those who define Taqwa as “fearing Allah” look at the concept as a motive, because according to early scholars the minimum level of fearing Allah is what motivates a Muslim to fulfill obligations and keeps him/her away from prohibitions. Taqwa does not imply perfection. Those who have Taqwa are subject to commit sins. However, if they do so, they repent right away and follow up the bad deed they have done with a good deed to wipe the bad one out as mentioned in Quran Surah Hud, ayat 114: “Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.”. The person who adopts Taqwa is called Muttaqin (Arabic: المُتَّقِين Al-muttaqin).

Important pillars in Islam

❖ 6 pillars of Faith/Iman Believe in Allah, the Angels, the Prophets, the sent Books, Day of Resurrection and fate (Qadr).❖ 5 pillars of Islam witnessing (shahadah), the five daily prayers (salat), almsgiving (zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm), and the hajj pilgrimage [If you're able].Kalima shahadah (Declaration of faith)
99 Names of Allah
Practice salat/salah
Dhikr and Dua
Zakat
Fasting/Sawm
Hajj&Umrah

Major sins (Al-Kaba'ir)

1. Shirk (reverence due God directed toward those other than God[Idolatry or polytheism]);
2. Committing murder (taking away someone's life)
3. Consuming the property of an orphan placed in one's care;
4. Taking or paying interest (riba)
5. Witchcraft
6. Theft
7. Harassment of parents
8. Leaving off the five daily prayers intentionally (Salah);
9. Not paying the minimum amount of Zakat when the person is required to do so;
10. Not fasting on the days of Ramadan (without a valid reason such as medical, traveling, too young, too old, etc.);
11. Never having performed Hajj to the holy city of Mecca (within one's lifetime) while being financially able to do so (as per the Qur'an 3:97);
12. Cutting off the ties of relationships (choosing to never speak to one's parents for example and not forgive them, as all are human and make mistakes);
13. Committing zina (adultery and/or fornication);
14. Falsely Accused of zina
15. Using intoxicants (khamr), such as alcohol, or any other mind-altering drugs or harmful substances. (To harm one's body is considered sinful.)
16. Gambling
17. Lying about religion, i.e.: lying about God, Muhammad, Jesus or any of God's prophets or creations except to prevent harm to others or dissent in the community.
18. Oppression
19. Suicide
20. Arrogance, Pride, Conceit, Vanity and Haughtiness
21. Fleeing from the battlefield (Holy war towards enemies with clear reason; not an attack on innocent people)(Many deceptive people have the bad tendency to instigate lies towards among those with little religious knowledge to communities, manipulating, indoctrinating and fooling them into committing sins unknowingly. As a result, they deviate from the path of truth.)────────────────────────────────────────────

Good deeds

1. Enjoining right;
2. Forbidding evil;
3. Kindness to all others;
4. Planting trees and preserving the environment;
5. Not hunting animals except for food;
6. Never harming an animal;
7. Kindness to parents; with specific emphasis placed on kindness to one's mother;
8. Forgiving wrongs and apologizing and seeking forgiveness from those a Muslim has wronged;
9. To right one's wrongs;
10. Pick up harmful things from the road to prevent them from harming others;
11. To respect members of all religions;
12. To raise an orphan and feed the needy or charity;
13. Guiding or teaching others doing good deeds
14. Avoid saying obscene wordsThese references do not constitute all major sins in Islam or the extensive list of good deeds. There are other fifty-four other notable major sins and countless good deeds. Even the smallest act of kindness such as a friendly word or a smile is considered a good deed and rewardable kind act.

Protection from the fitna

"There shall come upon the people a time in which the one who is patient upon his religion will be like the one holding onto a burning ember."
- At-Tirmidhi━─━────༺༻────━─━

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity..”
[Qur’an; 2:286]

Trials and tribulations are an undeniable part of this worldly life. What constitutes a trial or tribulation differs from person to person, yet every person is being tested in some form or many forms–be it through ease or through hardship, in matters of health, relationships, wealth, and more. It is not just humans who are tested. We must remember that even Iblees was confronted by a testing situation and he failed by disobeying the command of Allah. There is wisdom in these tests being delivered. Trials can be a sign that Allah intends good for us, because through trials our sins are expiated and we have the opportunity to perform good deeds. Trials and tribulations are thereby a means of purification and earning nearness to Allah.Purpose and wisdom of trials and tribulations and How to keep ourselves safe from the fitna/fitan
Strengthen our Iman in times of hardships
Sweetness of Salah
Monday and Thursday fast
Sunnahs of Jummah
Sunnah Duas
I'tikaf during Ramadhan

Dajjal

The arrival of the Dajjal(The antichrist/Al-Masih ad-Dajjal) is considered one of the greatest signs of the Day of Judgment in Islamic belief. According to Islamic belief, the Dajjal, or false messiah, will emerge during times of hardship and drought on Earth, exploiting the desperation of humanity. He will seek to impersonate the true Messiah (Jesus) and deceiving many with his false claims. It is believed that most of his followers will be from certain communities(misguided). He's blind on his right eye and there's "Kafir" written on his forehead that even the illiterate muslims can read it, he will have a paradise and fire with him, but his paradise is hell and his hell is paradise. He will be accompanied by rivers of water and mountains of bread. He will order the skies to rain, and they will obey his orders. He will order the soil to sprout, and it will yield to his orders. He will have the treasures of the earth under his power, and he will move throughout the earth quickly, in addition to many other supernatural phenomena. There will be no land which will not be trampled by Dajjal (the Antichrist) but Makkah and Al-Madinah.My understanding of the Dajjal(s) in today's context is that he/they(Since there will be many before the real one came) will use various deceptive tactics.1. Manipulate people's minds away from the truth and towards falsehoods. This manipulation may make his followers believe they are "sane" or in the right path, while they are being led astray by his lies. For example: Possibly blending magic with false knowledge such as in medicine, technology, etc. in terms of today somehow they might labelled it as "science"2. Infiltrate religious circles, uttering statements that appear to align with religious teachings but actually promote what is forbidden in religion and morality, corruption through manipulation towards false history, lead religious individuals astray, causing them to commit wrongful acts3. Engage in acts of charity to gather followers, while also displaying magical feats like raising the dead, akin to Jesus himself. Will deceive people into believing that he is "God," leading them astray from the true path.
Etc.In summary, he will portray earthly pleasures or neglect of worship/faith as a form of paradise for humans on earth.To protect oneself against his influence :1. Keep your faith/iman alive.
The best way to increase our Iman is to completely submit our will to Allah by following every command in the Qur'an and Sunnah, Deepen our faith, moral and Taqwa, Dhikr and Dua, Never skip 5 times daily prayers, avoid bad deeds by continue doing good deeds, saying good words or remain silent. The reason why we should strengthen our faith, is also to guard us from the wickedness, black magic and falsehoods.
“When three things appear: the rising of the sun in its place of setting, the Dajjal, and the beast of the earth, faith will not help the one who has not previously believed or has gotten no benefit from his faith.” (Sahih Muslim)2. Supplicate/Make Dua
Prophet Muhammad pbuh supplicated to Allah in every salah (prayer), after the tashahhud (proclaiming Allah’s oneness) and before the tasleem, for protection against Dajjal (the concluding act in prayer where one says Assalamu alaykum). We can study the meaning of this dua and incorporate it into our prayers.
“O Allah, we seek refuge from the anguish of hell with you. And I seek refuge with you from the anguish of the grave, from Dajjal’s (the false Messiah’s) trial, and from the trial of life and death.” (Muslim)3. Read Surah Al-Kahf
For protection against the Antichrist, Prophet Muhammad pbuh advised us to memorise and recite the first and last 10 verses of Surah al-Kahf. He stated,
“Whoever memorises the first 10 verses of Surah al-Kahf by heart will be safe from the Dajjal.”
He said in another hadith:
“Whoever memorises the last 10 verses of Surat al-Kahf will be saved from Dajjal’s (Antichrist’s) trial.”
Furthermore, we must remember the life lessons included within the verses of Surah al-Kahf while reciting them. These lessons will assist us in deepening our faith.Avoid This
Scholars say that one of the wisdoms of reciting Surah al-Kahf for protection is because the first few verses tell the account of the cave dwellers who, rather than confronting evil, ran from it due to the magnitude of the ordeal. It's better for Muslims to avoid arrogance, thinking that they could handle The Dajjal, instead keep their humbleness by seeking Allah's protection, deepening their faith and runaway from him.
The following hadith also backs this up:
“Let him who hears of the Dajjal (Antichrist) flee from him, because I swear to Allah, a man will come to him thinking he is a believer and follow him because of the perplexing concepts he has awakened in him.” - (Abu Dawud)In summary, we should sincere belief in Allah, seeking Allah's protection, memorizing specific verses from the Quran, such as the beginning and end of Surat Al-Kahf, and avoiding the areas where he is believed to exist are recommended.Dajjal in Hadiths