ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

e a great mistake if Christians nowadays, as those of medieval times, continue to regardthe Qur'an as equivalent to the Bible.The Qur'an is the basic material for Muslim education. In other words, the Qur'an,especially in Arabic language, plays a very important role in educating children and othercategories of Muslims. However, Islamic and particularly Qur’anic ethics must beunderstood and evaluated not just in itself; but also in relation to what it came to replace orimprove upon. That is the ethics of pre-Islamic Arabian society. It can also be betterunderstood when compared with other ethical systems, notably the philosophical ethics ofthe Greeks and Christian ethics.Islamic Ethics is built on the Qur’an (Revealed book) and the Hadith (Life and acts ofMuhammad and his companions). These constitute the Islamic Law (Shar`ia). They mightbe more sources of this ethics (Ijma and Qiyas) but the Qur’an and the Hadith are the mostimportant. As said above, there is no Islam without the Qur’an because Islam begins inand with the Qur’an; therefore, we can convincingly state that there is no Islamic ethicswithout the Qur’an. This means that the Qur’an cannot be compared to any other text inIslam. Some scholars state that the Qur’an is the only source of Islam; the Hadith is itsfirst interpretation. Thus we limit these notes to the Qur’anic Ethics.Islamic ethics has a structure: Creation, maintenance, guidance, judgment. In otherwords, we have God’s initiative in creating the universe; He guides it. Then we haveman’s response, and God as the final end. We need structures in order to familiarize withand know the truth of the matters.1. God’s initiativeFirst, in Islam, God is well known as Akbar (He is great, one, all-knowing, almighty andabsolute). This attribute legitimates his transcendence and his being different from otherbeings. He is the Creator of all, including man. “Everything in heaven and on earthsubmits to God willingly or unwillingly” (3:83). Man is likewise called to submit to Godvoluntarily. That is why Islam is defined as submission to the will of Allah. The secondaction of God is maintenance and guidance. Allah maintains creation and guides hispeople in the right path through his Word: ”This the Book, there is no doubt, it the Book ofguidance” (S. 2:2-4). He guides them to Islam; that is to do submit to him, to do his will, tofollow his laws (Shar`ia), The expression “In sha allah”(If Allah wills) that MuslimsFrederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 56 of 85