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al-isl§m and al-Êm§n 35belief in the existence of God and the Hereafter. This doctrine wasfirst expressed by the prophet Noah, and then reaffirmed by severalmessengers and prophets until it was finally sealed by MuÈammad(ß). 243. ‘Doing what is righteous’ ( al-#amal al-ߧliÈ).The Good WorkSince the ethical fundaments of al-isl§m have always been ignoredby our honourable scholars the following section is dedicated tostudying the third pillar in more detail. The #ulam§"s negligence ofethics meant that it was excluded from both the pillars and tenets ofal-isl§m and al-Êm§n, which is the reason why we should not brushover this important duty too quickly.‘Doing what is righteous’ ( al-#amal al-ߧliÈ) refers to the entire bodyof teachings, instructions, moral commandments and ethical idealsthat all religions have issued throughout human history. We mightcall this body the common denominator of all existing heavenly religionson earth. A person who ‘does what is righteous’ is a muslim perse—regardless of whatever specific creed he or she upholds—on conditionthat this is based on belief in the existence of God and theHereafter. Such general, absolute teachings and moral commandmentswere conveyed through the books and messages of previousprophets, starting with Noah and ending with MuÈammad (ß), achain of prophetical instructions that absorbed a steady growth ofethical norms and an increasing accumulation of moral values. Thereward for acting in accordance with these ethical ideals will be, asthe Book promises, blissful life in the gardens of Paradise. 25In terms of their hierarchy, these ethical ideals are placed as thethird pillar of al-isl§m after the statements of belief in God and theHereafter. Ethical ideas are referred to by the qur"anic phrases ‘doworship God’ (a#budå All§h) and the ‘straight path’ (al-ßir§ã al-mustaqim) 26 ,24E.g., ‘Say: “What has come to me by inspiration is that your God is One God:Will you therefore bow to his will ( fa-hal antum muslimån)” ( Al-Anbiy§" 21:108); seealso Yåsuf 12:106; Luqm§n 31:25; Al-Zumar 39:65.25‘As to those who believe and work righteous deeds, they have, for their entertainment,the gardens of Paradise’ ( Al-Kahf 18:107).26‘You do we worship (na#budu), and Your aid we seek. Show us the straight way( al-ßir§ã al-mustaqÊm).’ ( Al-F§tiÈa 1:5–6); ‘Say: “Verily, my Lord has guided me to a