The Prophetic ethics:Our daily challenge

"But those will prosper who purify themselves, glorify the name of   their Lord and {lift their hearts} in their prayer. Nay {behold} , you prefer the life of  this world; but the Hereafter is better and more enduring.And this is in the Books of the earliest {Revelations}, the Books of Abraham and Moses - Al-A'la - 87, 14-19

our daily challenge is how to live in this world in the way prophets of Allah from Adam to Muhammad {Peace be upon all of   them}  , The way of the prophets of Allah was one and the same. They came to give the same message  and followed the basically the same principles and values.The  way of the prop-hets was not the way of kings or rulers, the way of politicians and military commanders, the way of rich and comfortable  people. The way of prophets was different from what  we are used to seeing  and observing in this world. The way of the prophets was to uphold the real  and permanent over the ephemeral and transitory, the spiritual over the material , the moral and ethical over that brings quick profit or results. The way of the prophets was not the way of power  but the way of inner strength and energy. Their way was not the way of worldly pomp and glory but the way of humble devotion to Allah ta'ala and service of humanity. It is reported that our prophet {Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam}said "My Lordgave me nine bits of advice and i give  them to  you. He advised me-

To be sincere whether in private or in public

To do justice whether in anger of Happiness

To be moderate whether in riches or poverty

To join {in relations} with those who {try} to cut me off

To give to  those who deprive me

To forgive those who do wrong to me

That my silence be thoughtful

That my speech be mindful {of Allah}

That my vision be to take admonition  {Reported by Razeen}

These are some very important points of advice that Allah ta'ala gave to prophet {Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam}. He lived by them in his whole life. He was perfect example of these  virtues. He also gave this advice to us. This advice contains  the basic ethic  of islam, which is not an ordinary ethic but is divine and prophetic. The ethical principles given here require special effort , training and sacrifice. It is not easy or simple to live by these principles,  but they have lasting values and they bring eternal blessings. This is our ethical challenge. Our challenge is how to live by this ethic in our daily life. The challenge is not to live with these values nad principles in the situation of ease and happiness, but to live by them in all circumstances.  The challenge is to live by these principles, teach them to our younger generation and to form and build a community of faithful who are willing to dedicate themselves to them.

1. Al-Ikhlas {sincerity} : -

The first principle of the islamic ethic is sincerity , which means purity of the heart and purity of the mind. {Intention}  It means truth and honesty. Sincerity in every situation whether  alone or in public. There are many who are not sincere. They  lived the life of hypocrasy. There are some who show themselves very sincere when in public but in there private life when others are not watching them, their behaviour changes. Real sincerity comes from the fear of Allah ta'ala. In another version of this hadith, it is mentioned that prophet {Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam} said ,"the fear of Allah {khashyah} in private or in public.

2. Al-Adl {justice} :-

Justice and fair dealing is necessary with all people, with friends and foes alike, whether in happiness as well as in anger. Sometimes it is easy to talk of justicein the situation of comfort when there is no commotion or conflict, but the real challenge is to uphold justice even in relation to those who make you angry. Justice even to those who hate you and who never stop opposing and mistreating you. Justice not only in words, but in words and deeds both.

3 Al- Qasd {Moderation} :-

It is to follow the middle path. Moderation shud be in every thing ,not only in fianancial matters but in every aspect of life. In tight situations, people become extremists, upset and afraid. In affluence also, people loose control over themselves. The rich do not see the need for moderation, but moderation is good for all people in all circimstances.

4. Silat ar-Rahm {Keeping the ties of kinship} :-

These are  family ties. This means goos relations between all members of the family and taking care of those who are in need. The challenge is not only to help those relatives who are nice  or who give, but to also  give  to those who withhold and do not give anything at any occasion. Family is moral commitment. One should not be good to family members only when they are good, but even to those relatives who do not treat you well.

5. Ata {Generosity} :-

Believers are always generous. They give to all and everywhere. There is a great reward in helping people in their needs, However the extraordinary character  is to give to  those who do not give and to also give to  those who purposely deny and deprive us

6. Al-Afw {Forgiveness}  :-

It is not easy to forgive those who do wrong to us. Islam teaches that one shud forgive as much as possible, but the greatest forgiveness is when one pardons while one is capable of taking revenge and  punish. Prophet Muhammad {sallal lahu alaihi wasallam} has given us the best example of this value. He was ever willing to forgive his enemies.

7. Fikr {Thinking and reflection} :-

It is good to be silent as much as possible. To speak only when it is necessary. But silence shud be with thinking and reflection

8. Dhikr {Remembrance and speaking of Allah} :-

Our tongue is a great gift of Allah ta'ala to us. We are distinguished from animals because we can use our tongue. We shud  not only use our tongue to praise Allah ta'ala and give thanks to Him, but also keep Allah ta'ala in mind whenever we open our mouth. A lot of sins of the tongue such as lying, backbiting, gossiping, using bad words, etc come because we do  not remember Allah

9. Ibrah {Learning and taking lessons}:-

Our eyes and minds must remain open to understand things and to make lessons from the events around us. We shud be very thoughtful always.

May Allah help in this regard to follow the above points in our daily life and lead us towards righteouness. Ameen.