The
Arabic term 'Islam', meaning «submission», points to the
fundamental religious creed which dictates that a Muslim submit to the
will of Allah, conforming inwardly and outwardly to His laws. The
religion of Islm lays great emphasis on uncompromising monotheism and
strict adherence to certain creeds and acts of worship. It enjoins
submitting to the will of Allah and following the exemplary way of the
life of Muhammad, the last of the Prophets and Messengers, may peace be
on them all. Allah, the Exalted created the universe and what is in it
that He be recognized as the One and only God. He created man and jinn
only to celebrate His praise and worship Him. His words signify: "I
have only created Jinns and men, that they may Serve Me"9.
The ways and acts of worship are not left to man's option or choice.
Allah is the One Who ordains and decrees all acts of worship and the
means in which they must be observed. Since Islam deals in every aspect
of life, spiritual and physical, its jurisprudence is based on creeds,
acts of worship and ordinances regarding social, economical and
political transactions. Because Islam is a perfect way of life, it
enjoins maintaining a refined code of manners. The Messenger of 9.
turban 51: 56. Allah said: ''Verily, I have been sent to accomplish the
fine manners''. Allah
has praised the fine manners of His Messenger saying: "And surely thou
hast sublime morals''''. A'ishah. the wife of the Messenger of Allah,
peace be on him, was asked about his manners. She said: "His manners
were al-Qur'an". A'ishah meant that the Prophet, peace be on him, clung
to the Qur'an, it rules of discipline. its commands. its prohibitions,
and the excellent, beautiful and gracious things comprised in it. For
this reason Allah commands the believers to follow the exemplary life
of His Messenger, peace be on him. saying: ''Ye have indeed in the
Messenger of Allah an excellent exempler''l'. I
slam enjoins good manners for every occasion. seeking permission,
greeting, sitting, eating, learning, teaching. sporting. travelling.
dressing. visiting, sleeping, marriage, treating people, particularly
relatives and neighhours with kindness. etc. Codes of all such great
manners are found in both the Qur'an and the Prophetic traditions of
the Messenger of Allah . peace he on him. The family enjoys a high
status in Islam. It is the core of society; a healthy family means a
healthy society; hence Allah, the Exalted commands to treat them with
gentleness and submissiveness saying: "Thy Lord hath decreed that ye
worship none but Him, and that ye he kind to parents. 10. Qur'an 68: 4.
11. Qur'an 33: 21.
Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them
aword of contempt, nor repel them but address them, in terms of honour.
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''l2. Next to family comes the kindred. The Messenger of
Allah, peace be on him, said that Allah has promised to he kind to him
who behaves kindly to his kindred, and to sever him who severs his
kindred by unkind hehaviour . 12. Qur'an 17: 23, 24.
