MORAL VALUES

(3)

a. Wisdom
b. Tolerance
c. Forgiveness
 Sequence
Introduction
Wisdom – Definition and Meanings
Virtue and the Wisdom
The Value of Wisdom in
Qur’an Some Facets of Qur’anic
Wisdom
Tolerance in Islam
Forgiveness in Islam
Conclusion
 Introduction
 In Islam, the faith in Allaah is the cornerstone of the whole
religious structure. In order to make it valid, Islam requires that
it should be founded on the unshakable certainty and conviction.

 This cannot be acquired without proper investment of the

intellect. Any stagnant or indifferent mind and any limited vision
cannot possibly reach the height of the most supreme truth
i,e.Allaah, nor can it attain the real depth of faith.

 Islam does not recognize faith when it is attained just through

blind imitation, when it is accepted blindly or unquestioningly.
This fact is very important as far as the intellectual life of man is
concerned.
 Cont…
 Islam requires faith in Allaah; and the Holy Qur’an makes
numerous statements calling for faith in Allaah. But, the
significance of such statements is not in shelving them in
the study room or even in the mind.

 Significance of such statements is that they constitute a warm

invitation and an urgent appeal to the intellect to wake and
think, to ponder and meditate.
 Cont…
 The Holy Qur’an reveals the essential truth and facts about
Allaah yet, it is equally true that it doesn’t want man to behave
like a lazy heir who makes no effort of his own.

 It wants man to enrich his intellectual wealth through serious

endeavor and honest earning, so that he may become secure
intellectually.

 Islam disapproves of easy coming faith which is bound to be

easy going.
 Wisdom Defined
Wisdom has been defined as:
 The ability to make the correct judgments and decisions as
foreseeing consequences and acting to maximize beneficial
results.

 Making the best use of available knowledge / information.

 Thinking what is best and doing what is best in any given

situation.
 Cont….
 Wisdom (Hikmah) is a positive term used repeatedly in the Holy
Qur’an, as a characteristic of the righteous ones and as a quality
of those who truly understand:
(Al Baqarah: 251, Al Nisaa’: 54, Al Maa’idah: 110,
Luqmaan:12)

 The Qur’an is referred to as:

The Wise Qur’an (Yaa Seen: 2), The Book of Wisdom (Yoonus: 2)
. and The Verses of a Book of Wisdom (Luqmaan:2)

 Wisdom is referred to as an integral component of the Message

and Guidance provided by the Divine Revelation, Allaah said:
“I taught you (Jesus) the Book, the Wisdom, the Toraah
and the Gospel (Injeel)”. (Al Maa’idah:
110)
 Cont….
 When The Prophet Abraham (AS) prayed for fulfillment of the
mission of prophets, he prayed to Allaah for one who would:
“Recite your Verses to people, teach them the Book &
Hikmah (wisdom) and Purify them.” (Al
Baqarah: 129)

 Hikmah is the lost property of a believer as the Holy Prophet

Muhammad (SAWS) said and he also encouraged us to take
wisdom from any source as it is our right to have that.

 In case of debating and argumentation with non Muslims

wisdom should be the primary instrument for the purpose.
. (Al Nahl: 125)
 Knowledge And Wisdom
 At times, the word Hikmah is also interchanged with ‘Aql’
(Thinking) as evidenced in the saying of Hazrat Ali (RA):
“The tongue of a wise person is behind his heart;
while, the heart of a fool is behind his tongue”.

 Ilm (Knowledge) and Hikmah (Wisdom):

Though ilm (knowledge) may open the doorways to hikmah,
but hikmah (wisdom) is quite distinct from ilm. Knowledge
and information provide us the means for enlightenment. So,
we must remember Allaah’s blessings and value the truthful
information sent through Qur’an and the wisdom it provides
by which we can certainly get ourselves fully enlightened.
 Cont….
 There are many who know many things, yet are lacking in
wisdom. (Greek philosopher, Democritus)

 In our age… people seem more than ever prone to confuse

wisdom with knowledge, and knowledge with information.
.
(Author and Poet, T.S. Eliot)

 Philosophy is harmonized knowledge making a harmonious

life; it is the self-discipline which lifts us to serenity and
freedom. Knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty.
. (Philosopher &
Writer, Will Durant)
 Cont….
 The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers
knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
(Isaac Asimov’s Book of Science and Nature Quotations)

 Though ‘book knowledge’ enhances the potential for wisdom;

wisdom is often attained by learning in other ways; by three
methods we may learn wisdom:
- First, by reflection, which is noblest;
- Second, by imitation, which is easiest;
- Third by experience, which is the bitterest.
(Ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius)
 Virtue and Wisdom
 Ethics is a branch of philosophy which attempts to understand
the nature of morality to define that which is right from that
which is wrong.
 The ancient Roman orator, Cicero said:
“The function of wisdom is to discriminate between
good and evil.”
 The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, suggested that the four
cardinal virtues are: wisdom, courage, self-control and justice.
 An other Greek philosopher Euripides said:
“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life,
acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can
do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man”.
 Cont….
 The wisdom in Islam, is always linked to virtue. Allaah says:

“You shall not follow any information, unless you verify it, for
hearing, sight, and the intellect, you are responsible for using
them effectively. You shall not walk with arrogance on earth –
you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the
mountains. All the impropriety of it, is condemned by your Lord.
This is of the wisdom inspired to you by your Lord. You shall not
set up another object of worship beside Allaah, lest you end up in
hell; blamed and defeated.” (Al Israa’: 36 – 39)
 The following verse highlights the high value of the one, having
been blessed with wisdom and knowledge; Allaah says:

“He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases, and he, to whom

Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good, but none
receives admonition except the men of understanding”.
.
(Al Baqarah: 269)

 Reflections from this verse:

Hikmah is translated literally as wisdom, it stands for knowledge
with the power of discerning what is true and right. It means here
the knowledge, and understanding of the Qur’an and the Sunnah
and one’s ability to speak and act in the correct and right way.
 Cont….
 Anyone who has wisdom will not adopt the narrow ways of Satan
but will follow the broad Way of Allaah.

 According to the short-sighted disciples of Satan, it is wisdom and

cleverness to be miserly with one’s wealth and to be always on the
look-out to acquire more and more of it.

 Those who are granted true wisdom, on the contrary, spend their
wealth generously in good deeds after fulfilling their own
necessities of a moderate standard.

 It is just possible that the former may enjoy a more prosperous life
here in this world but this is not the whole life. It is only a very
small portion of the real life which continues after death.
 Cont….
 Therefore, one who gets enjoyment in this short life at the
expense of happiness in the eternal life would be a big fool.

 The wise one is he who makes the best use of this short life
and makes provision for the prosperity of the eternal life,
even if he has been given a small measure of wealth here.

 Allaah says, only the men of understanding i.e. those who

have sound minds and good comprehension with which they
understand the words (of advice and reminder) and their
implications will benefit from the advice.
 Cont….
 Abdullaah Ibn e Abbas (RA) said about Hikmah (wisdom):
"That is knowledge of the
Qur’an, for instance, the abrogating and the abrogated, what is
plain and clear and what is not as plain and clear, what it
allows, and what it does not allow, and its parables.”

 The Messenger of Allaah Muhammd (PBUH) said:

“There is no envy except in two instances: a person whom
Allaah has endowed with wealth and he spends it righteously,
and a person whom Allaah has given Hikmah and he judges
by it and teaches it to others.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)
 Some Facets of Qur’nic Wisdom

The Holy Qur’an provides guidance to the mankind from

womb to tomb. The wisdom of the Holy Qur’an calls for
truth in thought and piety in action, for unity in purpose and
good will in intent.

The Book in it, the guidance is very sure, without any doubt.
Allaah Almighty says:
“This is a Book which we have revealed un to you, in order
that you might lead mankind out of the depths of darkness
into light”. .
.
(Ibraaheem: 2)
 Cont….
a. Dynamism:

One of the major characteristics of Qur’anic wisdom is that it is

not the static or dry type Its dynamic wisdom provokes the mind
and quicken the heart. There is a stirring dynamism and moving
force in its wisdom.

Allaah Almighty says:

“Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain then verily, you
would have seen it humble itself; and cleave asunder for fear of
Allaah”. (Al Hashr: 21)
 Cont….

b. Practicability:

The Holy Qur’an does not indulge in wishful thinking. Nor

do its teachings demand the impossible or float on the rosy
streams of some unattainable ideals.
Practicability of its teachings is established by the examples
of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and the Muslims
throughout the ages.

Its instructions are aimed at general welfare of man in this

world and the life Hereafter; and based on the possibilities
within his reach.
 Cont….
c. Moderation:

There is a moderation or harmony between the Divine and the

human, the spiritual and the material; and the individual and the
collective etc.
The Holy Qur’an calls the Muslims as ‘Ummat e Wasat’ i.e. the
Middle Nation”. Wisdom of the Holy Qur’an functions on three
dimensions:
a. Inwardly it penetrates into innermost recess of the heart.
b. Outwardly it embraces all walks of human beings life.
c. Upwardly it focuses on one and only Allaah the Almighty.
 Cont….

 One of basic differences between Allaah and human is that

Allaah gives, gives and forgives but human gets, gets and
forgets. Be thankful to Allaah.
 Work on understanding life's inevitable duality and accept the
negative with the good.
 Don’t harp on people's negativity, do not judge or fight them.
Let them be, look and accept. Remember, your world is no
more real than a reflection of who you are, deep inside.
 Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing
with the darkness of others.
 Tolerance
 Islam teaches us that the strongest of servants are those who not
only have the strength to suppress their anger when they are
tested but also possess an immeasurable capacity to tolerate and
forgive.

 The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that: “Whoever suffers an injury

and forgives the responsible person, Allaah will raise his status
to a higher degree and remove one of his sins”. (Tirmizi)

 When we display tolerance and forgive those who anger us,

inwardly and outwardly, then it cleanses our souls from Satan
and his negative energy. It is very important to disregard vain
criticisms and this is the first step toward being tolerant.
 Cont….
 Much emphasis has been laid on the tolerance and patience.
Truth and patience are the integral to each other. Because to
be truthful and patient, is most challenging thing as one has to
face great problems in this respect.

 One will have to face opposition, even intrigues, from vested

interests. It is, therefore, necessary, to be steadfast and patient
and face all these challenges with fortitude and courage.

 All this requires great deal of patience and the Qur'an lays
much emphasis on being steadfast and patient to follow the
path of truth. A man of great patience can be truthful.
 Cont….
 This is not done without difficulty because it is very hard to
understand why those who have caused us grievances wanted
to do so in the first place. But this is where the battle with our
inner self can take a positive turn and allow us to elevate our
faith.
 This self control is what the Prophet (PBUH) appreciated it
saying: “Powerful (or brave) is not the one who defeats his
opponent in wrestling, but powerful is the one who controls
himself at the time of anger”.
 It really involves much tolerance and fighting against the ego
just for the sake of Allah and can only be displayed to purify
the spiritual conditions.
 Forgiveness
 Islam also teaches us forgiveness i.e. answering the oppression
of others with kindness. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) inspired us
with this practice when he said :
“Allaah has ordered me to maintain ties with those who
severe ties with me, and to give to those who deprive me, and
forgive those who oppress me.”
 Allaah loves to forgive and loves those who forgive, and every
Muslim wants to both receive the forgiveness of Allaah and be
among those whom Allaah loves. Qur’an refers to those who
forgive in the following terms:
“Those who spend (in the way of Allaah) in times of ease and
. hardship, control their rage and
pardon people; Allaah loves . (such) good doers”.
(Aal e Imraan: 134)
 Cont….
 A profound example of this in Islam can be found in its penal
code: while the act of murder is punishable by death, Islam
provides a way out through blood money if the family are
willing to forgive the murderer.

 The latter is the option preferred by Allah and many families

in such a situation living in Muslim countries have chosen to
forgive on this basis, may the Allah accept it from them.
 Cont….
 To expect Allaah Almighty to forgive our constant sinning
and transgressions and yet to be unwilling to forgive others
who have merely transgressed us, is as to assume a type of
superiority; unbecoming a Muslim.

 The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned us against

prolonging the disputes with others, by saying that:
“Do not have ill-will towards one another, do not be
envious of one another, do not turn your back on one another,
O servants of Allaah, be brothers (and sisters), it is (just) not
permissible for a Muslim to remain angry with his brother
for more than three days.” (Saheeh Bukhaari)
 CONCLUSION
 In Islam the wisdom and patience address every aspect of a
Muslim’s life, from greetings to the international relations.
It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.

 A Muslim is expected to not only to be virtuous, but to also

enjoin virtue. He or she must not only refrain from evil and
vice, but must also actively engage in asking the people to
eschew them.

 In other words, they must not only be morally healthy, but

must also contribute to the moral health of society as a whole.
 Cont….
 The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWS) has summarized
the conduct of a Muslim when he said:
“My Sustainer (Allaah) has given me some commands: - to
remain conscious of Allaah whether in private or in public;
- to speak justly
whether angry or pleased; - to show moderation
both when poor and when rich; - to reunite friendship
with one who has broken off with me
- to give to him who refuses me;
- that my silence should be occupied
with thought; - that my looking should be an
admonition; - and; that I should
command what is right.”