Islamic Moral Education I – SS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Islamic moral education is the teaching of good character (akhlaq) based on the Qur’an, so that Muslims become kind, honest and fair.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain why Muslims must be kind to their parents;
2. state the teachings of Q17:23-29 on respect for parents, generosity and spending;
3. state the meaning of Q2:42 and Q61:2-3;
4. explain why Islam wants Muslims to be honest in words and deeds;
5. list the lessons from the verses on honesty.

What is Islamic moral education?

Islamic moral education is the training of a Muslim in good conduct as taught by Allah in the Qur’an.

• Kindness: being good to everyone, and to parents in particular.
• Generosity: giving to those who have a right to our help.
• Moderation: spending neither wastefully nor stingily.
• Honesty: speaking the truth and doing what one says.
• Fairness: treating people justly in words and actions.

What does Islam teach about kindness to parents?

Islam teaches that every Muslim must be kind and respectful to his or her parents, because of the labour they put into raising a child.

• Source of the teaching: Q17:23-29 teaches kindness to parents, and goodness and generosity in general.
• Reason: parents carry, feed, protect and train the child when the child is weak and helpless.
• Link to worship: in Q17:23, kindness to parents comes straight after the command to worship Allah alone.

How should a Muslim treat his or her parents?

• Speak respectfully: never say a word of disrespect, such as “uff”, and never shout at them.
• Speak honourably: use kind and gentle words, especially when they are old.
• Be humble: lower the wing of humility to them through mercy.
• Pray for them: say “My Lord, have mercy on them as they showed to me when I was young.”
• Care for them in old age: look after their needs when they can no longer manage alone.

What are the teachings of Q17:23-29?

Q17:23-29 teaches worship of Allah alone, kindness to parents, generosity to the needy and moderation in spending.

Transliteration and translation of Q17:23-29

Verse 23

Waaqada rabbuka’alla ta’abudoo illa iyyahu wabialwalidayni ihsanan imma yablughanna aaindaka alkibara ahaduhuma aw kilahuma fala taqul lahuma offin wala tanharhuma waqul lahuma qawlan kareeman

Translation: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them honourably.”

Verse 24

Waikhfid lahuma janaha alththulli mina alrahhmati waqul rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheeran

Translation: “And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy and say: My Lord, have mercy on them as they showed to me when I was young.”

Verse 25

Rabbukum a’alakum bima fee nufoosikum in takoonoo saliheena fainnahu kana lilawwabeena ghafooran

Translation: “Your Lord knows best what is in your inner heart. If you are righteous then verily, He is ever forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience and repentance.”

Verse 26

Waati tha alqurba haqqahu waalmiskeena waibna alssabeeli wala tubaththir tabtheeran

Translation: “And give to the kinsman his due, and to the poor and the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully in extravagance.”

Verse 27

Inna almubaththireena kanoo ikhwana alshshayateeni wakaana alshshaytanu lirabbihi kafooran

Translation: “Verily, the extravagant are brothers of the devil and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”

Verse 28

Waimma tu’aridanna ‘anhumu ibtighaa rahmatin min rabbika tarjooha faqul lahum qawlan maysooran

Translation: “And if you (Muhammad) turn away from them, and you are awaiting mercy from your Lord, for which you hope for them, speak unto them a kind, soft word.”

Verse 29

Wala taj’al yadaka maghloolatan ila ‘aunuqika wala tabsutha kulla albasti fataq’auda malooman mahsooran

Translation: “And let not your hand be held to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that you become blameworthy and not in severe.”

What are generosity, extravagance and miserliness?

Generosity is giving freely to those who deserve help, in the right amount and for the right reason.

• Extravagance: spending money wastefully, for example on show or on useless things.
• Miserliness: refusing to spend even on needs and on those who have a right to help. Q17:29 describes this as a hand held to the neck.

Who are those entitled to our help in Q17:26?

• The kinsman: a relative who needs support.
• The poor (miskeen): a person who lacks enough to meet his or her needs.
• The wayfarer (ibn as-sabil): a traveller who is stranded and in need.

Why must Muslims be honest in words and deeds?

Muslims must be honest in words and deeds because Allah commands truth and hates the saying of what one does not do.

• Honesty in words: telling the truth and never hiding it when one knows it.
• Honesty in deeds: doing what one has promised or said.
• Fairness: giving everyone what is due to him or her, for example full measure in the market.
• Proof from the Qur’an: Q2:42 and Q61:2-3 confirm this.

Transliteration and translation of Q2:42

Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoo alhaqqa waantum ta’alamoona

Translation: “And do not mix the truth with falsehood nor conceal the truth when you know.”

• Meaning: a Muslim must not confuse truth with lies, and must not hide the truth knowingly.

Transliteration and translation of Q61:2-3

Verse 2

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo lima taqooloona ma la taf’aaloona

Translation: “O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?”

Verse 3

Kabura maqtan ‘ainda Allahi an taqooloo ma la taf’aaloona

Translation: “It is most hateful in the sight of Allah to say that which you do not do.”

• Meaning: a believer’s actions must match his or her words.
• Example: promising to pay back a loan and then refusing to do so.

Commentary on the verses on honesty in words and deeds

1. Truth and falsehood are not the same.
2. Truth is a virtue while falsehood is a vice.
3. Dishonesty stunts the growth of society.
4. It is not good to say what one did not do.
5. Honesty is virtuous and beneficial.
6. Lying is bad and harmful.
7. The victim of a lie is unduly punished, and dishonesty is a crime as well as a sin.

What are the benefits of honesty and kindness in society?

Honesty and kindness build trust, peace and unity among people.

• Trust: people believe and deal with an honest person.
• Peace at home: respect for parents keeps the family united.
• Fairness: innocent people are not punished by lies.
• Reward from Allah: Allah forgives those who turn to Him in obedience and repentance (Q17:25).

Evaluation

1. According to Q17:23, how should a Muslim speak to parents who have reached old age?
2. What does Q17:27 say about the extravagant?
3. State the meaning of Q2:42.
4. What does Q61:3 say about saying what one does not do?
5. State four points from the commentary on honesty in words and deeds.

Assignment

1. Using Q17:23-24, write a short note on how a Muslim should treat his or her parents.
2. In your own words, explain why Islam says it is hateful to say what you do not do.