PRINCIPLES FOR ETHICAL TRAINING

There are ample references in all the religions that provide a good basis for nurturing more spiritually evolved human beings and promoting a better society. These are the basic roles of religion. Without playing this role, religion becomes irrelevant to humanity.

For decades, I have been undertaking sessions to inculcate character-building in individuals. Here, I would like to put forward some of the principal teachings of Islam and other religions that are of relevance in this regard.

All Humankind Is a Single Family

Islam teaches that all humankind is a single family. The Quran declares: “O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul. He created its mate from it, and the two of them spread countless men and women [throughout the earth].” (4:1)

According to this Quranic verse, all human beings share a common ancestor. It means that all men and women are blood brothers and blood sisters to one another. It also means that there is complete equality between different races and groups of people.

The Prophet of Islam declared: “Mankind is a divine family.” (Musnad al-Bazzar, Hadith No. 6947) The Prophet used to rise early in the morning and say after his morning prayers: “O God, I bear witness that all men and women are sisters and brothers to each other.” (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No. 1508)

These teachings from Islamic sources can be found in other religions, too. Teachings of this kind in various religions can provide a basis for building a good relationship between people from different faith backgrounds.

In an ideal family, all its members live with a sense of oneness, a sense which inculcates in family members the spirit of unity and harmony. This family culture is also desirable globally among all the nations and religious communities of the world. Various religions endorse this kind of universal relationship. There may be some differences in terms of belief and practice between these religions, but in terms of social life, every religious individual should live in their society just as they ought to live in their family—in harmony with everyone else.

Love Your Enemy

There is a famous saying of Jesus: “But love your enemies, do good to them.” (Luke, 6:35). A similar teaching is to be found in the Quran, where it is said: “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.” (41:34)

Love or compassion is the greatest virtue, the basis of all moral teachings or requirements. Moreover, it is also a fact that this teaching is found in various religions. Therefore, if we study different religions, we will see that they try to promote love for all.

If we truly understand and appreciate this point, it can go a long way in overcoming prejudices between adherents of different religions and promoting a sense of oneness.

Do Unto Others as You would have them
do unto you.

The Prophet of Islam is reported to have said: “Do with others what you want others to do with you.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 45). The same maxim is to be found in Judaism, for instance. Rabbi Hillel the Elder is known to have said: “What is hateful (or hurtful) to you, do not do to any other man.” (Babylonian Talmud, 1918, Book 1, Ch. 2, p. 50)

This universal teaching can be found in almost every religion in some form or the other. This teaching gives us a very simple criterion for living as a good member of society and relating harmoniously with people of different faiths and communities.

Importance of Peace

The Quran lays great emphasis on peace. For example, a verse says that “reconciliation is best.” (Quran, 4:128) From this, we learn that in the event of a controversy, one should adopt a peaceful, rather than a confrontational, course of action. This concept is also present in other religions as basic teaching. For example, Christianity teaches: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” (Matthew, 5:9)

It is a fact that peace is a common teaching of various religions. It is also a fact that peace is the summum bonum or the highest good, which leads to the building of a better society. Without peace, there can be no individual or social development. Peace provides an environment where every group can flourish without harming others. Peaceful living is the most important part of moral living.