MORAL AND ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIETY
Inter-faith Partnership
ALL the major religions have two different aspects to them — theology and the moral scheme. Theology means the set of beliefs or doctrinal base of a religion; in other words, the inner contents of a religion. Whereas, the moral scheme of a religion refers to its ethical system.
In terms of theology, there are differences between religions. For example, some religions have the monistic concept of God, while other religions believe in the monotheistic concept of God.
Differences lead to intellectual exchange and intellectual development.
Differences of this kind have always been the subject of discussion among theologians and no doubt, they will continue to be so in the future. But like other intellectual discussions about differences, these are basically confined to scholars, having nothing to do with the common people. Most people can live out their daily lives without concerning themselves with, or even without knowing about these issues. These issues are the concern of a few individuals and not of the majority of any society.
However, these differences are not simply matters about which people are at odds with each other; they also have a positive role to play. Differences invite discussions, lead to intellectual exchange and necessitate knowing more and more about one’s own religion as well as the religion of others. Thus, differences, in terms of results, leads to intellectual development, enhancing the level of thinking. It leads to overall development in religious disciplines. In fact, difference is not an unwanted evil. On the contrary, it is a great good. Difference has a positive role in religious studies.
The other aspect of any religion is its ethical system. That is, the standard of moral conduct. In this area, there is little difference between religions. Almost all the religions preach the same moral values to be followed in the daily life of a man or a woman.
There are two main branches of religions: the Aryan religions and the Semitic religions. A study of both branches of religions shows that in terms of moral teachings, there are great similarities between them, and likewise with Islam. For example:
Mankind as one family
Islam teaches that all mankind 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 from the two of them spread countless men and women [throughout the earth].
(THE QURAN 4: 1)
It means that all men and women share a common ancestor. That is, all men and women are brothers and sisters to one another. There is complete commonality between different races and groups of people.
The Prophet of Islam declared:
Mankind is a divine family.
(Hadith-Al Baihaqi 6: 2528)
The Prophet of Islam used to rise early in the morning and say after his morning prayer: “O God, I bear witness that all men and women are sisters and brothers to each other.” (Hadith-Abu Daud 1508)
In terms of theology there are differences between religions; however, almost all religions preach similar moral values.
These references quoted from Islamic scriptures, are the same teachings which you can find in other religions like Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity, etc. Common teachings of this kind in all the religions provide the initial base of a good relationship between all men and women. In a 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 desirable on a global level among all nations and races. This kind of universal relationship is endorsed by almost all the religions. There may be some differences in belief, but in terms of social life, every religious individual—irrespective of his personal traditions— should live in society just as he is living in his family.
Love and Compassion
There is a famous saying of Jesus Christ:
Love your enemy.
(NEW TESTAMENT, Luke 6: 35)
It means: love all, including your enemy. Likewise, the same teaching is to be found in the Quran. The Quran in one of its chapters gives this guidance to its believers:
Good deeds and bad deeds are not equal. Do a good deed in return for a bad deed and you will see that your enemy has become your dearest friend.
In a family, all its members live with a sense of oneness, which inculcates the spirit of unity and harmony.
Love or compassion is the greatest social value; it is the basis of all moral teachings or moral requirements. And it is also a fact that this teaching is found in every religion. If you study the various religions, you will find that all of them try to promote a ‘culture of love’ in society. To build a love-based society is the sole target of every religion.
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you
The Prophet of Islam once said:
Do with others what you want others to do with you.
(Hadith–Sahih Muslim, 12)
The same maxim is to be found in Judaism. Rabbi Hillel the Elder is known to have said: “What is hateful (or hurtful) to you, do not do to any other man.” (Talmud-Shabbat, 31a)
This is a universal teaching, which you can find in almost every religion, in one verse or the other. This religious teaching gives us a very simple criterion for living as a good member of society.
Everybody knows what is good for him and what is bad for him. Apply this personal experience to all other members of society. If everyone observes this formula of moral conduct, the whole of society will emerge as a good society. This common religious rule is the simplest for social construction.
Peace at any cost
The Quran lays great emphasis on peace. For example, there is a verse in the Quran which says:
Peace is the best.
(THE QURAN, 4: 128)
That is, in the case of controversy, adopt the peaceful rather than the confrontational course of action. This concept has also been adopted by other religions as their basic teaching. For example, let us take Christianity. In one of the chapters of the New Testament, there is the following verse:
Blessed are the peacemakers.
(NEW TESTAMENT, Matthew 5: 9)
It is a fact that peace is a common teaching of all the religions. It is also a fact that peace is the summum bonum; peace is the greatest good which leads to the building of a better society; without peace there is no development. Peace provides the environment in which every group can flourish without being harmful to others; peaceful living is the most important part of moral living.
Good Social Behaviour
Moral development is not simply a matter of individual conduct towards others. It is profoundly related to the development of an individual’s personality. When one engages in good social behaviour, one is in the process of self-development. Good social behaviour is thus a great aid to the building of one’s character. Good social behaviour means positive behaviour; and positive behaviour inculcates positive thinking in every man and woman. Good social behaviour makes one a good human being.
Human society is based on a well-known maxim—give and take. When you give something to others you create a situation in which you certainly garner positive fruit in return. The relationship between an individual and society is one of interchange; both the partners give something to the other and receive something from others, so it is a reciprocal relationship.
The establishment of a harmonious relationship between all the members of society is a common requirement of all religions. No religious activity can be carried out without normal social conditions. It is, therefore, in the best interests of all religions for moral behaviour to be recognized as the greatest means of normalizing the relationship between different sections of a society and ensuring peaceable living conditions. So, in view of this, every religion teaches its members to adopt a good moral standard.
There are ample references in all religions that provide us with a good base for building a better society through partnership. This is the basic role of every religion. Without playing this role, religion becomes irrelevant to humanity.
Love is the greatest social value; the basis of all moral teachings and requirements.
The above commonalities amongst religions provide a base for the development of a harmonious society. However, in order to administer and regulate practical matters in society the role of a suitable political administration cannot be denied.
Different roles of Religion and Political Administration
Religion and political administration are the two basic instruments by which every society is regulated. Both have a very important role. Religion being intended to build a moral base for society, it is the duty of religious people to condition the minds of the people on a moral basis. It is their duty to create an ethical atmosphere in society and to promote human friendly behaviour among all the members of society.
Political rule has a basic regulatory function in the practical matters of a nation. It is put in place to maintain peace and harmony among the people and to ensure justice and check crimes. No religious institution can play the role of political masters. And no political master—given the limitations of political administration—can play the role of a religious institution. Both the institutions have their specific roles and both institutions are complementary to each other. It is the complementary roles of the two institutions that ensures building of a better society.
