Islamic Morals

Introduction of 2nd Edition

Though man, by divine inspiration or natural instinct finds out the roots of good and bad and through natural guidance, differentiates between the desirable and the undesirable, it does not mean that people can understand all the problems facing them in the field of morality by themselves without a teacher. That they can easily distinguish virtues from vices and answer all the questions in this regard. This is so because the knowledge of morals is so difficult and complex that despite deep studies by great philosophers throughout the centuries, some parts of the problem have remained unsolved even today and they have not become as clear as they should be and scholars are not able to give a definite reply to some questions pertaining to morals. Therefore, we should try to grasp their realities and subtleties from the Holy Quran and words of the infallibles

We must understand that in the school of thought of the Holy Prophets (s.a.w.s.), man is a being having two dimensions, that is to say, human nature has both a positive and a negative dimension. Man can travel upward as well as downward. In his temperament, he has inclination both toward good and bad. Man possesses both an intelligence and heart. Intelligence guides him to the good and the graceful and he also has a lustful heart, which drives him toward the bad and the lowly.

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