Discuss Islamic ethical teachings

Resource Description

Discuss Islamic ethical teachings in ONE area. Choose from bioethics; environmental ethics; sexual ethics. (20 Marks)

Ethical teachings play a significant role in the life of each Muslim and their daily practices. The constant desire to achieve permanent consciousness and awareness of Allah (Taqwa) as well as complete submission provides the foundation for all Islamic teachings, especially those concerning bioethics. The ultimate goal of Islam is to gain complete submission to Allah (Tawhid) and to fulfill his duty. Tawhid is the foundational belief for all bioethical issues. This motivation means Islam is a constant in each Muslim’s life and influences their actions and decisions. Similarly, the belief of the afterlife and the fact that all individuals will be called to account before Allah impresses the need for strict adherence to the ethical instructions of Allah in order to ‘enter paradise’.

Islamic bioethical decision-making is carried out within a framework of values derived from revelation and tradition.  It is intimately linked to the broad ethical teachings of the Qur’an and the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, and thus to the interpretation of Islamic law. Through consultation of the processes of Islamic jurisprudence and therefore the Qur’an, Sunna, consensus (Iijma) and analogy (Qiyas); a Muslim is able to determine a ‘right’ or moral decision concerning a range of bioethical issues. Such issues include the morality of abortion, euthanasia and In-vitro fertilization (IVF). The constant ‘struggle’ of Jihad, exists in each individual Muslim adherent to research and act upon an ethically informed decision, in sight of Islamic teachings.