Ways
of
Acting

You know,

just because we've thought a lot about something

that doesn't mean we've thought about a lot of it,

and with the Deen so vast and varied

there's a lot of it to think of.

So what we've thought about it so far

has been very little of the various ways of life

that have shaped themselves around the Deen.

And life can be so complicated,

yet there are ways of acting

that are recognisable as following the Deen

whatever the culture in which they are expressed.

These are ways of behaving that are learned and practiced from early childhood,

such as keeping clean, telling the truth, and being obedient to parents.

We are taught to practice good ways of behaviour,

right actions like being generous

and showing loving kindness,

and as we grow

we learn to co-operate with others,

to be punctual and to keep our promises,

to show forgiveness

and try to reconcile enemies.

From childhood to adulthood

we search for knowledge

and show good manners

and have good humour.

At the same time we learn of the actions to be avoided,

such as lying and stealing and cheating,

backbiting, mockery and showing off,

extravagance and gambling,

drinking alcohol

and being hypocritical.

But that's really just the beginning,

it's so easy to come up with a long list

of actions that would be better avoided,

so we've just touched the tip of an iceberg.

Thinking about any actions we are considering taking

and deciding whether they are good or bad,

and doing what is good and avoiding what is bad

is a central part of the muslim way of life.

But a contributing factor in that decision

is the adab of the culture in which it is situated,

in the way that certain actions will give offence in certain cultures but not in others.

The adab of our culture is the context in which we act,

and our way of life must be adapted accordingly.

But the principles on which our actions are based

are set out in God's Message,

and if we stick to them

and judge the actions in our lives by those criteria,

Insh'Allah our actions will not go too far wrong.

Why would we give away what we've got, or not take what we want?

Why is worshipping other gods along with God so bad?