Leadership and Ethics

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said:

"Man reaches thanks to his ethical conduct the level of the fasting and night-praying person."

"Nothing is heavier upon the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than his good character. Verily, Allah hates the shameless, obscene person."

In one simple sentence: "Faith is conduct" (Ad-din al mu'amalah). Ethics in Islam is one complete and integrated fabric. It encompasses all spheres of human life, and applies even in cases when it does not correspond to his selfish-interests.

The ethical conduct in Islam has two fundamental components:

1. Promoting good behavior through both words and actions
2. Protecting from harmful behavior through both words and actions

It has also four pillars:

1. KNOWLEDGE: that allows discernment between what is ethical and what is not, and being sensitive to ethical issues. Knowledge also helps build a sound set of principles to guide one's decisions and actions.
2. ALTRUISM: a generous soul towards all human beings as well as all living creatures. A readiness to sacrifice one's selfish pleasures or comfort for the well being of others.
3. PATIENCE: is needed to withstand retaliation of isolation that can occur as a result of standing up for what is right.
4. COMPASSION: Empathy and kindness that makes the compassionate person easily accept excuses from wrongdoers.

The ultimate role model of ethical conduct is embodied by the model of the Prophet Muhammad, in both words and actions, ranging from small to huge matters.

Narrated Anas Ibn Malik who served the Prophet (SAW) for ten years and testified of his great ethical character. "The Prophet had the best character. He never told me for a thing I have done why have you done it, or for a thing I haven't done why haven't you done it'"

Unethical behavior has four main sources:

1. IGNORANCE: of what is ethical and what is not. Some people see good as evil, and evil as good.
2. INJUSTICE: can be defined as the process of putting something in the wrong place. Ex: Rewarding people who do not deserve to be rewarded, and depriving those who deserve it.
3. LUST (Shahwah): in both materialistic and sexual issues. It can lead human beings to act like animals or worse.
4. ANGER: can control human behavior and alter his judgement, thus making him blind to see what is right and what is wrong.

Ethics in Islam are also self-reinforcing. It means that the believer continues to act ethically even when the risk for sanction from state or society disappears. This consistent behavior in all situations is motivated by the believers' consciousness of the omnipresence of Allah, the All-encompassing, and his desire to please God alone who loves ethical conduct, and fears to displease Him.

EXAMPLE: What happened in New York when it suddenly became deprived of power supply. Around 2 billion dollars were stolen in one night only.
On the other hand, only four cases of punishment happened in the first 600 hundred years of the Islamic civilization throughout the whole Muslim empire.

There are some factors that increase the temptation to act unethically :

• Position of authority
• Richness or poverty
• A state of worry
• Sickness (loss of balance)
• Getting older
• Unethical friends or unethical environments
• Desire to appear flawless
• Bad education (the most important factor)

The most important ethical principles are:

1. Respect for others (Not seeing them as means to attain one's selfish goals)
2. Service to others
3. Fairness
4. Honesty
5. Building a healthy society that provides peace, justice and compassion to all