Sources of Moral Commitment in light of the Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah) An Applied Study

Sources of Moral Commitment in light of the Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah)
An Applied Study
 Salwa Mahmoud Muhammad Hussein.
Department of Hadith and its Sciences, Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Female Students, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
SalwaMahmoud2688.el@azhar.edu.eg
Email: salwam1811@gmail.com
 
Abstract:
Ethicists, both past and modern, have discussed the ethics that govern moral actions extensively, differing significantly about its definition. Some argue for reason alone, some for conscience alone, and others for societal customs alone. The Prophetic tradition (Sunna) addresses this issue from a practical Prophetic perspective. Regarding reason, we find that the Prophet (pbuh) attributed to it the highest value that singles humans out; moreover, the burden of obligations fall on it, hence it is responsible for the consequences of actions. However, reason, despite its value, is constrained by divine revelation. Since people's minds differ in their nature of understanding, reason cannot be the sole source of ethical obligation. Regarding conscience, we find that the Prophet (pbuh) paid much attention to it. It is the innate internal voice that guides an individual to discern the morality of an action. Yet, as consciences differ in perceiving good and evil, it cannot be the sole source of ethical obligation. Regarding society, the Prophet (pbuh) acknowledged customs that align with Islamic law and rejected those that contradict it or might cause discord within the community. However, since societal customs change with nations, times, and places, they cannot be the sole source of ethical obligation. In conclusion, the Prophetic tradition does not reject reason, conscience, or social customs entirely as sources of ethical obligation. Instead, it rejects the independence of any of them as a sole binding source of ethics and accepts from them what aligns and coexists with Islamic law.