Akhlaq and Islamic Ethics
Akhlaq questions combine definitions, the classification of virtues and vices, and applied cases where you must name the moral fault precisely. The exam also expects awareness of the classical ethical tradition, notably al-Ghazali and Ibn Miskawayh, and of the Qur'anic and hadith anchors for each virtue.
Core rules and concepts
- Terms: khuluq is a settled disposition (hay'ah rasikhah) producing action without deliberation; adab is the outward propriety of conduct; ihsan is doing the good well, as in the hadith 'worship God as if you see Him'.
- Cardinal virtues: hikmah (wisdom), 'iffah (temperance), shaja'ah (courage) and 'adl (justice). Ibn Miskawayh treats virtue as the mean between two extremes: courage between recklessness and cowardice, generosity between extravagance and miserliness.
- Vices of the self: kibr, 'ujb, hasad, riya', ghibah, namimah, buhtan. Ghibah is mentioning a fault that is truly present; buhtan is mentioning a fault that is not present; namimah is carrying speech between people to cause trouble.
- Tawbah: ceasing the sin, regret, resolve not to return, and restoring rights where they were violated.
- Anchors: 'the best of you are those best in character' and 68:4, 'you are of a great character'.
Worked example
A student prays well because people are watching. Diagnosis: this is riya', since the motive of showing off is present at the outset. Contrast: a student prays sincerely, is then praised, and feels pleasure at the praise. This is not riya' but 'ujb, self-admiration, and it damages sincerity only if the person begins to act for the praise. A passing thought (khawatir) is not blameworthy; entertaining and acting on it is. The examiner marks the distinction between the initiating motive and the subsequent reaction.
Traps that cost marks
- Using ghibah and buhtan interchangeably.
- Calling every feeling of satisfaction after praise riya'.
- Presenting Ibn Miskawayh's mean as a Greek import unrelated to the shari'ah; he grounds it in revealed law.
- Listing virtues without their Qur'anic or hadith evidence when the question asks for both.