Islamic Ethics

ʿIlm al-Akhlāq (often translated as “Ethics”) is the Islamic science of character development. It incorporates psychology of the soul, purification of the heart, correct action, warding of vices, attaining virtues, and social relations within the family and society that promote harmony and justice. This science was codified by Islamic scholars from several sources: the virtue ethics tradition that was transmitted in the Graeco-Arabic translation movement, practicing aspirants who spent their lives chasing virtue, and, most importantly, the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ who was sent as an exemplar and paragon of virtues for us to imitate. Allah tells us in the Holy Qur’an that the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ was created with an exalted character [68:4].

In this course, we primarily focus on two texts: ʿAḍud al-Dīn al-Ījī’s (d. 756/1355) al-Akhlāq al-ʿAḍudiyya and Muḥammad Mawlūd’s (d. 1323/1905) Maṭharat al-Qulūb (Purification of the Heart). Students will leave the course knowing the various virtues and vices, and the means for attaining them.