The 4 Foundation of Noble Morals According to Imam Al-Ghazali

Fydeen.com - Every good deed we do must have its foundation. So it is with noble morals. Morals have foundations as foundations on which to accommodate various other noble morals on it.

Imam Al-Ghazali Rahimahullah Ta'ala 'alaihi mentioned that the foundation of all noble morals is 4, namely wisdom, courage, compassion, and balance (fairness). These 4 things are the foundation of all noble morals. 

So, what is the explanation of the foundations of these noble morals? Come on, see the following detailed explanation.

1. Balance of reason

Imam Al-Ghazali said with a balance of reason and wisdom will produce good (orderly) order. With this order, humans can practice worship to Allah properly and by Shari'a.

This is as intended in the hadith about "tadbir" (regulation) regarding human behavior and carrying out its needs, namely: 

التدبير نصف المعيشة

Meaning: Regulation is part of life. (Hadith)

This information is also taught by Allah to a wide variety of animals. So that Allah made the order in various matters of life, dwelling, food, drink, breeding, and others, Allah said:

وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ

ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Meaning: (1) And your Lord revealed to the bees: "Make nests in the hills, in the wooden trees, and in the places that man makes",

(2) Then eat of each (kind of) fruit and walk the path of your Lord which has been made easy (for you). From the bee's stomach to the outside of the drink (honey) of various colors, inside which there is healing medicine for humans. Indeed, in such a one there is a sign (of the greatness of Allah) for those who think. (QS. An-Nahl: 68-69)

See how the regularity of the bee kingdom is, this is regularity. Allah taught it to the bees, even though they had no intellect that reached the position of man. Regularity under these circumstances is needed.

That mean, this required regularity results from a balance of reason, the cleverness of reason, and progress in opinion. So is intelligence in researching deeds and interactions, and revealing the hidden ugliness of lust, all obtained by reason. 

If it is unbalanced on reason, exaggeration and overstepping limits, then there will appear a trait that likes to play tricks on others, a deception equipped with snobbery. Overdoing and going beyond the limits of reason will give birth to bad morals.

Similarly, if it is less than the balance of reason, then there will be stupidity, hoodies, or even madness. So that there is lost the enjoyment of this great intellect which is the foundation for drawing closer to Allah Ta’ala.

Therefore, we need to maintain a balance in reason, not an exaggeration that gives rise to deception and plays tricks on others, nor less that leads to stupidity and hoodies. It's a balance in reason as one of the foundations of noble morals.

2. Balanced like courage

The balance in the nature of courage can produce a trait of generosity in man. How much is connected between the meaning of courage and generosity in sacrifice and giving? Because a person dares to sacrifice his soul is not difficult for him to sacrifice treasure. 

Generosity and courage to help others and save them is an honor. Likewise, against lust, being able to restrain oneself, is all due to controlling the power of the nature of courage, being wise, determined, controlling emotions, and being authoritative. All these morals result from a balance of power in courage. 

However, if it is excessive in the nature of courage then it will act oppressively and lead itself to destruction. There appears snobbery in appearance and feels high.

As for if his courage is lacking or lost, then there will arise from his disgrace, humility, feeling inferior, and refraining from getting what he is obliged to get. Then there will appear a variety of bad morals due to excessive courage.

Likewise, bad morals arise due to a lack of courage. Then it should not be superfluous and not lacking. With that, you understand the meaning of "wasathiah" (balance) in religion.

Because it is built in the middle, it is not superfluous and no less. Thus, it will smooth his journey towards Allah Almighty and his position will be good among the people. His life will be harmonious with others, avoiding each other's ugliness. 

3. Balanced on Iffah (Keeping honor)

The third foundation of noble morals is balanced in iffah (maintaining honor ). If balanced, generosity is aided by this trait, is a shame, patience, and forgiveness for matters relating to his rights.

Feeling satisfied with what Allah made easy for him, wara' (introspection of things that are still doubtful), helping others, giving and receiving, well, in the hadith, it is stated:

 روى جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: «رحم الله رجلا سمحا إذا باع، وإذا اشترى، وإذا اقتضى

Meaning: From Jabir bin Abdullah radhiallahu 'anhuma, indeed the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said "Allah pays for a person who makes it easy if he sells, makes it easy when buying, when paying, when collecting". 

However, If this trait is excessive in iffah, then there will appear vices such as being greedy, storing ugliness in the mind, also producing redundant nature, also producing riya'.

Likewise, excessive iffah can lead to vain deeds, trying to own, feeling low in front of the rich, and degrading the poor. This all results from the absence of honor-preserving traits.

4. Balanced (Fair) on every noble character

The foundation of the latter's noble morals is balanced (fairness); that is, to be balanced on reason, courage, and to preserve honor, and justice in all such matters. And other morals are only branches of it.

Imam Ghazali said he would not achieve a perfect balance in these 4 things, except for the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He didn't say "not achieving balance", many people achieved balance.

All the Prophets, the shiddiq people, and those who are close to Allah Almighty. Many servants of Allah achieved a balance in this nature. However, the perfection of the balance of all these qualities was only achieved by our prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. 

Achieved by him who was taught manners by his Lord with the best of teachings, then perfection is in him and the place of human perfection is in the leader of mankind, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Well, those are the 4 foundations of noble morals, hopefully useful. (Habib Umar)

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